17.6.04
Kai, Kastles, and Kirches
I forgot to post a photo of one of my cousins much to his dismay...here you go K.
Now that that's out of the way, there's always more beer...
Photos of Trifels - Henry VI. (1190-1197), German King and Emperor, forced King Richard I of England (Cocur de Lion - the Lionheart) to make an oath of allegiance and made England officially a German fiefdom. Henry's residence was Trifels castle (formally Burg Trifels). In the high Middle Ages, the imperial castle of Trifels was regarded as a cornerstone of imperial power - "he who holds the Trifels, holds the empire."
Anyway, someone had to haul a hell of a lot of rocks up the mountain...
Now that that's out of the way, there's always more beer...
Photos of Trifels - Henry VI. (1190-1197), German King and Emperor, forced King Richard I of England (Cocur de Lion - the Lionheart) to make an oath of allegiance and made England officially a German fiefdom. Henry's residence was Trifels castle (formally Burg Trifels). In the high Middle Ages, the imperial castle of Trifels was regarded as a cornerstone of imperial power - "he who holds the Trifels, holds the empire."
Anyway, someone had to haul a hell of a lot of rocks up the mountain...
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Anyway, went to the kousin/kousine fest last night - basically all of my German cousins were supposed to show up...unfortunately only half or so made it. There was Batina, Susie, Gabi, Eva, Martina, Ilsa, Dieder and a couple others...it appears photobucket is online again so I'll post photos for the last couple of days when I have some time - heading out to Treipfalz today, a small castle nearby.
Anyway, went to the kousin/kousine fest last night - basically all of my German cousins were supposed to show up...unfortunately only half or so made it. There was Batina, Susie, Gabi, Eva, Martina, Ilsa, Dieder and a couple others...it appears photobucket is online again so I'll post photos for the last couple of days when I have some time - heading out to Treipfalz today, a small castle nearby.
14.6.04
No pictures?
Photobucket.com is upgrading their site...so pictures may not show up. Actually, the website is great and offers free hosting of photos unlike most other sites. So I'll wait.
Went out to Ober-Edelsteine yesterday - basically a big non-precious and precious stone deposit. They started mining in early 1800s - huge crystalline eggs, quartz, tormaline, and others. Edelsteine is now the largest concentration of minerologists/diamonteeres in the world - it is actually called The World Trade Center of precious stones. There was store after store of jewelery shops selling everything from uncut rocks for 2 Euros to beautiful jewelry in the 5000 Euro range. Edelsteine is also the only place where there was a church cut directly into the rock face along with the castle on top.
Klaus also turned 40 yesterday, so we snuck over last night and hung in his front yard a big sheet welcoming him into the 40 year old club, as well as a pile of balloons and assorted gardening utensils and clothes that we found on his clothesline.
Went out to Ober-Edelsteine yesterday - basically a big non-precious and precious stone deposit. They started mining in early 1800s - huge crystalline eggs, quartz, tormaline, and others. Edelsteine is now the largest concentration of minerologists/diamonteeres in the world - it is actually called The World Trade Center of precious stones. There was store after store of jewelery shops selling everything from uncut rocks for 2 Euros to beautiful jewelry in the 5000 Euro range. Edelsteine is also the only place where there was a church cut directly into the rock face along with the castle on top.
Klaus also turned 40 yesterday, so we snuck over last night and hung in his front yard a big sheet welcoming him into the 40 year old club, as well as a pile of balloons and assorted gardening utensils and clothes that we found on his clothesline.
13.6.04
Revisitation
Have started posting thumbnails - click on the thumnail to get a better view...
Thurs. June 10
Got up
Go swimming - the outdoor schwimbath in Herxheim is amazing.
Do some physical labour for Susie in the form of digging a ditch for a new pathway - believe it or not after working indoors all the time, it was kind of pleasurable.
Then outside of Herxheim for a bbq:
Met Siggy who worked at Nato for a while, then ran his own business in the East Block, and now has his own furniture company in Herxheim.
And a couple of other people...things got a bit crazy...
After a couple of beers...
Went to bed...
Fri. June 11
Got up and went to Landau with some people...shopped a bit...did the post below, and then went to a party with Nadine, Nico, Karina, Jurgen and several others. Had a little more to drink and partied the night away.
Saturday. June 12
Rode my bike back into Landau to capture a couple of pics. But first took a roundabout ride through Mörlheim.
Mörlheim
Landau
An interesting story about the castle below - it was originally in Herxheim in the 1800s. But differences grew between the mayor and the owner. The owner, being rich, decided enough was enough and moved the castle stone for stone to where it sits now in Landau.
Slept some more...ate a bit, had a beer, and went off to the Rorbach Weinfest. Imagine 4000 crammed into a narrow street. Now add lots of wine. Good party. Too much to drink. Went to bed.
Sunday, June 13
Woke up with a slight hangover...plans to watch Julia in a horseback riding competition and then sit around and watch the Montreal Formula I.
Thurs. June 10
Got up
Go swimming - the outdoor schwimbath in Herxheim is amazing.
Do some physical labour for Susie in the form of digging a ditch for a new pathway - believe it or not after working indoors all the time, it was kind of pleasurable.
Then outside of Herxheim for a bbq:
Met Siggy who worked at Nato for a while, then ran his own business in the East Block, and now has his own furniture company in Herxheim.
And a couple of other people...things got a bit crazy...
After a couple of beers...
Went to bed...
Fri. June 11
Got up and went to Landau with some people...shopped a bit...did the post below, and then went to a party with Nadine, Nico, Karina, Jurgen and several others. Had a little more to drink and partied the night away.
Saturday. June 12
Rode my bike back into Landau to capture a couple of pics. But first took a roundabout ride through Mörlheim.
Mörlheim
Landau
An interesting story about the castle below - it was originally in Herxheim in the 1800s. But differences grew between the mayor and the owner. The owner, being rich, decided enough was enough and moved the castle stone for stone to where it sits now in Landau.
Slept some more...ate a bit, had a beer, and went off to the Rorbach Weinfest. Imagine 4000 crammed into a narrow street. Now add lots of wine. Good party. Too much to drink. Went to bed.
Sunday, June 13
Woke up with a slight hangover...plans to watch Julia in a horseback riding competition and then sit around and watch the Montreal Formula I.
