It's a German Thing

Open air markets

 

The bombed church

Part of the walled city. A  medieval tower.

The church now

A San Antonio like River Walk and the Gothic fountain. Note the golden spire.

        After a not so efficient method of giving out boarding passes at ABIA (Austin airport) by the Condor Air people we made the long voyage across the pond and to Frankfurt. The long lines waiting for boarding passes, over an hour, was made more pleasant by the stewardesses on the plane.

I found that the small amount went a long way as I scored free wine, or should I say 'wein', from one of the stewardesses. Thank you Nancy Grafton.
    After landing in Frankfurt and an easy disembarking and customs we walked a looong way to the Hertz desk. The car we got was upgraded and it came with a GPS system that they programmed to English. The little lady that I will call Greta has saved us many times so far. After a couple of hours of harrowing driving (the Germans drive like maniacs) we arrived at our Inn, the Smart Inn in Erlangen. Only a Gifted and Talented teacher would book that one, right? The room was great but even better there was a bar and restaurant attached.
   We sat down and I went up to the Bar to order a beer and a Gevertz for Lynda. I used my German but their version of 'Norm' at the end of the bar said "you don't need German here, we all speak English."  These guys were fun, just like the 'Cheers' gang. After a weiner schnitzel and a couple of beverages sleep arrived easily.
    The next morning after a great German breakfast, we drove to Nurnberg to check out the Aldstadt.

This walled city is famous for the Nazi war criminal trials and it's Christmas markets. The old city is full of life; the antiquities of days past and the newness that appeared after the bombings in World War Two. This beautiful church once looked like this after being bombed.
    After getting a Sim card for our smart phone we were on our way to the Czech Republic. Now to check out the Czechs.

German cake shop