Day 1 recap

Internet the last week in Europe was non-existant. The hotels didn't have it. So, it was impossible to keep up with the blog. Plus, the packed schedule and fun that goes with late nights added to that. So the goal now is to revisit the trip and let people see what we visited.

Today found us in Heidleberg Germany.

The day's intinary included the following:

1) Touring the Castle (Heidleberg Schloss). Heidelberg's castle was plundered and burned by the French army in 1689, then struck by lightning 100 years later, and its red stones were even used to build new houses. Inside, we toured the Pharmacy museum. In medieval times, wine was currency. He who had the most wine was very powerful. Wine was used a payment and salary. So, we saw the world's largest wine barrel in the castle (a vat having a capacity of approx. 51,514 gallons.). A court jester who guarded the cask during the reign of Prince Elector Carl Philip, nick-named Perkeo, was supposedly known for his ability to drink large quantities of wine. Legend has it that he died when he mistakenly drank a glass of water.

2) Ride the Königsthul (a cable car).  The weather was cloudy and foggy. You couldn't see the top of the mountain so we just rode it back down to the city.
3) Walk through the fussgänerzone (pedestrian zone) and eat/shop.

4) Walk the Old Bridge (Carl Theodor Bridge). Prince Elector Karl Theodor built Heidelberg's first stone bridge, erected between 1786 and 1788. It was destroyed by the Nazis in 1945 and rebuilt in 1947. The bridge leads to a well-preserved medieval gate with a baboon guarding it.The baboon was a photo point due to being male....if you get my drift. It should have been a sign of what the next two weeks were going to bring.

5) Bused to Ladenburg and walk around old city to see a couple churches and the Roman ruins (ca. 40). St Gallus established in 787. It was very plain church. The Evangelische Kirche is a protestant church that was established in 1876.

6) Ate together at Die Kartoffel. die Kartoffel means "the Potato".  The potato comes drowning in a sour cream and herbs. You cook your meat selection to your preference on a rock heated to 700 degrees.Three different flavors of sauces were provided. It was awesome food.

7) Closed down the local watering hole....Goodfellas. Yes, that was the name.

Church total for the day = 4  
Pubs = 3 - Hefe was beer of choice.
Food = Weisswurst and breadzel (pretzel) along with steak