We arrived at around 10:00 AM. After checking into the hotel, Christopher, Sarah, Katie and I took the train into the center of Oberursel. We had to wait a bit to change money as the banks close from 1 pm to 2 pm. After changing money, we attempted lunch. We went to a small cafe, where the menu was in german, so our Berlitz training was put to use. Christopher ordered a baguette mit Knoblauch thinking it was a baguette with sausage. He would be wrong. He ended up with garlic bread for lunch. In desperate need for ice, we sent Sarah to the front desk to ask for a bucket. The girl at the counter asked, Vanilla or Chocolate? (Eis = ice-cream in German). We made it through Day 1 in Germany without air conditioning and ice.
August 2, 2012: Ingelheim
We went to Wiesbaden and found an Italian Grocery store (Germany's version of Villarina's). The family ventured to Ingelheim where we opened bank accounts and saw Boehringer Ingelheim from a distance.
August 3, 2012: Christopher's B-Day
Sarah and I ventured into town to find breakfast for the family. Of course, that meant finding parking. Entering a garage we saw the word "verboten" and decided to turn around causing a traffic jam in downtown Oberursel. Eventually, we found city parking.
We had a family adventure to Luxembourg for Christopher's birthday --three hours on the Autobahn. Chris drove there. Over time, we got used to cars passing us on the left going 150 miles an hour. Driving through the narrow country roads made us feel as if we were in a James Bond movie.
August 4, 2012: Echternach and Trier
We visited the town of Echternach (Luxembourg) Saturday morning.
As you can see, it is a very quaint little village.
After having a snack in Echternach, we got back in the car and drove to Trier. Trier is an old German city that has ruins from Roman Empire dating back to 300 A.D. The town was also home to Karl Marx.
 |
| The Roman Bathes in Trier |
 |
| Porta Nigra -- The City Gate |
 |
| Karl Marx's House |
 |
| The sign from Checkpoint Charlie at the Berlin Wall |
