Day 360 – Burgen and Dinkelsbühl, Germany (by Pam)
Posted by Pam Taylor on Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Events of Monday, June 20, 2011
Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, the town church bell struck eight, a most charming alarm clock. When Jim rolled back the darkening shades, bright sunlight flooded the room. An expanse of clear blue filled the sky. I dressed for a day of sunshine…..that was not to be. During breakfast the clouds moved in and “Es regnet” – good thing today is a travel day.
The rain made packing up the car a little more interesting than usual, but soon we were on our way. First we had to climb the steep hills that form the Mosel Valley. Jim expertly guided “Destiny” around tight blind curves on a narrow road. Again, we expressed how glad we were not to be in “Harvey”, our RV. As we crested the top, vast farmland stretched in every direction, the different colored crops making a beautiful quilt. All too soon we were on the autobahn, the signal for the kids to bring out the computer and their books. Quiet reigned for the next two hours as the rain outside steadily increased.
Since we have been internet-less for the last few days, part of today’s plan was to find WiFi and reconnect. We’ve noticed, on other travel days, that some of the rest areas boast gas, restrooms, restaurants and areas of WiFi. However, today, that was not the case. We stopped at one area that had a McDonalds, but we needed a “McPin” to log on, so on we drove. As lunch time neared, we hoped to find a cafeteria type restaurant with WiFi so we could eat and surf – kill two birds with one stop. Pulling into a promising area, we sent Jim out to investigate. His report was not encouraging – there was no WiFi, the restaurant area was small (so a family of six eating their our own food would be noticeable) and toilets cost €0,70 (about $1). In Germany, we noticed there is a decided increase in restrooms that require a fee for use. Indicating a wooded area nearby, I lamented to the girls how this restroom fee policy was discriminatory against females.
Given that there was a break in the rain we decided to have lunch on some benches near the wooded area. After lunch, since nature’s call was fairly urgent, Lindsey and I chose to use the “facili-trees” rather than pay the fee. After that experience we headed to the car. Just as we pulled out of the parking lot, it began to rain again.
The kids quickly returned to their books and the computer, and I became the master of adjusting to ever-changing speed limits and frequent lane changes. On Germany’s autobahn, the far left lane is strictly for passing. Most of the time, the speed limit isn’t even posted. Ben’s Germany research taught him that while you won’t be ticketed for going over 130 km/h, if you are in a crash, your insurance will not cover you. I saw a variety of speed limits because of road construction and I chose to comply.
An hour away from our destination, we listened to a Rick Steves podcast about the area and more specifically about the reunification of Germany. Just as the podcast ended we arrived in Dinkelsbühl. Being internet-less, Ben couldn’t access the email correspondence from tonight’s host and therefore was lacking our check-in procedures. Therefore, the first order of the day was to find internet access. After driving through town a few times, Caitlin spotted the TI. We parked and Jim and Ben went in to investigate. After a short time they returned to the car – they had found free restrooms. They returned to the TI to ask their questions while the girls and I visited the facilities in shifts. Although the TI had one laptop that could be used for inexpensive internet access, the boys decided we should try to find the other two internet cafés in town so more of the family could have access at the same time.
We drove through town again, only to be disappointed. The internet cafés were located in casinos and no one under 18 was permitted. Returning to the TI, Jim, Ben, and Caitlin took in our laptop and spent a frustrating half an hour accessing the internet – frustrating because the connection was very slow and they were not able to upload our updated blogs or update our website. After they returned to the car, we set off to find our housing.
Arriving at Dinkelbauerweg 5, we found a note, in German, taped to the front door. It read: Hallo Fam Tailer, Der Schlüssel häught unter der Treppe au der Rückseite am Türchen. Great. Ben’s German phrase book did not include any of these words and my knowledge of German didn’t help much either. So we went on a bit of a scavenger hunt. We guessed that Schlüssel meant key, unter meant under, and we thought der Rückseite meant right side. Yet a search under the doormat, the garbage cans, and the fake dog revealed nothing. Then we started checking the right side of everything – the door, the house, the fake dog, still nothing. I guessed that der Treppe meant the step, but none of the steps moved. Then Ben discovered it. Hanging (häught), on the backside (der Rückseite) of a little door (Türchen), hidden beneath the steps (unter der Treppe), on the left side of the stairway, was the key. Eureka‼
It started raining again just as we opened the door. We quickly shuttled in the luggage and set about exploring our new domicile. Eclectic would be the word to best describe what we found. In the first room off the hallway are two double beds, made up to sleep four. At the end of the hall to the right is a second bedroom with two beds, end to end. These beds are wider than twins, but skinnier than doubles and each was made up to sleep one person. Hmmm.
