Around Town

This is beautiful Heidelberg where I am staying with Sonila and Mike. We went on this hike up above the city called "Philosophers Way". It was through the forest and kept sneaking up the mountainside. There would be break now and then in the trees and this is what you would see.

The pictures below are of a completely separate day when it was raining too hard for us to enjoy the great outdoors. So we did what 2 girls in Europe would naturally do... GO SHOPPING!!! We actually went to some thrift stores, and then ended up here. Shoes. I LOVE SHOES!!! I was going crazy as you can see about the photos. The funniest part is that Sonila only saw me dress as "Motra Langford" a.k.a. "Frump Girl". She says I was an adorable missionary... HOWEVER... all of us Sisters that have served know EXACTLY what I am referring to!

A lot of the shoes I tried on were completely crazy and so delightfully weird it was if "Property of Katie Jane" was already etched into the sole of the shoe. I tried on so many different types, but my bank account was happy that we had to leave in such a hurry. I have found 2 pair of shoes that are not my typcial cup of tea, which is saying a lot for me. I will have to put them up.

Yes, I am still dreaming about these ones, and we may be coming back to this place after Italy!

This is what we had for breakfast that day. Bread, Salami, and Cheese. Why is it so good?

This was just so pretty I had to take a picture. They were all made with alcohol so I of course didn't try any, but still looked amazing all bundled up on shiny trays.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

We made it to the town square and their was a band playing! Lots of people were sitting along the steps of the surrounding buildings and cafes. We joined them and listened.

This is where we sat for lunch. And ordered 2 dishes to share. Delicious Bratwurste and sauerkraut, and this amazing cheese, herb, salad dish.
Kartoffeltaschen mit krauter - Frischkase gefullt. English translation: Pure Happiness.

The very famous Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Shoppe. It was so cute and adorable inside, everything Christmas. A complete overwhelming endless collection of ornaments, nativity sets, decorations, table clothes, etc. We walked around for almost an hour admiring everything. I was looking all around for something to bring home for my house and coudn't find anything that I felt like 'me'. Until we walked into this side room of all handblown glass ornaments... and the sea collection. I got a starfish. To remind me of my trip here the beautiful brown and copper starfish is coming with a little snack.... A pretzel and pickle ornament. Both of which are so much better here than in the states. It is true.

Schneeballen. I had to try it because it's a part of the experience and will honestly say that I won't ever need to try that one again! Basically its this dough packed into a ball and dipped in all these different flavors. I tried the zitrone (lemon) and tossed it after one bite. They look so intriguing and promising, but don't fall for it. :o)

I could smell these little guys from around the block. They were practically whistling at me!
These little adorable villages were everywhere. Couldn't help but think of my Mom and how much she would've loved to see them!

All surrounding the city is this wall that you can walk around. This was the south end of the wall over looking the amphitheatre.

Looking back on the city of Rothenburg. The day couldn't have been more perfect.

Prison time.

The cathedral windows were deserved to be admired. The building was built in the early 1300s.
I'm going to paint this one when i get home. I love it.

We stumbled across this old buidling that had been turned into a restaurant. They had private little rooms with stairs going down, and little nooks with a small table and chairs. This allowed everyone to have their own private dining experience. No groups larger than 8 though!

We had to share some 'Eis'. We had a yogurt and vanilla gelato with fresh fruit. Besides the Nutella gelato, it's my favorite one thus far!

We wrapped up our day by completing the walk on top of the city wall. Looking over the brick roof tops it was hard to not think about how this view has been the same for so long, with so many stories and visitors. I loved looking down onto the houses and thinking that people actually live here was hard to wrap my head around because it looked so much just like a scene to a movie. Everyone had lush manicured gardens, and little sitting areas on their roofs.

Another one of my favorites that I want to paint when I get back.

The drive home. Rothenburg was about 1 1/2 hours away from Heidelberg and the drive was more like a journey than anything else. We danced, we laughed, we had great conversations. All while floating over the rolling hills that lead us back home. We kept saying, "Who would've thought that when we met in Albania that we would ever be on this trip together in Germany!" I still can't believe it sometimes. We were driving into the sun as it was setting and all the small villages we were passing seemed as if they were glowing in the distance.

Perfect Drive. Perfect Day. Perfect Weather. Perfect Company. Perfect Convertible. Perfect Music. Perfect Memory.