I woke up, ate, showered, etc. Finally, it was the day my family was going to arrive and I would actually have something to do. I wasn't sure exactly when to expect them. I knew they were flying into Frankfurt and I knew what time, but I had no idea how busy the airport would be with it being Easter weekend and all. I estimated maybe around 2:30 or 3, I wasn't sure. So when my neighbor asked me to help her, I said I would be over in a bit, guess who texts me! My mother, it turns out that they had actually caught the express train meaning they would be there in about 30 minutes. How long does it take me to get to the Hauptbahnhof? 20 minutes, and the bus only comes every twenty minutes. I ran over to my neighbor's told her what was happening, and then went on my way. I think we all got there around the same time, maybe I was a little late because of general timing. Nevertheless, we found each other and everything was good.
We got on the right train, and I was able to get them to their hotel without a problem. Also, very fortunately, the girl at the desk spoke English, so that made everything a lot easier. Everyone put everything in their rooms, found some chocolate "bugs" on the bed. (They were wrapped, and also delicious), then we met up again. They were hungry, so we went to Murphy's Law, of course. I think it's a good way to ease people in because they have an English menu and familiar food, I also knew that everyone would find something there that they liked. They were sold, and right on in we went. I got "O'Connor's Kartoffeln/Potato" which was basically chili con carne with cheese and sour creme on top of two smallish/ medium size potatoes. It was pretty good, and I was only able to eat a little less than half. Naturally, I saved the left overs, as I was sure they would be good the second time around too.
I went home and slept.
8.4.2012 Sonntag, Sunday
We got on the right train, and I was able to get them to their hotel without a problem. Also, very fortunately, the girl at the desk spoke English, so that made everything a lot easier. Everyone put everything in their rooms, found some chocolate "bugs" on the bed. (They were wrapped, and also delicious), then we met up again. They were hungry, so we went to Murphy's Law, of course. I think it's a good way to ease people in because they have an English menu and familiar food, I also knew that everyone would find something there that they liked. They were sold, and right on in we went. I got "O'Connor's Kartoffeln/Potato" which was basically chili con carne with cheese and sour creme on top of two smallish/ medium size potatoes. It was pretty good, and I was only able to eat a little less than half. Naturally, I saved the left overs, as I was sure they would be good the second time around too.
I went home and slept.
8.4.2012 Sonntag, Sunday
It was Easter, and, as promised, I was going to take my mom and aunt to the Jesuit church for the Easter Mass. We met up and then we walked down toward the church, which was only about 10 minutes away from the Hauptbahnhof, and passed the Barockschloss. I told them a little history that I knew about it, my aunt took a few pictures, and then we moved on. We arrived at the church a little bit early and found ourselves some seats. It was a very interesting mass to say the least. At the beginning, the priest announced what music was going to be played in just a few moments, it turns out we went to a mass that was half classical music concert. It ended up lasting a little more than two hours. The music was phenomenal, the priest was quite charismatic, and the day was sunny so the gold everywhere glimmered, but those benches/pews, oh man. The seat was padded, the kneeler was not, and the back "rest" is just a little angled jut, like leaning against an angled shelf for the whole thing.
Because the mass was late and everyone needed their sleep, we ended up taking the rest of the day 'easy' by going to Heidelberg to visit the town and the castle and maybe sample some of the cuisine. The rest of the story will be illustrated through pictures.
(My traveling companions on the train! | Odd statue in Heidelberg, the thing in the hip rotated | A fountain that we took a short break by. Random, but nice.)
(A church! Naturally I investigated. | The inside. | A view of one of the hills during our walk along the river.)
(Heidelber's City hall | A pretty flower, I've never seen the drooping orange ones before. | Gino's deep dish related? It looks like it, but I can't say.)
(The tram from the bottom of the hill to the top of the castle. | Potentially an observation tower? | Me and some of the castle. I later (think I) found out that it was destroyed by cannon balls.)
(More Castle | A courtyard below | More castle & tower)
(A cool view of the broken castle and garden below. | Zum Gueldenen Schaf [To the golden sheep] | A very happy chair.)
(Liz and our waiter, he was from Germany but apparently studied abroad in Toledo and visits often. We asked because his English was quite good. | Us all together. | A picture of the castle lit up at night. Apparently, it's open until midnight.)
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