Outside this bedroom was an open space that opened into a bathroom. The bathroom theme is clearly “under the sea”, which Lindsey loved. The bathtub in the corner is shaped like a giant clam shell and the sink faucet is a dolphin (the water runs out of its mouth). The decorations abound with fish, sea animals and shells. Even the toilet seat and the flush button fit the theme. The tub also boasts a shower head and a seat within the shell. The end of the open space opens into a large kitchen which leads to a sitting area with large glass windows looking out on the backyard – a doggie haven, complete with a doggie-sized castle in the garden and a plunge pool. We could have guessed this, given the sign at the front door stating this home was partial to dogs, the life-sized dog sculpture on the front step, and the dog paintings and dog knick-knacks that abound throughout the house. Caitlin photographed everything to document the bizarreness and we will hopefully post her pictures soon.
However, search as we might, we could not find the promised laundry facilities. There was none. Ben had sent an email inquiring about internet availability and laundry facilities and the owners had replied that there was no internet, but “laundry and towels are included”. Another language mix up, by “laundry” they meant bed linens. Just as this reality sunk in, our hosts arrived. Finding they were primarily German-speaking, we struggled to communicate. The husband quickly set to work to install a new toilet seat in the bathroom. Gone was the fishy themed one, and it was replaced with one with a worm-infested apple core motif. Unique, but does not fit the theme. Jim asked about the washing machine and our hostess called a friend to check the internet for Laundromats in the area.
While we waited for her reply (and for the toilet seat installation), Jim asked to be shown the basement, as it was purported to have an additional bed and shower one could stand in. The landlady escorted him downstairs. Upon his return he communicated to us that the basement shower was very nice and that he had learned that there had been a washer, but now it was “kaput”. Our hostess soon heard from her friend, there are no Laundromats in the area. We have not had a washing machine since London. We were at the end of our supply of clean clothes. Seeing our dilemma, our hostess offered to do our laundry in her machine and return it to us tomorrow. Vastly relieved, we quickly compiled a laundry bag full of essentials – an outfit from each person and all the dirty socks and underwear.
After our hosts left, we all trooped outside and downstairs to check out the basement. Although also uniquely decorated, we found the bed was not prepared, but the shower was large and clean. Showering would just require a bit of preplanning as it requires exiting the upstairs to the outside and descending steps and unlocking the door. No streaking allowed.
Returning upstairs, we settled in and decided on our plan of action for the evening. Ben had slotted in ample time for us to do laundry, but that was a moot point now. So Ben and Jim went grocery shopping while the girls and I prepared dinner. After dinner, the boys showered – Jim trying out the basement shower while Ben took his shower sitting in the clam shell. Both reported positive experiences. Then we read and worked on the computer, catching up on blogging and picture-editing until it was time for bed.
Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, the town church bell struck eight, a most charming alarm clock. When Jim rolled back the darkening shades, bright sunlight flooded the room. An expanse of clear blue filled the sky. I dressed for a day of sunshine…..that was not to be. During breakfast the clouds moved in and “Es regnet” – good thing today is a travel day.
The rain made packing up the car a little more interesting than usual, but soon we were on our way. First we had to climb the steep hills that form the Mosel Valley. Jim expertly guided “Destiny” around tight blind curves on a narrow road. Again, we expressed how glad we were not to be in “Harvey”, our RV. As we crested the top, vast farmland stretched in every direction, the different colored crops making a beautiful quilt. All too soon we were on the autobahn, the signal for the kids to bring out the computer and their books. Quiet reigned for the next two hours as the rain outside steadily increased.
Since we have been internet-less for the last few days, part of today’s plan was to find WiFi and reconnect. We’ve noticed, on other travel days, that some of the rest areas boast gas, restrooms, restaurants and areas of WiFi. However, today, that was not the case. We stopped at one area that had a McDonalds, but we needed a “McPin” to log on, so on we drove. As lunch time neared, we hoped to find a cafeteria type restaurant with WiFi so we could eat and surf – kill two birds with one stop. Pulling into a promising area, we sent Jim out to investigate. His report was not encouraging – there was no WiFi, the restaurant area was small (so a family of six eating their our own food would be noticeable) and toilets cost €0,70 (about $1). In Germany, we noticed there is a decided increase in restrooms that require a fee for use. Indicating a wooded area nearby, I lamented to the girls how this restroom fee policy was discriminatory against females.
Given that there was a break in the rain we decided to have lunch on some benches near the wooded area. After lunch, since nature’s call was fairly urgent, Lindsey and I chose to use the “facili-trees” rather than pay the fee. After that experience we headed to the car. Just as we pulled out of the parking lot, it began to rain again.
The kids quickly returned to their books and the computer, and I became the master of adjusting to ever-changing speed limits and frequent lane changes. On Germany’s autobahn, the far left lane is strictly for passing. Most of the time, the speed limit isn’t even posted. Ben’s Germany research taught him that while you won’t be ticketed for going over 130 km/h, if you are in a crash, your insurance will not cover you. I saw a variety of speed limits because of road construction and I chose to comply.
