The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[MaryAz]

Congrats to Mikki! Good luck to you! I thought there were some letters missing but like Tim am very bad at guessing.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Busy, busy, busy!! I think after I get back from Anara's dentist appt. I'll have time to hang out with ya'll!! Meantime, hope those of you who have the day off have a fabulous time!! Sing, laugh, and REMEMBER!!! Your singing and laughing have come at an extremely high price!! Take a minute or two to thank God for our freedoms and liberty, and if you know someone who has served for those causes, call them and thank them~~~

Back later!

Thanks Liesa, so true!

 

[lovealldisney]

Busy, busy, busy!! I think after I get back from Anara's dentist appt. I'll have time to hang out with ya'll!! Meantime, hope those of you who have the day off have a fabulous time!! Sing, laugh, and REMEMBER!!! Your singing and laughing have come at an extremely high price!! Take a minute or two to thank God for our freedoms and liberty, and if you know someone who has served for those causes, call them and thank them~~~

Back later!

Yes we all should remember and thank god for the freedoms we have today. I have to tell you a story that recently happened when my husband and I were in Germany.


My husband and I were at the Eagles Nest when we saw a very elderly man. My husband knew immediately that this was a WWII veteran. We were able to stop him and say thank you for his service to our country. After speaking with him we found out that he was part of 101st Airborne that landed on Omaha beach how he fought his way through Europe and took part of the taking of the Eagles Nest. Apon hearing this I started to cry. I couldn't help but think of all that he saw during that time and how lucky he was to have survived. He was there with his family and medic they were taking him on a trip through Europe to all the places he fought they were ending there trip at the Eagles Nest. I sit here and think of him today and how blessed I am to have met him a part of living history and how I'll never meet someone like him again.

Thank you Bernie for your service god bless you.

For me out of all the things we saw, things we did and people we met, this to me was the biggest highlight of my trip.

 

[All7OfUs]

Having filled our bellies and seen perhaps the most intriguing fountain in all the world, it was time to slowly make our way back towards the hotel to take a reading on the condition of those who’d been wiped out from microbes and parasites. Amazing how something so small you cannot see can take a body out more efficiently than Chuck Norris can with a pair of numchucks.

Thankfully, I was not one who had been taken out of the touring game, and once again we passed Neef’s Bakery. Now was just as good a time as any to consume more calories, as well as sample yet another cup of strong German coffee. Unfortunately, I dropped the ball on the photo frenzy, and came away with not a single shot of our plum something or rather. So, imagine this: a ginormous piece of gooey, moist cake with the tartest plum halves you’ve ever tasted baked on top. It’s sitting on a plate smothered in a sweet cream sauce all warmed up for us- with 3 forks poised on the side for rapid consumption. I’d love to tell you that I could rave about this, but sadly, I really didn’t LOVE it. The plums were too tart of my taste, and even the sweet sauce that it was drowning in didn’t help it. We finished most of it, but left the rest on the table. Of all the 30 choices of pastries, cakes, tarts, cookies, and marzipan treats, I wish I had chosen something different. (Here is the photo I’ve already posted just to remind you of what we got.)

Rolling out of the bakery, we headed back to the Mooseland, and up the stairs. Both the kids said that although they weren’t 100%, they felt well enough for our next adventure! HOORAY!! Because no one wanted to miss the afternoon and evening activities!!! We told them they had about ½ hour to shower (I’ll bet they’ve never had a shower feel so great!), dress (warmly), and be ready to head out the door. We didn’t have to tell them twice, because Zach had been looking forward to going on OUR WINE CASEMENTS TOUR for weeks, and Mikki was just as excited to MEET MAGDALENE AND KATHARINA as I was!!!

