We arrived in Rothenburg around 11:30 because we got stuck in traffic construction on the autobahn. Rothenburg is a very medieval town with complete city walls still standing. It is incredible. It is so German. It is the most photographed town in Germany I've heard, so you can imagine how German it looks. There is a lot of history in that town. We were able to see the main square (Town Hall, clock, the Meat and Dance Hall, the fountain, etc.), the city wall, a couple churches--St. Johannis and St. Jakob's, the Medieval Crime Museum, shopping, KatheWohlfahrt's Christmas store, and lunch at the Ratsstube Restaurant.
At Ratsstube, I had the homemade goullasch soup, which was delicious. Basically it's vegetable soup with a kind of tomatoe soupish broth, and some roast meet. It was so good. For dessert I had a piece of almond cake... and it was especially amazing.
I bought a little gnome souvenir for myself. I was carrying so much stuff later in the afternoon that I dropped my bag and broke part of it. It was slightly infuriating. Part of it I glued back just fine, but part of the top of his foot just shattered, so now it's cement colored. I bought a few other things, but those are gifts I'm mailing home. In fact, they are on their way to Farmland and Muncie right now.
The Medieval Crime Museum was intense. It was a huge building that used to be a hospital. It is right next door to St. Johannis Kirche. Including the basement, the building is four stories, I think. The whole place is filled with instruments of shame and torture from Medieval times. There were tongue screws, thumb and finger screws, a witches chair, two Iron Maidens, executioner's coat and mask, masks of shame, chastity belts, swords, axes, etc. It was a little disturbing, but very interesting. For instance, a woman who gossiped or talked too much was made to wear a mask of shame. Bad musicians were forced to wear a mask-type thing. Women whose husbands were traveling, they themselves were traveling (especially alone), or were in a place where rape was likely to happen, they were forced to wear chastity belts. Bakers whose bread was too light or heavy were also tortured or ridiculed. Bread was the most important food to people back then because it held the most nutrition. All bread was to be equal so it was worth its price. Rules were ridiculous back then. I feel incredibly lucky to be a woman in the 21st century.
St. Jakob's Kirche was built from 1311 to 1484. It was once Rothenburg's main house of worship. It contains many special artifacts, such as the Holy Blood Altar (1499-1505), Altar of the Twelve Apostles (15th century), and the Franciscan Altar (circa 1490). It is gorgeous inside. Toward the front of the church were two Christmas trees. Germany loves Christmas, this town especially.
If you've ever heard of Kathy Wolfhart, her main store (and another store) is in Rothenburg. It is huge and full of Christmas. There is also a ginormous Christmas tree inside. I bought myself a little Santa Claus figurine, just to say I bought it at the Kathe Wohlfahrt store.
Rothenburg is also known for schneeballen. It is a bakery treat made of fried strips of dough then formed into a ball. It is a heavy ball. The outside can then be covered with many different sweet toppings: light/dark chocolate, lemon stuff, powdered sugar, cinnamon, marzipan (almond paste). I bought a dark chocolate, powdered sugar, and marzipan one for myself. A teacher at school had me buy him four marzipan ones and he paid me back on Monday. I must say, one-day-old schneeball is better. It was a pretty good treat.
This week at school has consisted of more inventory. On Valentine's Day, I received a lot of candy and a white flower from my teacher. The junior high student council had been selling flowers during the past two weeks. White means friendship, pink means you hope something will happen, and red means love. I thought that was so sweet.
Monday after school, we went to the mailroom and I had a Valentine package from my dad! He sent some chocolate suckers from Concannon's and a card. Written in German (but translated to English) he wrote, "Happy Valentine's Day, my little strudel." Signed "-vater." Classic Kevin Cox. I miss my dad.
This upcoming weekend will be a three-day, two night trip to Paris. I called the company today to make sure it was still on... and it is! It's full and is confirmed. Yay!! Will be going with Jenna, Terry, Quintin, and Al. Should be a good weekend. I will get to go in many places and will get to go to Versailles and on the Seine River Cruise. Can't wait.
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