Ahhhhhh....a sigh of relief. My wonderful husband treated me to a day of spa luxury!
Stephen and I took the afternoon yesterday (Sat. Sept. 27) and drove to Wiesbaden (about 1.25 hrs. from where we live) to spend the evening in the sauna/spa.
Oh, it was so relaxing. I was very sick this week with a textbook case of a severe cold, so sitting in the saunas-breathing in the infused steam and relaxing in the swirling pools of mineral water really rejuvenated my body and soul.
After our spa day, Stephen took me to his favorite restaurant in Mainz - where he commutes to for work 2 to 3 times a week. This Turkish restaurant treated me to what may have been the best meal I've ever had. I literally have no idea what it was, but I think it was pork. It was covered in a fragrant red sauce and came with a garlic yogurt sauce for dipping. AMAZING. I spent the entire meal nibbling and shaking my head in disbelief! That experience comes too infrequently!
Scrubbed clean by steam and filled to the brim with incredible eats, we drove home and fell into bed where I got my most fitful night of sleep in ages. Unfortunately, now it's 5am and I don't know what to do with myself so early in the morning on a weekend! :) Oh well, I could have much worse problems.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Bad Durkheim Weinfest
Well...actually, it's called a "Wurstmarkt" (literally a sausage market) but Bad Durkheim is the city which brings us the world's largest Wine festival.
Stephen, Patty and I hopped a train on Saturday evening and trekked out to the beautiful city. The weather was terrible, cold and rainy - typically German, but the ride was very nice. Beautiful scenery whisked us east thru the wooded land and into the main vineyards or the Pfalz region.
When we arrived, we jumped off the train and followed the droves of people headed to the fest where we were greeted by the sights and sounds that can only be equal to that of the State Fair. Meat on sticks, in buns, on plates. Candy in bags, boxes and of course on sticks. Beer, Wine and liquor flowed freely. It certainly was a party!
I can't even begin to tell you the number of food stands there were. Offering everything from sausages to cuts of meat cooked over spits. There were delicious, fresh, beautiful offerings from several regions of Germany as well as from around the world.
But, all-in-all, this is a wine fest! And therefore, the wine is served in 1/2 liter glasses (1 bottle of wine is usually .75-1.5 liters). There, again, were a hundred tents set up from all different clubs, organizations and vintners selling glasses of wine from their favorite vineyards (or their own vineyard). Hundreds of people huddled under the tents guzzling the wine and laughing and singing.
Despite the chaos of the people, rides, food, shopping, etc,etc, etc., the whole thing was quite an experience. Be sure you set aside some time if you're ever here the middle of September to visit Bad Durkheim to experience your version of the Wurstmarkt.
Stephen, Patty and I hopped a train on Saturday evening and trekked out to the beautiful city. The weather was terrible, cold and rainy - typically German, but the ride was very nice. Beautiful scenery whisked us east thru the wooded land and into the main vineyards or the Pfalz region.
When we arrived, we jumped off the train and followed the droves of people headed to the fest where we were greeted by the sights and sounds that can only be equal to that of the State Fair. Meat on sticks, in buns, on plates. Candy in bags, boxes and of course on sticks. Beer, Wine and liquor flowed freely. It certainly was a party!
I can't even begin to tell you the number of food stands there were. Offering everything from sausages to cuts of meat cooked over spits. There were delicious, fresh, beautiful offerings from several regions of Germany as well as from around the world.
But, all-in-all, this is a wine fest! And therefore, the wine is served in 1/2 liter glasses (1 bottle of wine is usually .75-1.5 liters). There, again, were a hundred tents set up from all different clubs, organizations and vintners selling glasses of wine from their favorite vineyards (or their own vineyard). Hundreds of people huddled under the tents guzzling the wine and laughing and singing.
Despite the chaos of the people, rides, food, shopping, etc,etc, etc., the whole thing was quite an experience. Be sure you set aside some time if you're ever here the middle of September to visit Bad Durkheim to experience your version of the Wurstmarkt.
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