DAY ONE: JANUARY 15
Kaye drove a few of us to the trainstation at 7:40 Saturday morning so we could begin our journey to Trier. Frau Nelson drove her car and a couple of us; she was able to park her car for free at the train station. In total, there were six of us going to Trier: Quintin, Al, Frau Nelson, Jenna, Emma, and myself. We had a blast. We arrived at the train station around 8:15 or so...we got a bit of a late start. The train came at 8:32. It was awfully chilly outside, but not too bad. It was probably in the 30s, making its way up to the 40s. We had a kind of chilly day with overcast skies. We switched trains in Saarbrucke to get to Trier.
When we got to Trier around 11, we walked around. I was immediately in love with the architecture styles throughout history in this big town. It was quiet, yet a lot was happening; there were quite a few people there but yet it was quiet. I knew it was going to be a relaxing weekend.
After walking around for a while seeing neighborhoods and St. Maximin church, we found ourselves at the majestic Porta Nigra. It seemed to pop into view suddenly and I was excited--I love ruins. Porta Nigra was the main gate into the city of Trier when it was the second headquarters of the Roman Empire about 2,000 years ago. The Porta Nigra protected the northern part of the town. Once you walk through the giant doorways into the town, it reminds you of the opening scene from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It's kind of like streets, but there aren't many cars. Many of the streets are bricks or stones, people are walking everywhere, the buildings are gorgeous. Just very picturesque.
We were having trouble deciding where to eat and we were very hungry. We ended up eating at a great, well-priced Italian Restaurant called Fornalli Ristorante. I ate some gorgonzola penne, and it was fabulous. I also drank a Fanta. Fanta is Europe is SO good. I have been itching to have one! And I got my fix. It was so good.
After lunch, we walked around a saw a lot of neat buildings and churches. We went into a church called St. Gangolf. We ended up splitting into two groups. I was with Terry (Frau Nelson), Jenna, and Al. We were trying to get to some ancient ruins, but got lost in a neighborhood or two. It was really interesting to see an average neighborhood, though. We also saw a big cathedral, St. Matthews. St. Matthew is the patron saint of Trier. We saw Karl Marx's house. We did get to see the Roman Bridge that is still in use too. We finally found our way and saw the Roman baths, called Barbarathermen. We saw the outside of the bigger Roman baths: Kaiserthermen. We also saw the Sudallee.... we aren't sure what it is. Perhaps a cistern. These pictures are of the inside and outside of St. Gangolf.
This is a creepy building we saw and we aren't sure what it is. Because of the sign outside, we know it was only in use during WWII. We wonder if it was a prison. During our walk to find the ruins and baths and what not, we found Karl Marx's house.
We were supposed to meet Quintin and Emma at 4 at the hostel we were to stay at, but we were running late and got there around 4:20. Luckily Emma and Quintin had gotten there and checked in. The three of us got checked in (18 euros a night, not bad for a really nice youth hostel) and put our stuff in our room. We had a six-person room for five people. The owners didn't think anyone else would come tonight. We had a key to our room, so we took our valuables with us but left our clothes in the room. We took Terry to her hotel... and we got lost again. We were tired, we were hungry.. but we at least had a beautiful sunset to enjoy. We got to Terry's hotel and she got checked in after waiting forever for a person to come to the front desk.
She dropped her stuff off in her room and we went looking for a place to eat. We had trouble finding anything right there. Her hotel was basically right across from the train station. We went to this weird kabob place, but only Al got dinner. We all just got something to drink and shared some fries. Then we left, and Terry was wanting another beer... but we couldn't find any place! So she and Emma got a burger at Burger King. Al, Jenna, and I got some gelato at a shop right next door. Then we ended up looking for this place recommended to us by the desk person at Terry's hotel. When we finally found it, we realized it was a night club that wasn't even open. So Terry went back to her hotel and we decided to walk around to find a pub. Some of us could get food and we could all have a drink. We were just having problems finding anyplace!
We all had to use the bathroom really bad, and this posh hotel let us use their's. They were odd bathrooms. Funny signs on the doors to let you know guys or gals, sexy silhouettes on the stall doors, apparently naked pictures of women above the urinals, and an open area at the sinks where you could see a man's hands in front of you at the sink. It was so strange. After that, we found a little pub called Alt Trier where we each had one drink. By this time, it was probably only 8 or so, but we went back to our hostel. We all got into our pajamas, got ready for bed, and played a few hands of cards. Crazy eights and Egyptian Rat Screw. And a round of Bullsh*t that I did not partake in.
After that we all got into our beds and decided to play Truth or Dare. It ended up just being Truth, but we had so much fun. We did this for hours... until at least 12:30 a.m. We talked about all kinds of things about ourselves. One person would ask a question and everyone had to answer. We took turns asking questions. It was so fun and we really got to know more about each other. Then we told ghost stories and got ourselves creeped out. It was a really fun night.
