Today's journey brought me to a town called Neustadt an der Weinstrasse (New City on the Wine Road). I took the train, it was about a forty minute trip. Sometimes I get the sense that I am being watched when on the trains. I feel peoples eyes on me. It's probably because I am the only person wearing sunglasses. Anyways, Neustadt is nestled in a little valley that is surrounded by grape growing hills. It has a mix of new construction along with the old half-timber houses. Many of the half-timber houses have a shop or restaurant on the bottom floor, with living quarters above. Most of these date back to the late 1800's. Most are well kept though, it isn't rare to see a house with a weathered exterior and badly worn shutters, but have brand new energy efficient windows. Like most European cities, the shop signs that hang over the doors are rather ornate.
I made my way around the city and decided to take the seventy-eight mile hike to one of the surrounding hills. Once I got there it was another twenty-three miles straight up to the top. Of course the view was almost well worth it. It started raining a little bit which was strange because there really wasn't any rain clouds directly overhead since I was almost to outer-space the clouds should have been below me.
Once I got to the top I got a little confused as to whether or not the schloss (castle) was open to the public. I really don't know any German and the sign said something like Privatelande. But there was a public parking area and a restaurant near there, so I decided to go ahead and continue. I figured the worst they could do is shoot me or have me deported. I took a look around and nobody came out running with rifles, so I pulled the camera out and started taking more photos. The wind was blowing at hurricane force by this time and I almost lost my OKC Thunder cap. I put it in my bag for the time being and snapped a couple of dozen photos.
Anyways, I started the 43 mile journey back down the winding road, that's when I figured that the Privatelunde sign meant that cars weren't past that point but humans were. I took a leisurely stroll because, well it's a hell of alot easier going down hill instead of straight up, and took a few pics of some of the vineyards. Germany has some of the best vineyards in the world because ancient Romans started them when Alexander the Great had his armies here. Vineyards are mainly on the hillsides but individual vines grow throughout the city. Many of the houses have a tiny 12x12 square of dirt near their entryway and will have a grapevine growing out of it. The hotels and such will have these great big thick vines running up the walls and around the terraces.
I saw this magnificent building complete with observation tower and I decided to make my way over to it. The closer I got to it the more magnificent it looked, however, the closer I got to it the more I decided that it was impossible to get there. Kinda like trying to find something in Texas. Every road I took led to another turn, which would lead me away from it, then back, then away, until finally I decided that one more turn and I would quit. Sure enough that was the correct road and when I walked up to the gate to see it, of course it was closed. I couldn't get any closer than 200 feet so I turned around and went back. That's when I found a different route and was able to snap this photo.
I went back down to the city, walking the remaining eighty-four miles. They were having a mini Christmas market near the town cathedral and I bought a Christmas mug that looks like a boot. It only cost 3 euro, which is around $4.50. Add it to my collection. I then went back to the train station where I had to stay in line for 15 minutes to get change for a 20 Euro note. Missed one train in the process. And I was tired from all that walking. I guess that is why I call it whine country.
I made my way around the city and decided to take the seventy-eight mile hike to one of the surrounding hills. Once I got there it was another twenty-three miles straight up to the top. Of course the view was almost well worth it. It started raining a little bit which was strange because there really wasn't any rain clouds directly overhead since I was almost to outer-space the clouds should have been below me.
Once I got to the top I got a little confused as to whether or not the schloss (castle) was open to the public. I really don't know any German and the sign said something like Privatelande. But there was a public parking area and a restaurant near there, so I decided to go ahead and continue. I figured the worst they could do is shoot me or have me deported. I took a look around and nobody came out running with rifles, so I pulled the camera out and started taking more photos. The wind was blowing at hurricane force by this time and I almost lost my OKC Thunder cap. I put it in my bag for the time being and snapped a couple of dozen photos.
Anyways, I started the 43 mile journey back down the winding road, that's when I figured that the Privatelunde sign meant that cars weren't past that point but humans were. I took a leisurely stroll because, well it's a hell of alot easier going down hill instead of straight up, and took a few pics of some of the vineyards. Germany has some of the best vineyards in the world because ancient Romans started them when Alexander the Great had his armies here. Vineyards are mainly on the hillsides but individual vines grow throughout the city. Many of the houses have a tiny 12x12 square of dirt near their entryway and will have a grapevine growing out of it. The hotels and such will have these great big thick vines running up the walls and around the terraces.
I saw this magnificent building complete with observation tower and I decided to make my way over to it. The closer I got to it the more magnificent it looked, however, the closer I got to it the more I decided that it was impossible to get there. Kinda like trying to find something in Texas. Every road I took led to another turn, which would lead me away from it, then back, then away, until finally I decided that one more turn and I would quit. Sure enough that was the correct road and when I walked up to the gate to see it, of course it was closed. I couldn't get any closer than 200 feet so I turned around and went back. That's when I found a different route and was able to snap this photo.
I went back down to the city, walking the remaining eighty-four miles. They were having a mini Christmas market near the town cathedral and I bought a Christmas mug that looks like a boot. It only cost 3 euro, which is around $4.50. Add it to my collection. I then went back to the train station where I had to stay in line for 15 minutes to get change for a 20 Euro note. Missed one train in the process. And I was tired from all that walking. I guess that is why I call it whine country.
No comments:
Post a Comment