Right on time, we approached the Biergarten/Restaurant where the tour of the underground tunnels and wine casements started. And lo and behold, coming the opposite way were two lovely ladies I instantly recognized!! Quick hugs and introductions made, we headed in to buy our tickets. I cannot tell you how lovely it was to have a native speaker with us! For too long, we had had far too many stressful encounters with trying to arrange something like this, only for them to end with us being scammed, charged too much, yelled at, cut out of line, or whatever. This was almost too easy, and wonderful beyond words to know that we were in good hands for the afternoon! THANKS, Ladies!


We bought tickets for 5 adults and 2 children, and waited about 10 minutes before our tour guide met us to take us on our tour. This tour was of a series of underground passageways and tunnels that were dug for a variety of reasons and were used throughtout the centuries for city protection, storage of goods, bomb shelters and of course, keeping wine and beer in until ready for market. It was still chilly outside, not much warmer than it would be on our tour, so I’m glad we all had our jackets on. If I remember correctly, there were 10 or 12 on our tour, and we all headed towards the City Wall to begin our tour. We started out on top of the ramparts which according to the guide were absolutely revolutionary when first built. The wall itself was continuously worked on from the 13th-16th centuries, and since the time it stood in place, the city was NEVER infiltrated until 1945!

(From our vantage point on top of the rampart)

After an explanation of the city walls, we headed down through an entrance:

Down, down, down we went:

Our guide told us of how the acid rain and even CO2 from visitors in these tunnels were eroding the tunnel walls at a shocking rate. Large pieces of the stone blocks that lined the tunnel walls were simply missing, and looked like enormous salt blocks that had been licked by a local underground herd of Longhorn.

Continued in Next Post!

 

[All7OfUs]

Eventually, we came to one of the cubby holes that had openings that were used to defend the walls with weapons. They are normally sealed up, but since we had paid admission, we got to see them open, from the inside!! Please, contain yourselves. I know this is almost as exciting as a Wishes Dessert Cruise or something. Here we go, brace yourselves:

Down some more, stopping every so often for an explanation of some sort. There was so much information that I’m not sure I even really absorbed half of it, but it was great to have our German experts translate all that was being said!

I love this next photo- it shows how intent we were listening and enjoying our underground tour!

One of the most fascinating things we saw were these:

On some of the blocks were original “marks” chiseled into them left by the stone mason who cut the block. They were imprinted so that an inventory of sorts could be kept, and proper payment could go to those who quarried and cut the stone.

Further along, very near where we started the tour, our guide pointed out a manhole far above us in the street. Earlier at the start of the tour, he pointed this manhole out, and that when we saw it again, we’d be nearing the end of our tour.

But first, we came to the tunnels where the wine was stored. I was a bit surprised at how little this actually had to do with the tour, given the name of it.

Just before we exited, we came to a place where some timbers had been brought in to brace the walls- the result: eensy weensy little mushrooms clinging to the walls.

And at last, we came to the end of our underground tour, squarely into a large courtyard which served as a biergarten- of course, there were a few of these:

Doesn’t it look festive with these party lights and flags?? I can hear the oom-pah-pah now. Although, that’s probably quite a “romantic” fantasty- nowadays it’s probably Eurodance music ala 21st century.

Anyway, some of the more scenic shots I got as we ended our tour:

Now, go tap yourselves into A Magical Day!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Thanks for the edge of your seat tour! Actually, I love history, so I enjoyed seeing what you saw, Just not much to see I guess. I love how green the grass is against the stone walls. So beautiful, you can hardly imagine anyone actually fighting there. I would want to just sit down and have a picnic!

 

[Millie12591]

Great job Liesa! If I haven't thanked you before, I appreciate your sharing your journey. I'm not really sure what we just saw, but I'm glad you shared it.


Did you hear about the job?

Okay...so I was reading about Nuremberg to see if I could figure out what you toured, I found some information that said there are two rings at Schoner Brunnen. One for tourists and the "real," one. Do you know which one you turned?

 

[Flossbolna]

Liesa, great pictures from the casemate tour! I really enjoyed it as well! And it was wonderful to finally get to meet you!