DAY TWO: January 16
The weather was gorgeous!! It was sunny and the skies were blue with white, puffy clouds. Part of the afternoon, I didn't even wear a jacket.
We got up around 8:45 in the morning, and I was the first to hop in the shower. Because I didn't even think to take a towel, I had to use my pillowcase. If you paid a little extra, they gave you sheets and a pillowcase. All we had to do was strip the beds in the morning and take the linens downstairs. The hostel was either called Zum Hostel or Hille's Hostel.. there were two signs. We met Terry at her hotel around 10 a.m.
We then ventured to the Dom, which is a church Constantine had built. It is very old and Romanesque style. Connected to it is a Gothic style church that was built later on. We even went inside and saw a little bit of a Catholic church service. By this point we were pretty hungry, so we ate at a little place called Zur Steipe that was very nice inside and very good prices. We had a very authentic, delicious German breakfast, which consisted of rolls, cream cheese, different lunch meats, cheese, and a little bit of lettuce and a little wedge of tomato. I had a cappuccino to drink. Very nice way to start off the day.
We all went our separate ways after breakfast. Jenna and Frau Nelson stuck together around the town center areas, Emma and Quintin rushed off to see things they didn't see the day before, and then Al and I went together to see things we didn't see from the day before. Al and I both kind of go at a comfortable, medium pace and take time to look at the things we want to see. We first went into Constantine's Basilica/Konstantin Basilika. It was so old and so cool. It was built in the early 4th Century, probably about 305. It was once Constantine's throne room. During the 1790s, the French used it as barracks. Now, it is still used for services and baptisms, etc. It costs nothing to go inside.
We went right next door to Kurfursliches Palais. It is a beautiful palace that is pink with white and gold trim. It reminds me of something from Marie Antoinette era. It was probably built in the 1600s or 1700s. Right from the garden areas at the palace you can see the Kaiserthermen, which is the giant bathhouse.
Since we'd seen the outside of the Kaiserthermen the day before, we went to the Amphitheater since it was further away. We had to pay only 2,10 euros to get into the Amphitheater. It was really, really cool. You can also go underneath. When you stand down in the main stage area, because of the design the acoustics are fabulous. You can just talk and your voice is so loud and projects and echoes up to the top. We had a lot of fun.
After that, we made our way back to the Kaiserthermen bathhouse and went in for only 2,10 euros. Because we have International Student ID cards, we are able to get into places for cheaper or for free. Inside was SO cool. There are all kinds of tunnels and rooms underneath to explore. We stayed there for quite a long time.
We both wanted to go up inside the Porta Nigra, so we made our back back to the front of the main town area to do that. It was close to where we were supposed to meet everyone at 3. Terry happened to be sitting at a table very near to the Porta Nigra, so we left our stuff with her and paid to get inside. It was also only 2,10 euros to get in. That was quite a site also. There are three different levels to climb up to. Inside, there is so much intricate stone work, and it was built about 2,000 years ago. I took tons of pictures during the whole weekend.
We all met up around 3 or shortly after to get to our train. I grabbed a bratwurst from a vendor that just opens up to the sidewalk. I knew I would get hungry by the time we got back to Baumholder. The train we wanted to take was to leave at 4:01, but we must've found a train that left a bit earlier that was heading to the same place. So we left around 3:50. We got into the last car and went to the upstairs area. Little did we know that was first class. Oops. We were a little afraid we'd gotten on the wrong kind of train because it seemed to be moving much faster than the one we'd taken to Trier. When the man came around to check out tickets, he informed us ours were not for first class so we had to move seats. It was comical, but relieving to find out we were on the right kind of train and would not be kicked off!
So we moved downstairs to a little empty car with enough seats for the six of us. When the train stopped, we moved into a more comfortable car. The doors shut very quickly, and my hands got stuck in a door. It was awful. It didn't hurt really, but I could not get my hands out to press the button on the door to open it. I kept asking someone to press the button but no one would. Quintin was behind me and he finally realized what was going on, so he pressed the button on my door to open it. Geesh!
The train stopped in Saarbrucke where we were to switch, and we had about a 50 minute way until our train left for Neubrucke. We went into a little convenient type store that reminds me of a pharmacy, but without the pharmacy part. I bought a package of Germany candy that I still have not opened. We saw some nasty hotdogs of different sizes in jars. It was disgusting.
We got to Neubrucke around 6:30 p.m. and Kaye was there to pick us up. We drove back to Baumholder and could not wait to take showers! We all did that and then Emma and Al came to my and Jenna's apartment to watch A League of Their Own. It was a nice time. Then we watched Now and Then. It was a fabulous weekend trip with great memories.
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