basel

I visited my friends Karin and Peter in Basel. We met when our family lived in Ohio and they were in "the states" visiting Karin's family. Our children played "fairies, make belive and treasure hunt" and while we drank tea and created friendship. For several consecutive summers we continued the lovely ritual. Then our family moved and we lost contact. Fortunately, we've reconnected and had a lovely visit. Also in the photo is their cute little "Chico". The children, now all teens did not get to visit this time.

The photos are in Basel, along the Rhine. Karin took me for a ferry ride across the Rhine on a boat powered only by water. I was amazed by this no-energy form of transformation, which has been used on the river for hundreds of years. "One of Basel's four small ferry boats, which, hanging at a steel rope, are silently drawn by the current between the two banks of the river."

Rothenberg - Saturday, July 4th

We celebrated July 4th by traveling on the regional train to Rothenburg. The original part of this town is still surrounded by it's original stone wall and is well preserved. The town is full of tourist shops, hotels and restaurants, which both adds and takes away from it's charm. We certainly enjoyed being there, and also think that Tuebingen is just a beautiful and charming!

Comments - anyone?

In case you've been wanting to write comments on the blog, you can now...at the end of each entry, is a pencil, click to write an entry. You may need to create a google account to do this - which takes only a few minutes. We're looking forward to those comments....

And yes, I've been gone so much, I've not written in a week, I am attempting to catch up and learn a bit more about how to put this blog together with less time and effort!

The rose in the photo is the same varitey of rose we have planted next to our front door. It was fun to find it in the back yard.

Peace and Quiet

In case you've been very envious of our holiday and peace and quiet...here's a little look at the other side.

Just outside our window, the city dug for electric connections. First the sidewalk was removed with cement saws, then digging and exploring....and then replacing , and then smelly, sticky blacktop. And to continue...between the house and sidewalk, our landlord is constructing and planning to make a garden sitting area....which may be complete by the time we depart!

And this is only the beginning..the city has plans to be digging and working on the streets all summer, lots of machines, streets closed, busses with new driving schedules....and actually the bus change is not bothering us, but the locals are really noticing the difference!

The old barn roof you see is only part of a very large building that is in process of being demolished. First they removed pieces by hand the old fashioned way, saving some items to be salvaged. And now for 1 1/2 weeks banging and knocking down and very loud machines and beeping backwards is the constant sound of the day - this is in the back yard area. We expect as soon as it is torn down, new construction will begin.

And finally just for fun, is our landlord Stephan, going on a motorbike ride to camp for the weekend with friends. We loved his riding suit and snuck a photo before he departed. Actually, the motorcycle has not been a noise problem...it was just fun to include in this little email, for drama.

Saint Jakob's Kirke - Rothenburg

Thirty years when I was in Rothenburg, I did not want to spend the money to enter and tour this lovely church. Many members of the Miami University Collegiate Choir did, and went on and on about the art work.

So, this time, we did visit and it was worth every euro! We were so taken by the wood carvings. Most original to the church, and one from a sister church in Africa. The German woodcarvers have been compared to Michelangelo. You can read more on the link above. Very inspiring.

Derendinger

We are living in an area of town called Derindinger. Years ago, it was it's own separate village. Today it is part of Tuebingen. Here are the photos of the house. We are settling in well and the house really feels like home. It was built in 1840 - the same year the stone house we lived in near Yellow Springs, Ohio was built. And it was renovated in the past year and everything is new - mostly IKEA, with a few antiques. We love the deep window sills and the windows that can open from the middle or top - I'll need to take a photo to demo this for you.

Enter the door, the stairs are in front of you with a little entry area. To the left is the eat in kitchen, to the right is the living room - where the girls sleep on the fold out sofa. Up the stairs is the bedroom for Dan and I and the very modern and fun bath. The curved stairs in the bedroom lead up to the loft - which is Dan's work place and a quiet space to sit and enjoy the view.

Paradise in Bodensee

From the left to right: Margarite, Beth Ann, Tammy, and Claudia.


On Tuesday, I took the train to visit my friend Claudia. Claudia and her family lived near Ann Arbor for 3 years. She has been inspirational in encouraging us to travel to Germany.

Margarite, the girls former German teacher, inspired Emily and Allegra to love the language. We all had spent time togehter in the states. It was a mini-reunion. We had a lovely time sitting along the lake shore talking old times and catching up on each other's families.

And why do I say paradise? Well, my photo does not show you, so let me tell you. The view is breath taking! Lovely ferries and sail boats float about and one feels like they are in a very magical vacation spot. It's so beautiful, I will return alone to visit and with the family. And hope to take more photos too!