{"id":1733,"date":"2022-04-20T14:19:33","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T21:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/?p=1733"},"modified":"2022-04-25T11:51:28","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T18:51:28","slug":"part-three-grandpas-gift-continued","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/?p=1733","title":{"rendered":"Part Three “Grandpa’s Gift….” Continued"},"content":{"rendered":"

…Continued…Part Three<\/strong><\/em> “Grandpa”s Gift Of Germany<\/span>”<\/p>\n

Pulling the numerous propagandized brochures from my suitcase, Robert helped me set them up on his kitchen table. Together we went through them, separating intense interest with train schedules apart from any inconvenient or controversial sites. Already late, he happily offered me his bedroom while he would stay on the couch in his living room. I watched him shine his Army boots before I plopped into his bed.<\/p>\n

My first prelude to this part of Europe was a drive to France. France! Very early two days later, we headed out the door to France. Throwing caution to the wind, my pocket book holding my passport, wallet, hair brush, toothbrush, and a clean pair of just-in-case underpants, we were off.<\/p>\n

Getting as far as Strasbourg, the closest French town to the German border, we were not allowed entrance to France. Don\u2019t know why. \u201cThey probably don\u2019t like Americans today,\u201d Robert stated. I found that odd but did not pursue his statement. However, as the Strasbourg traveler\u2019s rest area remained available, we left deposits, bought drinks and snacks, and hopped back into the BMW. Leaving Strasbourg with an expression of confusion upon our faces, Robert politely followed the border control agent\u2019s arms as he waved instructions to turn around. Robert complied. Hmm. We never found out why. Strange. Different. Disappointing, we never found out why. Well, at least I could say I was there \u2013 on the French-German border.<\/p>\n

After at least a two-hour return drive, our conversation quieted. I enjoyed the scenery, the landscaped border of Germany and France. France\u2019s expansive hills, valleys and dales were adorned with grape vines. Acres and acres of grape vines intertwined on metal fencing. Nothing like this back home, that\u2019s for sure<\/em>. Mesmerized, I became sleepy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, seeing as we\u2019re so close to Luxembourg, I\u2019ll take you there,\u201d blurted Robert, awakening me to full attention.<\/p>\n

Come to find out, Luxembourg is one country of many to border Germany. Along with the Baltic and North Seas, Denmark is to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west. We headed west.<\/p>\n

Since I was unfamiliar with Luxembourg, Robert proudly schooled me that it is the smallest yet richest country in the world. \u201cIt is run by a prince,\u201d Robert continued. Luxembourg City, specifically, it attracted my attention from afar. Perched on a cliff, in shades of age and discoloration, this area of the city\u2019s walls were built and fortified with large boulders squared and rectangular.<\/p>\n

Not wanting to spend too much of our limited time, we came upon Roman baths. Built from stones in the 10th<\/sup> century, they were evenly placed stone-against-stone, about twelve inches high, each cut and carved stone about four inches thick. Access to such a bath would require a person to literally climb inside any one of the expansive stone cutouts. Naked? I don\u2019t know and didn\u2019t ask. That\u2019s how you take a bath, though, right? Naked?<\/p>\n

Their spacious yet separate allotments remained close together, snug, large enough for a family of five to sit in, causing me to visually wonder how such a place could function. Certainly not like my bathtub at home, my space of isolation and quiet reading, alone-ness, relaxation. Oh, no.<\/p>\n

Although the Roman Baths in Luxembourg were overgrown and worn by the ages of storms, precipitous factors, insects, animals, these numerous rectangular spaces granted no bottom comforts. Surrounded by what seemed to be a small forest of trees, sitting on the ground to bathe seemed senseless, ludicrous \u2013 at least to me. But what did I know about the 10th<\/sup> century and its human inhabitants? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. However, the little I saw and learned about Luxembourg caused me to fall in love with the country. With its simplicities. A simple, historical bath, for instance.<\/p>\n

Back on the road, Robert explained his week\u2019s work schedule with the encouragement for me to travel by train. That\u2019s what I did with his kind offer to call him when I was ready to be picked up.<\/p>\n

Walking the mile to Aschaffenburg\u2019s center as Robert told me was a pleasant experience. He also told me that the trains depart and return in the heart of every city. I found this town to be daintily attractive, neighborly and just plain sweet. The weather so far this week was cool with low-lying clouds, highs of 75\u00b0 Fahrenheit with a mixture of gray and yellow muted sunshine. Too cool to bring home a tan.<\/p>\n

