Rodenbach Wine Walk

Rodenbach, small village about 10 mins from our home had a culinary wine walk a few weekends ago.  This is the second time I have attened the wine walk.  Had a great time enjoying some very good wine and food along the walk through fields and trails and viewing the countryside.

I honestly can say I don't recall any of the wine's that I tried, all sweet wines.  We had all sorts of few such as fish sandwich and BBQ beef.  All was so good, never is there anything missed on the food here.  Above is a variety of photos of us all walking.  Sam unfortunately couldn't make it out with us, but we had a great time!!

Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt

 The Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt and wine festival begins every year in Mid-September.  Sam, Rich, Svetlana, and I went on September 8th to enjoy the festival.  This was my second year visiting the festival.  The city is approximately 45 mins from our house and in the middle of Germany's Wine street.  Every year around this time a number of wine festivals take place both in the Wine street area as well as along the Mosel (Bernkastel) and Rhine Rivers. 

This first photo show a picture of the entire area, from on top of the Ferris Wheel, the only ride I went on.  You can see on the left all the similar shaped tents.  These were all filled with wine sellers and seats filled.  It is always difficult to find a place to sit, and when you do no one wants to get up in case of losing there seat.  The larger tents had live bands, and more drinking.  We spent most of our time here dancing and having a good time.  There was all sorts of food to include 1/2 chickens, ham sandwiches, crepes and much more.

Sam and Rich with there Liter Beers.

Here at the festival all wine is served in half liter glasses.  We all got wine that was half mixed with sparkling water.  This is the only way to survive the wine fest!!

Svetlana and I

We had a great time dancing to a lot of German songs, having no idea what is being said.  It was Great!!

Sam and I on the Ferris Wheel

To check out more about the  Bad Dürkheim Festival click this link= Wine Festival. 

Greece

 I made it to Greece!!!  A place that I never thought in my life I would have the oppertunity to go until moving to Europe.  When many think of Greece, there first thought is Athens, and the Greek Islands.  I went to neither.   We spent four days in Halkidiki.  To see where this is check out the Map here.  Halkidiki is a part of Greece more eastern of Athens.  We stayed in the city near Koipingi, but traveled to many near by cities to see.  Most of our time was spent out on the beautiful beach enjoying the beautiful sun and water.  Our hotel we stayed at was along the beach a 40 second walk from our room we were on the beach!!

 A view from our room!!

Dinner one night, shrimp, potatoes,  Fried Zucchini (Kolokythakia), and feta!!

 Svetlana on the beach enjoying a Frappe, a common coffee for the area!!

  The beach, Beautiful!! Wonderful weather the entire time we were there!!

We spent the weekend with Svetlana's good Friend Angelina.

 Staple of very meal!! Greek Salad with Feta cheese and Tzatziki.

Me out at dinner enjoying our shrimp dinner and Ouzo!!!


We all had a great weekend!!  While Svetlana and I were in Greece Sam and Svetlana's husband Rich spent the weekend in Austria rafting and canoeing.  I think we choose the better trip as the water in Austria was very cold and not as enjoyable as our time on the beach, food, and party!!

FC Kaiserslautern

It has been a few weeks, but August 26, Sam and I enjoyed our first FC Kaiserslautern Fußball (Soccer) game.  We ended up getting tickets in the family section so was not part of the big action of the fans.  We were though in a great place to see the game and get some photos of the fans.

It was a bit chilly in the stadium, so not the most comfortable game.  The game lasted about an hour and half, and unfortunately neither team won.  FC Kaiserslautern was playing the Munich team.  The season is still in the beginning and we hope to go see another match this year.

Medival Festival Saarbrucken

 Last weekend, on Sunday, we got a call from our friends Rich and Svetlana to join them on there way to a Medieval Festival in Saarbrucken.  About a 45 min drive from where we live, a great city with a lot to see.  This was by far one of the biggest medieval festivals I had attended. 

Saarbrucken is located in Saarland, the state just right outside the state that we live in Rhienland-Pfalz

There were some very good food, and displays at the festival.  The birds here were one of them, we also saw some people in armor and fighting with swords. 

 A view of the many tents where individuals stay and have many displays.  A number of blacksmiths were out, despite the hot weather.  We all enjoyed our time at the festival and especially the food.

On our way home we stopped in Homburg, a city maybe 20 mins from our house where there was a Italian Festival.  Our friends stopped at this festival on Friday evening and wanted to stop by on the way back.  Was an awesome Festival.  All the food was from a number of Italian restaurants in the area.  Caprese, shrimp, wine, pasta, pizza, and Strawberry Daiquiris.  The Daiquiris tasted so good as it was still very hot out. 

We were also introduced at the festival to the German Singing group Glasperlenspiel.  Website  I don't know any German at all so no idea really what was being sung but really enjoyed the groups music. 

We went to an FCK game this afternoon, and will make a short post on it soon.  Going to get back to cooking dinner!!

Zombie Apocalypse

Last weekend on Saturday some people I work with and I participated in the BLUE MONKEY PUB CRAWL Zombie Apocalypse.  This took place in Landstuhl which is about a 10 minute drive from our house. 

 It was a great opportunity to dress up and have a good time.  Not yet Halloween but It almost could have been. 

Enjoying the Zombie Punch at the Red Lion in Landstuhl.

It all started out as a Facebook event that a few people on base started, it turned out to have almost 100 people.  Dressed up as zombies and survivors or zombie hunters.  My costume/outfit I found at the thrift store, and made alterations too.  A number of cuts tears and some charcoal to dirty it all up.  All the face makeup was from last year Halloween and the fake blood mixture I made out of corn syrup, water, coca, flour, and food coloring.

Had a great time with some great people, can't wait till the next pub crawl!!

Have a great weekend
Jane

Rhine Aflame

Last weekend was a blast.  We started off having a double feature night at our theater.  Before the Double Feature we had some great Greek food at a near by Restaurant.  We saw the movies Ted and The Campaign.  Both are comedies that I would recommend.  We were all laughing throughout each of these movies.  Ted is a most see again movie for me, so many parts that I laughed at and didn't catch all the jokes!!  It was a great night

Everybody, but Sam

The Girls (Karen, Svetlana, and I)

Sam and I

Saturday we went to Koblenz a City about an hour and half from our area.  The city of Koblenz is surrounded by both the Rhine and Mosel Rivers.  The Festival was held on the banks of both rivers, coming to a point where they meet.  It was a beautiful afternoon for the festival.  We all enjoyed the great Festival foods, Mojito's, and the finally of the day Fire Works.  It was finally the real 4th of July Fireworks, it just a bit behind here.

We all enjoyed a great afternoon in a beautiful city.  We have to thank or friends Rich and Svetlana for inviting us and Karen and Dan also for joining us on our afternoon in Koblenz.