La historia de un semestre en Barcelona: 02/26/07

Nacht: Noche: Night

We made it to the Wurzberg area and our host Mike, who is fantastic! As soon as we got settled, it was time to run into the city to get a general overview, drive-by tour, and some coffee/beer.

The Residence...where the castle-dwelling clergy moved to after the fortress was no longer needed and their home base was changed.

Merienkirche-"Kirche" is German for church-all lit up

The bridge of statues across the river.

Bob and Mike's hunting dog, Sabo (Mike you're gonna have to help me with the spelling here!)

We came back to the house and just talked and chilled and ate cheese and sausage. Talked to the fam. I could get used to this!

Frankfurt: Frankfurt: Frankfurt!

We were only about an hour or two from our final destination for tonight, and we were going to pass right by Frankfurt so why not stop for food? Just because we're hungry, and we can!

The Main Platz in the old city, all lit up.

Tom and Bob at the Italian restaurant in Germany...

and my FANTASTIC strawberry crepe!

The Frankfurt Dom

Mary and Jesus statue

Crucifix statue at entry

Tom in ruins outside the Dom looking at the Model of the old Dom.

Back on the road...we have places to go, people to see!

Romantischer Strasse: Calle Romantica: Romantic Road

So, we hit the road again, heading further south along the Romantic road, where you can't go a mile without seeing a castle...what a tough life, huh?!

Our first and only out-of-the-car-castle-photo-shoot.

The boys, taking in the views.

Bob and the Rhein River

Near the end of the Romantic Road is a mystical place known as Loreley. Legend has it that sailors crashed into a rock here when they were distracted by the voice of a beautiful siren! We had to check it out...obviously.

Apparently we were the ONLY ones who thought this was a good idea.

Team Germany! Bob Tom and Me at the Loreley overlook

It was a long walk up...and what goes up must return down this long, slippery, winding set of stairs...just like Tom and Bob!

"Over Yonder...do you see that siren?" "No...that's an empty Loreley Info Center!"

Not only has we climbed lots of stairs, but those stairs were on top of a large hill/mtn of sorts...which we drove up. On the way down, however, we noticed a path for wanderers...and since we know that in Germany, it is a pasttime to wander...we did.

A HUGE statue of said Loreley siren.

Town of Loreley...which actually respects the water, unlike in good old Espana...in fact--the only buildings they seem to have are within site of the Rhein.

Ok, so we had another photoshoot of the castle at Loreley...but it was only because all of the castles were closed because it's not tourist season here.

PB and J sandwiches made without knives, gummy bears, and some agua...then back on the road toward Wurzberg!

Kolner Dom: Catedral de Koln: Cologne Cathedral

Got a good 12 hours or so of sleep, despite previously suggesting it would be fun to get up to watch the sunrise on the Dom...yeah right. Here are a few snippits of the Dom and surroundings...it's huge...there was a lot to see...my head didn't retain it all. Hopefully photos do some justice to the detail.

An intense facade...that is quite daunting, especially in the rain!

The main aisle

Super-old crucific (not-including base and background) and first known crucifix to show suffering/human Jesus. Also famous for miracle that occurred after wooden cross was cracked in the making and mysteriously healed by a piece of host.

Glorious vaulted ceiling and clerestory (also spelled clearstory, depending on the person).

The main attraction for many pilgrims to this Cathedral: this golden chest supposedly contains the remains of the 3 Magi. Scientists were able to test the materials and to narrow them down to being as far back as at least 200 AD if not older. While this does not prove these to be true relics, it also does not disprove them.