Back on the road again. This past Sunday we took another day trip, this time to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Since the reunification of Germany some of the names of towns grew as there were duplications! Ob der Tauber means on the Tauber (River) or something like that which distinguishes it from the other Rothenburg. Anyway, it was a beautiful, sunny 70 degree fall day to visit this quaint town which the guidebooks call "Germany's best preserved medieval walled town".
We climbed the city hall tower which gave us some great views - it was an interesting climb! It wasn't designed for anyone older than 65 or more than 200 pounds as we literally climbed a ladder and came out of a tiny hole in the tower. I could barely fit through with my backpack! While Jay and I enjoyed the view of the city, Dayna admired the vintage car show down in the marketplace more. Guess you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink!
We also visited the Medieval Crime Museum at Jay and Karissa's request. It was pretty amazing at what they did to people back then. My personal favorite was the shame mask. It was this large grotesque metal mask with huge ears, glasses, and a huge tongue hanging out. It was worn primarily by women for the crime of being a gossip. One who heard everything, saw everything and told everything! Food for thought!
Karissa thought the whole thing was great and very interesting. There were a few things we tried to slide by - chastity belts etc.! We found a few tools of the trade that we might adopt for the girls. One was a 3 foot long wooden board with two large holes - one at each end and four small holes in the middle. Two bickering women were fastened into it face to face and then their hands were put in the middle holes. They were locked together until they agreed to get along. Send me an email if you would like to purchase one as well! Hmmm - maybe I could make some when I get back and sell them at the local craft shows. Child and Protective Services would probably shut me down!
The highlight for me was walking through the towers around the town wall and walking the wall itself. It was neat to look out the little slits where they would shoot arrows at the enemy and to see the remains of the moat around the city. It was also weird to be on this wall from 700+ years ago and be looking into a window of a person's home. The old juxtaposed against the new is amazing here.
It was probably the most tourist infested place we have been (we of course, are NOT tourists!) but was still charming and fortunately not crowded. Lots of sidewalk cafes on the cobblestone square so we had to stop for the obligatory ice cream. Green apple and raspberry for Karissa, Smurf bubblegum and lemon for Dayna - quite the combos (Mom just got raspberry and dad just got the bill). On the Autobahn we managed to eat our first McDonald's since leaving Dallas. The place looked like Grand Central Station - go figure!! Fortunately the hamburgers tasted just like home - unfortunately the prices were ridiculous! Last time I pay $6. 00 for a Happy Meal! The toy wasn't that good! Where's the weinerschnitzel when you need it?
Hope you enjoy the little history lesson and the pictures.
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