OT - My Excellent European Adventure Day Four

We woke to a lazy breakfast of German meats and cheeses, and the news that the customers luggage had been delivered that morning. So, with a clear mind and a full stomach we prepared for our field trip of the day: a visit to Eberbach Abbey, which was used for many of the interior scenes in the film Name of the Rose.

We arrive at the abbey, and proceed to look for our contact. A little wandering around, and we find the restaurant and our contact/guide was there waiting for us. Oh, it was now time for lunch, so we were seated at a large table and ordered from the simple menu. Having enjoyed the schnitzel the night before, I ordered the schnitzel weiner art, kind of expecting some kind of sausage. Turns out weiner does not refer to congressional body parts or hot dogs, but to Vienna where this particular style of cutlet is supposed to have originated.

After lunch we toured this fine monastery. Built in the 13th century it is in remarkably good condition, and, as we toured the dormitory, evidence of yet another movie being filmed was on display (from the looks of it a WW1 or WW2 infirmary scene).

Back to the taxis, and off to the town of Rüdesheim for a couple of hours of shopping before dinner.

A couple of hours spent here, and once again we head to a dock on the Rhine to board a boat going back up the river to Eltville. It was an amazing ride. The Rhine is huge, and remains a working river with lots of ships carrying goods to various locations up and down the river.

In the middle of the river are numerous sandy islands, at least one which was privately owned. The owners had a beautiful home, and, according to our host, also owned a Mercedes Benz that had been modified to serve double duty as both a car and a boat, as there was no bridge or ferry.

We disembarked at the base of the towns defensive wall, part of an original castle, and walked along that to the restaurant that was at its edge. I cannot remember what I ate that night, other than it was thoroughly enjoyable, and very German.

The taxis had a bit of a mix-up, and initially only one arrived. A couple of phone calls later and the owner of the company arrived, along with another car, and we were loading up for the trip back to the hotel. There was a bit of a funny site here. The owner was young (mid twenties), short and slight. His first driver was middle aged, about 5” taller, and with no visible neck. The owner apparently was upset that the driver had not just shuttled us to the hotel (hard to tell, I think they were Turks, and even if they had been speaking German all I would have understood was the sign language). Watching this, I was waiting for the driver to pick up the owner and snap him like a twig. Instead he just shrugged it off (as big guys are wont to do when being abused by smaller ones) and, other than this, there was no drama.

Initially, Kathy and I headed straight to the room on the return to the hotel, but several others went to the bar, so, realizing we were not quite dead, we changed clothes and joined the group. I think we finally crashed out about 1:00am.

Tomorrow we fly to Verona, Italy!

More to come…