Vacation

Germans seem to really value their vacation time, which is a good reason to work here! After the first six weeks of class, my school had its fall break. So, what did I do for my first vacation as a European resident? I did what is arguably the most American thing possible:  I went on a cruise.

This cruise, though, went to several places in Europe I'd never been to before, like Taormina (Sicily):



For a moment I felt like I was back in Tlaquepaque, Mexico...




or maybe it was Guanajuato?

After a day at sea, we moved on to Chania (Crete):

Look at all of those fish!

Then came my favorite, Ephesus:

The Library of Celsus

Mosaic floor in front of ancient shops and homes

About to have lunch in the country

It was good!

We were originally supposed to be in Athens on Wednesday, but the itinerary changed because of strikes in Greece that day.  We encountered no problems in Athens on Friday...unless you count the hordes of tourists as a problem.

 We went to the Acropolis in the morning, but 10 a.m. wasn't early enough to beat the crowds. That place was packed!

I returned to Germany on Sunday with a little sunburn, lots of pictures, good memories with friends, and a few extra pounds.  The week went by too quickly! Our visits to the shore were too short, and it always seemed like we had to hurry to make it back to the ship, but at least now I know what I want to do next time I am there! 

The Rhine River Cruise (a.k.a. the Castle Tour)

Although I have only been in Germany for about six weeks now, I am worried that soon I'll become blasé about seeing beautiful things, because they are everywhere! A case in point: Saturday I went on a Rhine River tour from Rüdesheim to St. Goar.  I was amazed at all of the castles that date back several centuries (this is probably due to the fact that I come from a place where nearly any building over 100 years is considered worthy of special recognition.)



Castle Ehrenfels



Mäuseturm








Rheinstein Castle



Reichenstein Castle



Sooneck Castle






Strahleck castle



  

Furstenberg Castle



 

tower in Oberwesel

 

















Schönburg Castle--I am sure it looks more schön when the sun is cooperating

 



Burg Katz





Way up there is Burg Rheinfels

 
All of that, in a tour that only lasted a few hours! We ended our cruise at St. Goar and checked out Burg Rheinfels up close. You can pay for a fun trolley ride up to it, or you can hike it for free. A sign in St. Goar said walking up would take 15 minutes...it is not true, and it is not especially easy after some wine on the cruise, but it was definitely worth the hike.




at Burg Rheinfels



view from the Burg

That wasn't all, however.  We then took the train to Bacharach and trekked up past the Wernerkapelle...

almost there...you can even see it above the arch...

...the Strahleck castle.




the incredible view from Strahleck



After all of that, it was time for a different kind of beautiful--italienisches Eis. Riesling ice cream is pretty good.