We've taken them all on this trip...today included a ride on the autobahn in a Ford Galaxy (which in Germany is a minivan) and an hour trip on the DB (train). We opted out of the tour of the wine town of Rudeshiem (which would have been a nice tour) for a trip into Frankfurt. Bob & Rita Flohrs picked us up and drove us to the city. Bob is a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfurt (English speaking) so we were given a tour of the church, their lovely European apartment, and downtown Frankfurt.
We did have a moment of panic when we entered an elevator in a department store. As we hit the button to go to the 8th floor, it stopped--as in no lit up buttons and shut doors. Thank goodness for the 2 German men who were with us who could understand the voice on the other end of the help button. We waited for what seemed longer than the 2 minutes before the person attached to the "voice" brought power back the elevator and took us down 3 floors then back to ground level before the doors opened. We quickly headed for the escalators instead and enjoyed a birds-eye view from the observation deck.
Frankfurt is the third largest city in Germany and a hub of a lot of international businesses. Their downtown has two sides--new modern skyscrapers on one side and the "old" part (rebuilt to look pre-war). We walked down the Zeil, a long street of shopping and lots of people, then ended up at an Italian ristorante for fabulous pasta and a bottle of Chianti. Yes, we are in Germany, but as Chris says, when in Germany eat as the Italians! It was wonderful food and good company. We were the Flohrs' first American guests since they moved to Frankfurt last August. After a big day, they put us on a train back to Rudesheim. It was a great way to end the day.
So what to do now? Well, Charlie's back in the lounge singing "I-M-C-A" (no hint of a Y) as we rest our tired feet. Tomorrow we tour Speyer in the morning and take an extra excursion to Heidelberg and its castle. I am really looking forward to that. Until then...
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