july 5th

Guest blogger today: Carissa

I started my trip yesterday with a early romantic run with Benny through the quiet streets of Flintsbach. We had the same lofty expectations for today but instead slept in (courtesy of last night's festivities). We were finally roused when local scents swirled in through our open windows. You are probably expecting that aromas of edelweis wafted up through our nostrils but alas, the fragrance of cow manure awoke us to a new day--which after a few days here feels familiar to us. Four of us went down to breakfast and then all of us readied ourselves for some tennis...on clay courts. Patrick soon joined us and the boys played a sweaty and grueling game of doubles while Bonnie and I found shady spots on tops of grassy knolls for reading.

We were soon ravenously hungry and walked to the Penny Markt which we knew would be open today. We loaded up on cheeses and meats and grapes and juices and had a feast by a creek in Brannenburg. We kept on walking, farther from our home to a local tennis shop to have a couple of our rackets restrung. We then took a detour to find a local thrift shop, "this way" a sign tells us. After walking through yards and down neighborhood streets and stopping two different women for directions, we arrive at a garage full of some traditional Bayerisch garb, German books, and discarded trinkets. After no purchases, we retrace our steps, finally back to the Penny Markt when Bonnie has the best idea of the day: floats for swimming in our local water hole. By the time we have made ourselves out to be unmistakable American tourists (swimwear, flip flops and matching blown up rafts and inner tubes) the weather is cool and wet. But we are set on swimming after so much walking. And we do, though its cold and not very refreshing.

By now, the butter cheese and paprika salami have worn off and we are ready for dinner (back in Brannenburg) at Barolo's, an Italian gem. We order pizzas all around. We are nearly satisfied but Venezia (fabulous gelato stop) is just across the street. We walk home after another rain storm and all stumble into one of our rooms for cards, blogging, skyping, and lounging. Another beautiful day in Germany, so schön.