An hour away from our destination, we listened to a Rick Steves podcast about the area and more specifically about the reunification of Germany. Just as the podcast ended we arrived in Dinkelsbühl. Being internet-less, Ben couldn’t access the email correspondence from tonight’s host and therefore was lacking our check-in procedures. Therefore, the first order of the day was to find internet access. After driving through town a few times, Caitlin spotted the TI. We parked and Jim and Ben went in to investigate. After a short time they returned to the car – they had found free restrooms. They returned to the TI to ask their questions while the girls and I visited the facilities in shifts. Although the TI had one laptop that could be used for inexpensive internet access, the boys decided we should try to find the other two internet cafés in town so more of the family could have access at the same time.
We drove through town again, only to be disappointed. The internet cafés were located in casinos and no one under 18 was permitted. Returning to the TI, Jim, Ben, and Caitlin took in our laptop and spent a frustrating half an hour accessing the internet – frustrating because the connection was very slow and they were not able to upload our updated blogs or update our website. After they returned to the car, we set off to find our housing.
Arriving at Dinkelbauerweg 5, we found a note, in German, taped to the front door. It read: Hallo Fam Tailer, Der Schlüssel häught unter der Treppe au der Rückseite am Türchen. Great. Ben’s German phrase book did not include any of these words and my knowledge of German didn’t help much either. So we went on a bit of a scavenger hunt. We guessed that Schlüssel meant key, unter meant under, and we thought der Rückseite meant right side. Yet a search under the doormat, the garbage cans, and the fake dog revealed nothing. Then we started checking the right side of everything – the door, the house, the fake dog, still nothing. I guessed that der Treppe meant the step, but none of the steps moved. Then Ben discovered it. Hanging (häught), on the backside (der Rückseite) of a little door (Türchen), hidden beneath the steps (unter der Treppe), on the left side of the stairway, was the key. Eureka‼
It started raining again just as we opened the door. We quickly shuttled in the luggage and set about exploring our new domicile. Eclectic would be the word to best describe what we found. In the first room off the hallway are two double beds, made up to sleep four. At the end of the hall to the right is a second bedroom with two beds, end to end. These beds are wider than twins, but skinnier than doubles and each was made up to sleep one person. Hmmm.
Outside this bedroom was an open space that opened into a bathroom. The bathroom theme is clearly “under the sea”, which Lindsey loved. The bathtub in the corner is shaped like a giant clam shell and the sink faucet is a dolphin (the water runs out of its mouth). The decorations abound with fish, sea animals and shells. Even the toilet seat and the flush button fit the theme. The tub also boasts a shower head and a seat within the shell. The end of the open space opens into a large kitchen which leads to a sitting area with large glass windows looking out on the backyard – a doggie haven, complete with a doggie-sized castle in the garden and a plunge pool. We could have guessed this, given the sign at the front door stating this home was partial to dogs, the life-sized dog sculpture on the front step, and the dog paintings and dog knick-knacks that abound throughout the house. Caitlin photographed everything to document the bizarreness and we will hopefully post her pictures soon.
However, search as we might, we could not find the promised laundry facilities. There was none. Ben had sent an email inquiring about internet availability and laundry facilities and the owners had replied that there was no internet, but “laundry and towels are included”. Another language mix up, by “laundry” they meant bed linens. Just as this reality sunk in, our hosts arrived. Finding they were primarily German-speaking, we struggled to communicate. The husband quickly set to work to install a new toilet seat in the bathroom. Gone was the fishy themed one, and it was replaced with one with a worm-infested apple core motif. Unique, but does not fit the theme. Jim asked about the washing machine and our hostess called a friend to check the internet for Laundromats in the area.
While we waited for her reply (and for the toilet seat installation), Jim asked to be shown the basement, as it was purported to have an additional bed and shower one could stand in. The landlady escorted him downstairs. Upon his return he communicated to us that the basement shower was very nice and that he had learned that there had been a washer, but now it was “kaput”. Our hostess soon heard from her friend, there are no Laundromats in the area. We have not had a washing machine since London. We were at the end of our supply of clean clothes. Seeing our dilemma, our hostess offered to do our laundry in her machine and return it to us tomorrow. Vastly relieved, we quickly compiled a laundry bag full of essentials – an outfit from each person and all the dirty socks and underwear.
After our hosts left, we all trooped outside and downstairs to check out the basement. Although also uniquely decorated, we found the bed was not prepared, but the shower was large and clean. Showering would just require a bit of preplanning as it requires exiting the upstairs to the outside and descending steps and unlocking the door. No streaking allowed.
Returning upstairs, we settled in and decided on our plan of action for the evening. Ben had slotted in ample time for us to do laundry, but that was a moot point now. So Ben and Jim went grocery shopping while the girls and I prepared dinner. After dinner, the boys showered – Jim trying out the basement shower while Ben took his shower sitting in the clam shell. Both reported positive experiences. Then we read and worked on the computer, catching up on blogging and picture-editing until it was time for bed.