An Appetizer

For a brief period B.C. (Before Cruise) we did a few day trips... Heidelberg, Germany; Beaufort Castle in Luxembourg; and Bastogne, Belgium.

This is your appetizer before the main course - which will be delectable cuts of personal cruise vacation perspectives embellished with superlative gravy on a bed of anecdotes. Enjoy with your choice of 'whine.'

Poor dad. He flies into Frankfurt and has to wander around looking for us in a mess of an airport (fog, accidents, traffic delays) and then gets dragged out for the day to Heidelberg: a beautiful city he probably barely noticed due to yawning, sleep-deprived eyes. BUT once I got there (again, slightly lost) we had a nice couple of hours people watching and walking in central Germany. The highlight for me was the student prison, used from 1798 - 1910 to hold unruly students for 3 day detentions for such crimes as snuffing out street lamps or chasing pig farmers through the streets. Silhouette graffiti art made with candle soot was actually pretty cool. We bribed the kids with ice cream and a giant gummy bear to keep them going. The catechism was written here, a welcoming town for Protestantism when it was still a new and rebellious idea.

A few days later we drove out of miserable weather to Luxembourg and explored a fabulous ruins castle with cellars, passageways, and fun rocks to climb before continuing to Bastogne in Belgium. Dad's uncle was a 'Bastard of Bastogne' in one of the most significant WWII battles and we saw the interesting museum and memorial there. We all had the audio-tour guides (like a phone you hold to your ear as you walk and listen) BUT mine was irretrievably stolen by a little blond thief in need of entertainment. The movie about the battle of Bastogne was really, really informative and inspiring and made me proud of America. Had dinner in a cute little cafe where I had to practice my French before heading home. it was a great day all around.

My pastor came for dinner one night and talked with dad, lots of fun, and we all went to the Kite-Fest for Eli's class in the hills above our house on a cold, windy day before heading for the warmth of the Mediterranean.... and with that last tasty morsel, be on the lookout in days to come for more good stuff.