And those wine bottles at the end of the tour: they are actually champagne bottles, but in them isn't wine to be turned into champagne, but beer! It is a project that still is ongoing and has not been finished yet, but once they are done, there will be "beer champagne" in these bottles.

ETA: I forgot to mention that I thought it was so sweet that Mikki was excited to meet us! It is a shame that she did not feel well, I would have loved to get to know her better!

My husband and I were at the Eagles Nest when we saw a very elderly man. My husband knew immediately that this was a WWII veteran. We were able to stop him and say thank you for his service to our country. After speaking with him we found out that he was part of 101st Airborne that landed on Omaha beach how he fought his way through Europe and took part of the taking of the Eagles Nest. Apon hearing this I started to cry. I couldn't help but think of all that he saw during that time and how lucky he was to have survived. He was there with his family and medic they were taking him on a trip through Europe to all the places he fought they were ending there trip at the Eagles Nest. I sit here and think of him today and how blessed I am to have met him a part of living history and how I'll never meet someone like him again.

Wendy, thanks for sharing that story! This is something we as Germans really have to be thankful for: all the Allied soldiers who fought to restore freedom for us Germans!

 

[lovealldisney]

Leisa I would have loved to do the tour too! I love to look for different and unusuall things to do and if history is thrown there then it makes it all the better. I am so jealous you got to spend more time with Magdalene then me! It looks like you all really enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing.

Wendy, thanks for sharing that story! This is something we as Germans really have to be thankful for: all the Allied soldiers who fought to restore freedom for us Germans!

Thank you Magdalene. It truely was a special momment. We also met a lovely man that was there with his grand daughter and her husband, he served during the Korean war and the grand daughter and husband were in the military too stationed in Germany and were on leave taking him throughout Germany on vacation. We spent a good hour talking with them. It really was a great day.

 

[marvali]

Yes we all should remember and thank god for the freedoms we have today. I have to tell you a story that recently happened when my husband and I were in Germany.


My husband and I were at the Eagles Nest when we saw a very elderly man. My husband knew immediately that this was a WWII veteran. We were able to stop him and say thank you for his service to our country. After speaking with him we found out that he was part of 101st Airborne that landed on Omaha beach how he fought his way through Europe and took part of the taking of the Eagles Nest. Apon hearing this I started to cry. I couldn't help but think of all that he saw during that time and how lucky he was to have survived. He was there with his family and medic they were taking him on a trip through Europe to all the places he fought they were ending there trip at the Eagles Nest. I sit here and think of him today and how blessed I am to have met him a part of living history and how I'll never meet someone like him again.

Thank you Bernie for your service god bless you.

For me out of all the things we saw, things we did and people we met, this to me was the biggest highlight of my trip.

Great story Wendy! My Dad fought in WWII in the Navy, stationed in the Pacific. He has lots of wonderful stories he has shared about his experiences, and has spent a good bit of time over the last few years going to reunions for his ship and things like that. I called him last night and he actually was in the Veterans Day parade in our home town yesterday. Most times he has attended, but wasn't actually in it, so that was a treat for him! He said it was a totally different perspective.

Liesa, as usual a very good update. Not the typical "scenic" photos, but a lot of very interesting history. I'm glad everyone was starting to feel better so they could join in the experience.

 

[lovealldisney]

Great story Wendy! My Dad fought in WWII in the Navy, stationed in the Pacific. He has lots of wonderful stories he has shared about his experiences, and has spent a good bit of time over the last few years going to reunions for his ship and things like that. I called him last night and he actually was in the Veterans Day parade in our home town yesterday. Most times he has attended, but wasn't actually in it, so that was a treat for him! He said it was a totally different perspective.

Liesa, as usual a very good update. Not the typical "scenic" photos, but a lot of very interesting history. I'm glad everyone was starting to feel better so they could join in the experience.

Thanks Marvali,
Please say thank you to your father as well! There are so few WWII vets left I truely believe that is a time in history no one should forget. Not only our freedom but that of the world came at a high cost.

