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| This ornate chest contains blood (thought to be that of Christ), brought back by Knights Crusader in the 1100's. |
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| The lower basilica is quite old, very simple and very peaceful. |
After that, time for a train ride or three...
(side note: these are driving directions but you get the gist. Train A from Bruges to Brussels, train B from Brussels to Cologne, train C from Cologne to Bonn).
Our friend Steffi and her son Max picked us up from the train station and whisked us away to Holzweiler. We were very tired and VERY grateful to see some friendly faces.
After arriving at their house, our hosts Steffi and Ludger (and their sons Luis and Max) suggested dinner in Ahrweiler, a picture-perfect German town just down the valley from their home.
So we piled into their van...
and headed out!
We stopped on the way to take a look at Dernau, nestled deep in the heart of the Ahr valley (noted for its wonderful wines)
Dernau is also noted for its "wine queens" or Weinkönigin!
We proceeded down into Ahrweiler for a traditional (and tasty) German dinner. I had Schnitzel Wilddieb and learned that the German word for "chanterelle" is Pfifferling. I should also add that Schnitzel is delicious.
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| Ahrweiler? More like "AWWW-weiler!" Seriously, this town is adorable. |
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| L-R: Max, Luis, Ludger, Brett, Shannon, Erin, Steffi! |
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| This is the face of a picky eater who just discovered a new food (schnitzel) is very, very tasty. |
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| My lovely and awesome wife, Shannon. |
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| Old wine press. |
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| On the way home we drove by some German bunkers reserved for government use should a major war ever erupt. Apparently the Ahr valley is full of these installations, but I'll say no more because I hear the Bundesnachrichtendienst at the door and they say they want a word with me... |
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