First, we went to lunch at this remotely located inn. It's located near some great hiking tails and the restaurant is outside and there are animals all around you-cows, deer and goats. Yes, I know I've seen all these animals before but these were GERMAN cows, deer and goats-very cool. Julia met us for her lunch break (she works at a bank and gets 1.5 hours for lunch....we're lucky to get 30 minutes!). We all ordered off the menu and the food was delicious. Every single bite was "Ohmygodhowhavewelivedwithouttastingthisbefore good." We also had a beer-Pedro says it's illegal NOT to have a beer with every meal in Germany. I'm not about to break a rule in Germany. Super Nel tried a Weizer/Coke w/ Radler. That's basically half cola and half hefenwiezer beer. It's really tasty-don't tell Super Nel I told you. He has big plans to bring it back to the states and sell it in his restaurant.
After lunch we went out exploring the town of Kaiserslautern. It's a great town and Pedro forced us to try some gelato at this one place. I really wanted to wait until Italy to start eating my weight in gelato but we did walk around a lot today....
Our next stop was a lookout point that Julia had shown Pedro. It was located between a field of lavender and a field of wheat. You look down and can see the entire town and surrounding mountains. We loved it so much that Pedro said he had to take us to an even better spot that was farther away. How could we say no? This place turned out to be what looks like a lighthouse (but not water nearby) and its so high up that the lookout we were at before was as tiny as a ladybug from the view. Super Nel and I literally stopped and stared for the first few minutes. I can't get past the beauty of Germany. I really thought I was going to feel this way about Italy (and I'm sure I will) but Germany has won us over in beauty. It's such a grand open gorgeous place to visit and the people are so friendly. Even when I butcher their language and throw in a mixed Italian/Mexican accent they still smile and pretend they know what I'm saying.
The last thing we did tonight was go to dinner with Pedro and Julia. We went to a very specific restaurant so that Super Nel could cross the final "must eat" item off his list (yes, he has a list. While I researched museums and must see landmarks before this trip he researched the food. I love this man). I can't even begin to spell what the German word is for the food item but in English it means "Pig Knuckle." He got it, he ate it, he loved it and the German people respected him for it. While at dinner we played "How does Germany do this in comparison to the US?" Julia was more than happy to play this game as long as we played the same game about the US for her questions. We learned that Germany taxes its citizens half their pay but they get free healthcare and can see any doctor they want. Also, we learned about the school system in Germany-when a child is in the 1st or 2nd grade they are evaluated on their intelligence level (not sure how). The children are broken into groups: not too bright, middle of the road smart, genius. The kids that are in the two lower categories go onto learn skills that they can use to do useful jobs when they grow up. The genius level children are pushed into college and go on to learn about advanced mathematics and engineering. It's a very interesting system. I don't know about you, but I was still eating paste in the first grade. We also learned that Germany has very strict laws about work safety. Once a week someone from the government comes to assess the workplace for safety and to make sure employees have the right kind of set up at their workstation. This includes appropriate ergonomic stations. For example, a checkout person at a grocery store is given a chair to sit in with proper back support. I thought this was pretty cool. If a business has an unsafe work environment or does not provide the necessary adjustments they are given a large fine.
We really enjoyed learning about Germany from a local and Super Nel and I both thought it's made the start of our trip really great to have seen things no one else would know about unless you've lived here. And we've made 2 new friends that we hope will come visit us in San Diego.
Pedro and Julia outside at the inn where we ate lunch.
We pose under the giant fish at the inn. Pedro said this fish is an icon of Kaiserslautern. It's said that the Kaiser of the area died while fishing so to honor him they use a symbol of this fish all over town.
Super Nel and I at the look out spot. I love the wheat that's around us.
The view from the higher lookout. You can see for miles and miles.
Another view of the scenery all around us.
We visited our first church of many-a Kaiserslautern Protestant Church. I loved the design and the chairs of this church.
Fountain outside the church.
Super Nel enjoys his Pig Knuckle and his Cola/Beer.
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