Resting on the Rhine

After a whirlwind of cleaning, packing, and saying goodbyes, we left for the airport on Saturday evening.  In the lounge, we were able to skype back home with a few people since it was Russ' birthday.  It really had  been a birthday week for him - the Science Department celebrated with cake while we were still at school; we had a big bash on Thursday, and then friends came over for lunch and cake on the 16th.  Russ is not really a birthday person, so this was all a little much for him, but I think he enjoyed it nonetheless.

While in the airport, we also worked on our yahoo security - we had both been hacked, so hopefully that is all taken care of.  By the time we boarded the very crowded plane we were bordering on being delirious.  Figured that in the previous 48 hours, we only achieved ten hours of sleep in all.  We did not sleep much on the plane either.  It all seemed like another world away when we touched down in Frankfurt.  We started to loosen up and forget the weariness of Kuwait as we moved out of the airport and inched up the Rhine river to our destination in St. Goar.

Our apartment was not ready at 8:30 am when we arrived yesterday, understandably so.  So we walked through the small town center, found a bakery open with freshly made rolls, and found a bench on the waterfront to chill out.  There is a wine tasting room steps away from our place, so we spent an hour in there trying fruit liquors and eiswein (ice wine made from frozen grapes).  Rosi invited to come back for more tomorrow.  In the late morning, Walter and his wife showed us around our accommodation on the fourth floor of a charming classically German-style building.  We have an absolutely stunning view of the Rhine and have delighted in watching the many different kinds of barges float by.  However, it did not take long for us to crash once we settled in, buried in soft clean down comforters and pillows.  The weather warmed throughout the day and by late afternoon was quite comfortable.  We found seating at an outdoor cafe and ordered lunch.  Gone are the days when we feasted on wurst, schnitzel, and spaetzle.  Russ had a lovely piece of salmon with salad, and I just ordered a big salad and a big beer.  While Russ went back to the apartment, I took a short hike up to the Castle Rheinfels, where we had stayed during our honeymoon about this time nine years ago.  We'll hike back again another time to explore the ruins, but it was good to stretch my legs during the arduous hike.

Things I already love about being here - sunsets only at 10:30: appreciation for high quality food; outstanding beer and wine selection; down pillows; old world charm without even trying; speciality shops such as cheese, gelato, bread, and meat; German efficiency, punctuality, and cleanliness; attention to detail;  and yes even friendly Germans!