Da Rhineland, Yah

Guten Tag,

I have successfully returned from the Rhineland in which German hospitality was experienced at its finest.  First and foremost before I get into my spiel, if you ever have the opportunity to go up to Bacharach or to St. Goar, do not hesitate at all.  Our trip is essentially broken down into four distinct, yet awesome, parts.

1)      The trip to Bacharach

Like most trips in Europe, we took the train.  While it was a little confusing at first, we quickly figured out that the European model of transportation works like clock work.  We had four separate connections and we made all of them, on time.  No nonsense like airlines in the states bumping your seat.  Hell, if you can’t find a seat on the train, sit on the ground and wait for the next stop for someone to get up.  Regardless, the trip up was a blur, mostly because we were exhausted from the previous night’s adventures.  We arrived in Bacharach around 2:45 pm after leaving Geneva at 6:40 am. 

2)      Bacharach

Thanks to Mr. Brown we booked a room in a hostel in what is a 13^th century castle…no big deal.  We got off the train and wandered around briefly before noticing that our castle was a good hike upward.  We made the hike, checked in, got settled, and headed back into town.  The town itself is a gem.  Old churches and houses tucked around every corner.  After hiking up what looked like a deer path, which of course was wunderbar, we headed to the local kabob place for a k-bob.  In my previous post I have mentioned the illustrious King Kabob, well ladies and gents, we found Queen Kabob tucked away in a small town in Germany.  Huge kabobs that came out to about $4 made our day.  After the k-bob and a beer at a local restaurant we hiked back up to the castle, in the rain, mimicking 12^th century French troops trying to invade the castle.  It sounded and looked more like the great American action films that Arnold Schwarzenegger, but it was fun nonetheless.  We decided that we’d kick it in the dungeon of castle and relax over a few brews, just to pass the time.

3)      Da Rhineland Yah

Our adventure on this glorious Friday starts on a ferry leaving Bacharach.  We got on the ferry at about 11:15 am and cruised around seeing the sites and the castles (below)

We finally got off about three hours later in Boppard, where some old Roman walls stood.  They were old, end of story.  The cool thing about them though was the fact that they were the border of the old Roman Empire. 

From there we hopped on the train and went to St. Goar where a 11^th-12^th century castle stands and it was in remarkably good shape

After our foray into the castle, things started to get fun.  We decided to back on the ferry and head back to Bacharach, but of course we could not leave without sampling some of the fine local brews, that would be a crime against Germany.  So, after picking up a few and getting on the boat (thank you Germany for allowing open containers), we arrived at Bacharach and returned to the glorious Queen Kabob restaurant where we downed our sandwich and went for a stroll outside of town. 

There we are, three fine American gentlemen, minding our own business when out of the blue we pass this campsite and we here what? Nothing else but Hootie and Blowfish.  Being the adventures that we are, we sauntered over to check out what awesomeness this was that Germans loved Hootie, because everyone should love Hootie/Darius Rucker.  Inside we essentially find a block party that has moved its way up the Rhine to celebrate nothing else but a beerfest.  Fully stocked with copious amounts of every kind of drink you could imagine, they invited us to stay and enjoy in their good times.  We stayed, for six hours….(side note: Hostels sometimes have curfews.  Ours had one for 10 pm…we missed it…by four hours).  Anyway, we stayed, we hung up, we learned a lot about Germans.  First, they like to drink.  Second, they hate France.  Third, they like to drink.  For some Godforsaken reason we leave the tent and attempt to wander home.  I leave this story at that.  I’m pulling a Christopher Nolan on all of you, and you can decide what happens, mostly because I’m tired of writing. 

This weekend we’re hitting up Cinque Terra off the coast of Italy for some hiking and some beach action, should be a good time.  The following weekend, I’ll be getting my country fix and attending a concert in Gstaad featuring Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless and Craig Morgan, and some Swiss guy.  Should be a good time. 

Until then I bid you adieu.  College football starts in 6 days and some change, and I’m excited to say the least.

Deuces,

CM