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

I'm glad that the whole family was well enough to get out and see a bit of Nuremberg. How wonderful to have two translators, too! Just being able to see the inside of the buildings that have been around for centuries would have been enough for me. I truly appreciate old architecture, maybe I'll get there someday!

Not to be a pest, but did they FINALLY tell you about the job?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Having filled our bellies and seen perhaps the most intriguing fountain in all the world, it was time to slowly make our way back towards the hotel to take a reading on the condition of those who’d been wiped out from microbes and parasites. Amazing how something so small you cannot see can take a body out more efficiently than Chuck Norris can with a pair of numchucks.

Chuck Norris would beg to differ. He does not need nunchucks.

And lo and behold, coming the opposite way were two lovely ladies I instantly recognized!!... This was almost too easy, and wonderful beyond words to know that we were in good hands for the afternoon! THANKS, Ladies!

Gimme an "F"! Gimme an "L"! Gimme an "O"!...Oh, never mind. It'll take too long. I'm glad you got to meet up!

The wall itself was continuously worked on from the 13th-16th centuries, and since the time it stood in place, the city was NEVER infiltrated until 1945!

I can see why. I pity the poor soul who had to attack this place.

Eventually, we came to one of the cubby holes that had openings that were used to defend the walls with weapons. They are normally sealed up, but since we had paid admission, we got to see them open, from the inside!! Please, contain yourselves. I know this is almost as exciting as a Wishes Dessert Cruise or something. Here we go, brace yourselves:

Anything that involves or did involve weapons and forts is inherently cool.

I love this next photo- it shows how intent we were listening and enjoying our underground tour!

Wow! Someone attacked the city wall while you were there! That must have been amazing!

Thanks for sharing the tour! I still think Germany looks way cool.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

that tour looked cool, even if it didnt have a ton of wine stuff in it. old forts are neat to visit.

 

[glennbo123]

The tour looked really good to me, especially the city wall part. I took an underground tour of Seattle once and enjoyed it.

Down, down, down we went:

Does this picture remind you of any other descent on your trip? Perhaps Bethesda?

 

[All7OfUs]

I think we're headed out the door to buy a new used car!!!! One more step towards permanancy- I am excited!!! If we come back successful, I'll be sure to post pictures!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Hi Liesa! I'm back and all caught up. I'm glad to see you are still in Germany and I didn't to too far behind. I've missed you guys!

 

[jenbear123]

Those pictures of the underground tunnels reminds me of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Obviously twice as old though. Was it cold in those tunnels? What, no wine/beer tasting included in the tour??? What a jip!

 

[vamassey1]

Congrats to your daughter getting her pemit. What a scary and exciting time. Being that this is your third child you'll be an old hand at it.

Wonderful update. I love history! I can't imagine living in a town that had wals to protect it. Since we live pretty much close to or below sea level here I can't image underground tunnels either.

All this information on Germany has me so curious. My Dad was in the army in the late 50s early 60s and I know he was in Germany at one point but where I don't know. He passed when I was in the 6th grade and so with I had asked more questions when I was little.

I hope you came home with another car.

 

[All7OfUs]

Thanks for the edge of your seat tour! Actually, I love history, so I enjoyed seeing what you saw, Just not much to see I guess. I love how green the grass is against the stone walls. So beautiful, you can hardly imagine anyone actually fighting there. I would want to just sit down and have a picnic!

Oh, I know! This was really exhilliarting stuff! Creepy tunnels and and all that. As the dinner with witches might have been described as "spellbinding", this installment might have been deemed one as with a "deep" plot, and "twisting" storylines.

Anyway, I know the pictures weren't much, but the history one felt while under there was fabulous. I forgot to mention that a lot of the art from churches and museums was stored in these tunnels during the war!!!!

Trust me, you wouldn't have wanted to picnic on those days- it was COLD!