Since being here, I've really been able to just enjoy life and its simplicities. During most days, Aline and her parents are off to work. So I wake up, go for a run through the vineyards and along the Rhine, and then I either read, nap some more, catch up on my shows, or if it's sunny lay outside. Like I said, the perfect vacation.
But of course, when her family is around, we like to do things together. Two weekends ago, we took a bike tour through the vineyards to another city where we ate lunch, and then our ride back was along the Rhine. Aline and I were so sore the next day though, that we swore we wouldn't ride any more bikes while I was here.
Two weekends ago was also the start to the wine festivals in this area for the summer. So over to Bodenheim we drove to drink some wine, eat some food, and listen to some music. It was a very fun night, and it reminded me a little bit of what our fairs are like back home, minus all the stinky farm animals.
This guy was going around singing to the crowd and individuals, including me. It was just a little awkward.
Fireworks to top it off!
This last weekend we took a trip to Munich with the entire family, and I do mean the entire family, all her aunts, uncles, and some of her cousins. It was a fantastic weekend to say the least. We stayed in the Hilton hotel of course because Aline works at the one here in Mainz, and she gets a nice discount. Apparantly pools and hot tubs are not a standard thing for hotels in Europe. I had no idea, so I was a little disappointed to find no hot tub. Instead I took a bath in our hotel room, which was quite nice.
We got there Friday night, walked through the English Garden, and then had delicious dinner. Spincach Knödel in a mushroom sauce. It sounds gross, but it tasted amazing. Knödels are basically dumplings, but they're a traditional Bavarian food.
This is from the last time we were in Munich together, four years ago.
The next morning we met up with some of Aline's family to go to the Bavarian film studios in Munich. It was interesting to see some of the sets, and I even recognized a few, including The Neverending Story and Wickie, which is a German movie that came out last time I was here. That night we met up with the entire family for another delicious dinner, Käsespätzle. It's basically cheesy noodles, but they're so delicious, and this was my favorite dish of Käsespätzle that I've had the whole semester, and really, that's saying something. After dinner the whole family took Schnapps (shots) together because according to Heike, Aline's aunt, they're good for the digestion :)
And the next day was really the best because the whole family got together to go on a Flossfahrt, raft tour, along the Isar river in München. They have these tours daily, and they build a new raft every day early in the morning. On our raft there was a band who played traditional music the entire time; there was traditional food including Leberkäse (liver cheese) on bread, pretzels, and more Knödels. It was all so tasty, and of course, there was plenty and plenty of beer.
It was such a fun, perfect day. The music was great, the leader was hilarious, although I had a hard time understanding him due to his Bavarian accent, but there wasn't a boring moment throughout the day.
Prost!
Aline's Uncle playing the Accordion
There was even a strip show at one point. I guess that's what you get with a bunch of crazy, drunk Germans :) It was so funny though, especially since Aline's aunt Anya was a big instigator to the stripping. And at one point, one of the men fell in the water, but we were going so slow, he was able to get back up no problem. His friends told me he fell in because he fell in love with me, bahaha. Silly Germans :)
It was a wonderful day, and afterwards we all spent the evening together in a beer garden. A good end to a wonderful weekend. And now this coming weekend in Ireland is the reunion with my parents and brother. Oh goodness, I hope you're ready Ireland!
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