Rothenburg Germany

Greg and I decided Friday night that we wanted to go see something new. We also decided it would be fun to take the train and alot easier and cheaper. They have these things called Bayren passes that you can travel by train anywhere in Barvaria for 27 Euro for up to five people. We loaded up the kids in the car and didn't tell them where we decided to go and how we were going to get there. We chose Rothenburg. The town was founded and built in 970. 970 can you believe it? The original part of the city is still surrounded by the sentry walls which we got to walk around. It has the moat still surrounding it of which there is a picture below. The small streets and alleys were full of beautiful churches and shops. The market square pictured below was the busy center of the town where residents shopped for their goods and wares. We read in one of the museums that there were heavy fines levied against bakers if their bread was too big or small! I didn't get any pictures of the inside of the churches because we couldn't use flashes. The carvings were incredible and I will include a link if you want to check out the town's website. It was heavily populated by tourists yesterday, apparently it is one of the most visited towns on Romantic Road in Bavaria. The highlight of the city for the boys was the Medieval Museum of Torture. An entire building of authentic devices of torture. Apparently there were some sick minds back then because you wouldn't believe the ways they came up with to torture and persecute criminals, women of loose morals and suspected witches. I have included a few pictures from the inside and outside. They had the rack, thumb screws, gallows, swords, axes, and more. There were a ton of these masks that people put in the stockade in the town square had to wear that indicated what their crimes were. They also had some interesting chastity belts for men and women. They were hilarious! I loved reading the books that were kept of "confessions" of people that were tortured then executed. After seeing some of the devises I would've confessed to about anything and most people did. If they recanted they were re-tortured to make sure of their innocence where by they re confessed and were executed. I think I may have nightmares for a week but the BOYS loved it. We ate lunch and walked the city streets all day then took the train back in the evening. The boys and I had a great time and on thinking it over it still amazes me that these buildings were built so long before America was even discovered. It was a fun day and we all learn so much and get to see things that so many people will never get to experience. Taking the train was great and we all decided that we will do it anytime we can. I also got to try Federweisen which is a popular wine that translates First Wine. It is amber in color and tastes alot like Welches white grape juice. It is what wine is before it ferments and becomes wine. Well that is about it for now. Love to all and keep checking in!

Love Jenny

http://www.romaticroad.com/rothenburg/sights.htm

Town Square Courthouse
Actual Executioners Hood Stockade

Water TortureExecutioners Tools

Moat Orig. Motorized Carriage
Town Hall/FountainMain Street Waiting for the Train Sir William

Welcome Fall

Hello All.....

Well Fall is definitely here. It is suppose to be in the 30's tonight and 50's during the days. I LOVE IT. I have been walking more and more and trying to work in some jogging. I sorta cobbed my bike to make it work so I can start riding it before it gets too cold. Man my @#$% hurts. I don't think they make a comfortable seat for us wider gals. We didn't make it to the zoo this week (boo hoo) we had a very large BBQ at our house so me and the kids could meet some of the guys Greg works with there by meeting some American kids and some women for me. It was fun and really did work. So Sunday was spent recovering and cleaning up. The kids had a ball having a house full of kids and met alot of the kids from the neighborhood. Fingers crossed we will make it out this weekend, if not Munich is next week. I feel that I want to see everything at once but I know we still have to live a normal life not a long vacation. But I guess once a month seeing a new part of Europe will have to do. The euro is not great right now for exchange so it is costly to travel and the gas coupons that we are allotted get used up quick.
Some one brought it to my attention that I never posted new indoor pictures of the house so tomm. I am going to try to get some of the house with furniture. I hope everyone is well and I miss you all.
Love
Jenny
PS my German words for the week are ich kenich spreken deutsch.. which translates into I DON'T SPEAK GERMAN..... keep in mind this is not spelled correctly. I am still phonetically typing words that I learn. I also can say mine deustch es slecht which means loosely that my German sucks! For you adventurous people Google has a translator site so lets see how many can find it and translate the following....
Hallo Freunde und Familie vermisse ich dich alle

Gros Got!

That is a general Hello here in Bavaria, I am sure the spelling is wrong but I have decided that phonetically is best over here. Greg found a word yesterday that was longer than our alphabet with a total of 30 letters!! We are all fine here and loving (well I am) these temperatures of 60 during the day. Rain again all weekend but that I am told is perfectly normal. Today we are going to go on base and let the kids play at the skate park and the playground and have lunch out. We only are allowed 400 liters of gas a month (4 liters to our gallon) over here so we are low on our allotment of gas and are conserving for our trip to Munich this month. Next weekend we are going to take the train down to Nuremberg and go to the zoo and this new computer restaurant that you order your food on a computer and the dishes arrive by automatic spiraling dumbwaiters from the kitchen. I guess we have decided to do alot of Germany sights this year and start planning out long distance trips starting in the new year. There are so many places we want to go and see it is hard to find a place to start. The boys have all made a list of their desired locations so we will work those in to where Greg and I want to go also. Paris and Normandy being at the top of the lists. We are all walking everyday and thank god cause that is the only reason I haven't gained any weight here yet, haven't lost any but hey that is something right?Greg's birthday is on Thursday so everyone make sure you email him and wish him the best for me.
The boys seem good and are adjusting fast. They like their school so far and seem to be doing well. Will is taking German first year and comes home and teaches me what he has learned. Today is quiet Sunday or Sontag ( spelling?) they have alot of noise ordinances and on Sunday there is to be quiet for everyone in general. No mowers or dogs barking or loud noises outside. Weird but oddly enough it is nice that we HAVE to relax and be peaceful at least one day a week. It is hard on Cody though as I am sure you all can guess Quiet is NOT in his vocabulary so we have to keep him reined in.
The house is slowly getting put together I unpacked several more boxes and found ALOT of stuff that I cant use over here that plugs in so the thrift store on post is loving me right now. I don't see the point in keeping lamps and stuff for so long, besides when we do come back we are buying a boat LOL.
Well that is about it for now so yall take care and keep in touch!
Love Jenny

Update

Nothing new just checking in. It rained all weekend so we stayed in. We bought a grill Saturday so we cooked out and played games with the kids for the holiday. Yesterday we took the boys bowling and out for Pizza. We had alot of fun and the boys are pretty good. Today it is really cold and windy with alot of rain so we are going to cook out on the grill some dinner and hang out. Coming up is, as I am sure you are all aware, Oktoberfest. It is really in the end of September. We are going to go one day on the train with the kids for the kinderfests, then one evening Greg and I are going to go and leave the kids with our sitter we found. She is 17 and really good with the kids. Although Will is old enough to watch himself the three boys seems to clash so we need a referee for them LOL. I am driving more and more but still try to stick to where I have been so I don't get lost.
Well that is about all Y'all take care
Love
Jenny