Off We Go…
Finally! Sometimes I feel like waiting for these trips is like pregnancy. Those last weeks really drag. For us we had plenty left to do in the final hours, just enough to keep us from going crazy just sitting with our suitcases. The flights were uneventful. Ken got his time to hang out in the Atlanta Delta lounge, which he says is the moment he feels like it’s real. For me, I like to be rolling my carry on toward the gate; then the satisfaction sets in but I only really exhale when I buckle up on the flight going over the pond. There was not much sleep on the plane due to a crying baby or 2 just a couple of rows behind us.
We arrived at Frankfurt airport early and got our rental car. In about 40 minutes we were at Julias B&B, https://julias-gutshotel.de/. The town and the property are lovely. as is our room. We speeak no German, (OK I know bitte and danke) and the woman who checked us in spoke no English but somewhow we got a key, Our little balcony looks out to this:
Wanting to sort out our phone we drove to the next town, Rudesheim where there is a Vodafone shop. Ken had some trouble parking the car and a kind, friendly German man just walked over and opened the door to give him assistance. All parked and really craving some coffee, I realized that I had left our euros in the pouch back in the room so we had to find a bank with an ATM. I tried my first card and it said to was “not authorized” but my second one worked. We were flush. At the Vodafone shop Ken felt uneasy about the deal (too long to explain) so we decided to find coffee and think it over. The “i” (information) was a huge help and we were directed to a little square with excellent coffee. Two double espressos and we were back! We decided to forgo Vodafone and use Verizon’s international plan until we get to Italy.
We had a second encounter with a super frindly German man trying to get out of the paking lot.
Back at our place, we met English speaking and lovely Julia and did some more internet reasearch. By 4:00 we were starving and decided to walk about 2 blocks into town to the Gasthus Zum Engel (angel). We ordered from a totally German menu and the waitress told us what was beef by saying “moo” and for chicken she playfully put her hands underher armpits to flap her wings and say “cluck cluck” in German. We got wine and beer; I thought I ordered white but the almost sweet red she brought really hit the spot.
And really enjoyed the rustic, hearty food including long round noodles called spaetzle.
The town is quite pretty:
After dinner, and a second call to Capital One, I felt like my debit card issue was all resolved, but I couldn’t resist going back out to give it a try. I walked back 2 blocks to the bank and Success! Everything sorted, I walked with great “travel-content” back to our quaint little place, happy to be in this quaint little town in the beautiful quaint little Rheingau.
Yay! You’re on your way. Sounds like a good, if confusing, start. What’s a trip without some ‘confusing’ along the way to remind you you aren’t in ‘Kansas’ any more.
Nice beginning! Glad you were able to easily get card and phone sorted.
You’re about two hours west of where Larry’s family was from. Those little German towns are so pretty!
Sounds like a great beginning. Here’s to wonderful travels
What a sweet looking little town! Glad all worked out with your ATM card. So far zehr gut 😂🍷
Yay!
You quickly overcame a few bumps, and now you’re off, for sure! Have fun!
PS I’ve not been to Germany, so will be following closely.
Wow neat cuz! I always wanted to go to Germany but after finding out I am not German but Irish ☘️I am hoping one day to go to Ireland!
Great post. I can tell I’m going to love following you along.
Yay you arrived safe and seamlessly! Following your every move. Happy trails Jan and Ken!
Oh Jan, I never got to talk to you before you left, but oh well. I’m so excited to be crack there with you! Yay. I love your pictures and I’m looking forward to eating wonderful food daily. Jos
Looks so charming!
Sounds like you are off to a good start. I loved our stay in Germany. & fondly recall meeting some of the nicest people.
Fantastic! I will be following your adventure. We leave for Italy on Monday, and Rina will be faithfully posting on Facebook daily. So take a look when you can. Hope you have a fantastic trip.
Looking forward to following your travels. Love spätzle and some other classic German foods. Hope you continue to find helpful locals – they always make for great memories.
That last photo is a stunner!
Fantastic photo, and enchanting view from your balcony. Impressed with your first day energy and your managing in German. Lovely to read about your helpers. Looking forward to more.
I’m glad you got everything sorted out, and had such a lovely meal. We really enjoyed our one visit to Frankfurt.