Europe (part one)!!!

I don't know if you guys heard about my exciting (NOT!) flight disaster to Europe, but the complete journey here ended up taking 2 full days! :P It all occurred just because of one little delay at the Springfield airport which then made me miss the next couple of flights...let's just say that I ended up staying at the lovely OHare Airport overnight and no, not nearly as accommodating as the Holiday Inn.

But the past week and a half I have been staying in Hattenheim. It's a little town an hour away from Frankfurt where Daniel's university if located. The tiny town is absolutely charming I must say.





Daniel is still in class studying for his final examinations, so I've been given the opportunity to venture out and have day trips to different nearby towns.

Here is Rudesheim, a super tourist city. It's on a long strip right along the Rhine River. This general area is known as the Rhinegau. It's really famous for its white wine. Everywhere you go here you always pass by rows and rows of grape vines.




I spent the afternoon by the Rhine River. It's so beautiful, and everyone comes out just to lay out in the grass, spend their time leisurely, and have a glass of wine. There's a trail along the river and random benches all throughout the trail. I brought a good book (Anna Karenina--super good) and read for a few hours.

Here's the little wine stand where there are some tables and seats to chill in front of.

Last night I went out with Andy (Daniel's friend who's done w/all his exams) & his gf, Mika, and some of his friends out to a nice dinner then to a small town just a stone's throw away where there's a celebration -- Erdbeere Fest (or Strawberry Festival). It's a four-day event that's kind of like a little carnival --but to the locals it's a pretty huge deal.

The ladies here are holding cups of Erdbeere bowle, the most popular drink of the festival. It contains a mixture of champagne, the region's famous white wine, and strawberries (of course).

I also traveled to Viesbaden, a popular place for shopping. Then today I went to Frankfurt with Andy and Mika. While Andy had a business lunch, we girls did some shopping--don't ask how I'm going to get all my luggage back home, eek!

But Daniel will be finished with his last exam tomorrow morning, so we will head to Duren, his hometown, to relax with his parents for a few days. Liz, who is studying in London for summer school, is flying down to visit for the weekend as well. It should be fun!

To be continued...