First Stop Berlin

Saturday, May 14
We decided to make a quick trip to Berlin.  Joe went with us. He was our translator, the only one who could speak German.  It was great having him along. We had a lot of fun.  Started out the day with a train to Mannheim then to Frankfurt to catch the ICE train.  Only a couple hours away and we were in Berlin.

We took a hop on-hop off bus tour to see most of the sights.  Those bus tours became our best friends by the end of our trip.

The Berlin Cathedral-

Beer wagon/bike.  People watching is always fun, but this was even better.  What you see is a party wagon, with pedals and everyone pedals to keep the keg going.

Some very good ramen recommended to us by Joe.

Brandenburg Gate, we saved this for the evening.  Very neat when it is lit!:)

We did get caught in a bit of rain so we stopped in at Starbucks for some Hot Chocolate to warm up and get dry.

A little blurry, but so much fun!

Our hostel. We only stayed in one hostel while in Europe, but it was a good experience.  Here is the one in Berlin. It was a very nice place, and we ended up being the only ones in our 6 person room. Funny story-- We checked in a little early and put our bags in the room. Once it started raining, we came back before going to the Brandenburg Gate, for our umbrellas and jackets.  But our bags were gone, including Joe's bag with his iPad. We were all a little concerned at first,. but of course, everything was fine.  They had come to clean the room while we were out and thought the bags were from the guests before us.  They had the bags in the lost and found downstairs.  We sure were glad Joe was with us because he speaks German and was able to find out where our things were.

Sunday morning we visited the Berlin Wall/Checkpoint Charlie--

Berlin wall-marked by the bricks in the ground.

On the way back.   Thank goodness for technology!  What would we do without it?:)

Beautiful train ride back to Heidelberg.
May 14-15, 2011

A year later-Europe Sampler-

Well in case some of you didn't know. Mom, Andrew, and I went to Europe a year ago today.  I can't believe we're already coming up on a year! And I've been a horrible blogger! Since it's already been a year, I decided to blog our trip as a year anniversary.

We took so many pictures, and we had a great time. Memories that will last a life time.  The point of the trip was to visit with our great friends, the Murphy's.  They are living in Heidelberg, Germany.  So, of course, Germany was our first stop!

We left on the 10th but with all the time changes we arrived on Wednesday, May 11.

Wednesday, May 11--
We flew into Frankfurt, Germany, where Marie and Sister Murphy picked us up.  It was about a 30 minute drive to their home from the airport. They live in the historic part of town in Heidelberg.  We walked around, took pictures,  and got some pastries from the bakery (extremely delicious) for after dinner.

Downtown Heidelberg. The Main Street or (Hauptstrasse),

View from the Murphy's window. Incredible!

Thursday, May 12--

We went to the Heidelberg Castle which you can see from the Murphy's apartment.  It was very interesting to walk around and see what was left after fires.  Everything was so old. To get up to the castle we took a little tram that went up the mountain. From the castle we went up even higher to a place called Konigstuhl. It was neat to be so high up and be able to see all of Heidelberg.

View of Heidelberg from the castle.

Late night servant doors.  (So they didn't have to open the big door, just slip through the little one.)

Inside the courtyard of the castle.

Large wine vat.

Giant wine vat.

Beautiful Heidelberg!!

Konigstuhl- The highest point in Heidelberg if I remember correctly. We had to take a tram to the castle, and then another one all the way up to Konigstuhl. So beautiful!

View from Konigstuhl.

The tram for going up and down the mountain.

Friday, May 13
Despite it being Friday the 13th, we had a great time.  Mom went with Sister Murphy and Marie to where Sister Murphy does her internship.  While they were gone, Andrew and I went on a hike around Heidelberg.  The Murphys' had told us about a path called Philosophers Way.  It was on the other side of the river from their home.  We finished off our adventuring with lunch at Coyote's Cafe.  Not your average German restaurant. But it was nice to hear some country music.  A little piece of home.  We had gelato milkshakes for dessert. (Delicious!!)

May 11-13, 2011