Watching for a sign reading Bahnhof<\/em> (Train Station), I found it nailed above the station\u2019s doorway. Entering the long, drab looking cement block building that resembled a double-wide trailer, I found it odd that it was unencumbered by other travelers or distractions. I was alone. It felt odd.\u00a0 Spotting an open ticket window with an unsmiling middle-age woman dressed in what appeared to be a colorless khaki uniform, I stepped forward saying Ein Ticket nach Weisbaden bitte<\/em> (One ticket to Weisbaden please). Chinka-chanka-chunka on a large hand calculating machine seconds later, she said 5 Marks bitte<\/em>. We exchanged my money for the train ticket. Equivalent to 5.41 USD, I could do this. As sour looking as she was, I wished her a good day \u2500\u00a0 Sch\u00f6nen Tag<\/em> \u2013 waiting not even five minutes for the train.<\/p>\n

Viewing 45 miles (72 km) of Germany\u2019s landscape, I had a reclining seat with a footrest, an overhead reading light if I wished to use it, and soft air conditioning. Magnificently pleasant, I did not want to get off.\u00a0 But I had to.<\/p>\n

Why Weisbaden? To walk. To walk and walk and walk some more. Sightsee, window shop, listen to the languages being spoken, sit in the open air, people watch, have a coffee with a pastry perhaps. Relax. The pastry I found, called a Schneeballen,<\/em> ended up being just what I needed. A ball of deep-fried dough that when held, engulfed the center of one hand. Covered in dark, sweet, Bavarian chocolate, I asked for extra nuts, coconut, and cinnamon to top it off.\u00a0 D<\/em>unkle bayerische schokolade, extra n\u00fcsse, kokosnuss und zimt, um das ganze abzurunden<\/em>. Pretty good, huh? Pretty damn good!<\/p>\n

Nothing too absurd or out of the ordinary, my enjoyment was being one with Germany. Comfortable with myself.<\/p>\n

Back in Aschaffenburg, I called Robert to come get me, meeting him at a particular lamppost. While waiting, further window shopping captured my attention to a black and white fur coat. It was gorgeous. Entering the furrier\u2019s shop, my questions to the proprietor answered the cost of $1,200.00 USD. Oh my! Made from 400 skunks \u2013 odd as that may be \u2013 I was totally enchanted with this butt covering coat without the stink! I had to leave the shop quickly before I bought it. Such a thing would be grand to wear during a cold Massachusetts day or night.<\/p>\n

My next train trip two days later headed to Heidelberg. Why Heidelberg? The castle! The castle pictured in more than one brochure.<\/p>\n

Looking forward to a longer train ride through more countryside, an approximate average of an hour and a half would bring me to this magnificent looking castle. For a cost of $20.00 USD, I was in, or on, however you want to word it.<\/p>\n

This \u201cHoly Mount,\u201d estimated at six centuries old, was originally the residence of princes, plural. Its history is phenomenal, dating as far back as 40 AD. Built of stone, surrounded by stone, vineyards, rivers and fields felt to be a happy place. I can\u2019t explain it, but I could feel it.<\/p>\n

On the grounds, by grounds I mean acres and acres and plots of constructed buildings and villages, there is a university, a Witch\u2019s Tower, Jesuit School, Church and seminary, Public Baths, the Hall of Mirrors, the Court Chemist\u2019s Shop, the Church of the Holy Ghost and so much more. Overwhelmed by all that was offered \u2013 for a price \u2013 I remained within the palatial walls and halls of Heidelberg Castle as happy as a fictional princess character.<\/p>\n

Returning to reality, in Robert\u2019s cottage, I needed to focus on my return trip. Before laundry and packing, I enjoyed another brisk walk to the butcher\u2019s shop for fish, the next door bakery for some freshly baked bread, along with some lovely fresh carrots from the landlady\u2019s garden. We were both delighted with the outcome and the pleasure of each other\u2019s company.<\/p>\n

An early night led to an early morning for another 12-hour flight home for me and to the military base office for Robert.<\/p>\n

Auf Wiedersehen, lieber Freund. Vielen Dank f\u00fcr Ihre Gastfreundschaft. <\/em>(Good bye, dear friend. Thank you for your hospitality until we meet again.)<\/p>\n

And Grandpa? Thank you. I miss you.<\/p>\n

THE END<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Destination The World<\/strong> NCPA Anthology 2020<\/em><\/span>, Volume Two<\/em>, \u00a9 2020. \u201cGrandpa\u2019s Gift Of Germany\u201d page 22. Available at Amazon.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

…Continued…Part Three “Grandpa”s Gift Of Germany” Pulling the numerous propagandized brochures from my suitcase, Robert helped me set them up on his kitchen table. Together we went through them, separating intense interest with train schedules apart from any inconvenient or … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1733"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1733\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1740,"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1733\/revisions\/1740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mydiabeticsoul.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}