I’ve been on a number of trains, boats, and buses lately. The German transportation networks are well-run and extensive. They even include bikes but I haven’t rented one (yet) so my experience with those has been learning to stay off the bike path parts of the sidewalk.
I’m currently in Hamburg after two days on the Rhein. I stayed in a cute little village, famous for its wine, called Bacharach. My hotel was coverted from an old city wall tower.
During those couple days I took in Bacharach, the Rhine river via a boat cruise, St. Goar, Koblenz, and a tiny bit of Köln (Cologne). Saturday was the day of surprise gatherings (to me anyway). Just outside Koblenz Hauptbahnhof (main train station) an anti-war group was putting on a demonstration to music. Just outside Köln cathedral was a big “Free Öcalan” march, complete with a noticeable police presence, curious onlookers (of which I was one), and news cameras. And in Koblenz the second time, in my search for the Deutsche Eck, I ran across the Rhein in Flammen festival.
Sunday I traveled to Hamburg and spent an enjoyable evening with my host family.
Today I toured downtown Hamburg via bus, city train, subway, ferry, and on foot (of course!). The evening included a free jazz concert on an old, permanently docked boat and meeting new friends.
And that’s a quick summary. I have much more to share but it’s waaaaay past my bedtime. So goodnight. And I will post again in a few days, with photos.