I’m sorry for my absence, but this has been a very busy week.
This week I’ve been celebrating with great friends who are moving on from Germany and savoring the presence of two of my best friends from home who came to Germany to visit.
On Tuesday night, Sebastian and I drove to Weeze airport to pick up my friend Christina.
Her flight arrived at 10:55 pm so were able to enjoy the sunset over the autobahn. This photo was taken around 10:15. Both Christina and Katie have been amazed by how late the sun sets in Germany.
Christina and I stayed up talking well into the night. On Wednesday, I went into work for the last time until August.
The end of the school year is really bitter-sweet this year. I’m so sad to say goodbye to three of my dearest friends and to the best class imaginable, but I’m excited to travel and relax.
Once school was out on Wednesday, Christina and I went to a beautiful restaurant called The Bastei and enjoyed a delicious lunch overlooking the Rhine.
I had a mixed salad with baked goat cheese. It was divine.
After that, the sight seeing began.
We crossed the Rhine on a ferry to the town of Königswinter then took an old cog train up to the Drachenfels.
It was a beautiful afternoon in the Seven Hills Forest.
The view from the top was as breathtaking as ever.
Regardless of the construction to the viewing platform.
We brought the binoculars along so were able to see even further.
After viewing the southern part of the Rhine from the temporary viewing platform, we hiked the rest of the way up to the Drachenfels ruins to look north.
Although a storm was rolling in, we could still see the Cologne Cathedral.
Christina’s first and only full day in Germany ended with meeting my friends Kate, Zoe and Will for dinner and drinks.
Sadly, the next morning we were up early and drove to Cologne to put Christina on a bus headed back to the airport.
Although her trip was much to short, it was wonderful to catch up with such a wonderful friend.
I can’t wait until she returns!
Thursday night, Sebastian and I went to my friend Josh’s house for a Mexican food party.
Although the vegetarian enchiladas, Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole and salsas were out of this world, the party was not really about the food… it was about the friends.
Friends who will sadly be leaving Germany in the next week.
The night was full of laughter and love. I will really miss Rachel, Kim and Will.
Lucky for me, in the wake of friends leaving, another friend arrived.
Friday morning, Sebastian and I were back at an airport to pick up another past roommate and wonderful friend, Katie.
I am honored that her first trip abroad is to visit me.
Tomorrow we leave for 9 days of hiking and sightseeing in France so the past two days have been spent planning and preparing for our adventure.
As we will be hiking in the countryside, I’m unsure if I’ll be able to post. I’ll do my best and hope to keep you updated along the way.
I hope everyone had a friend-filled weekend.
Eating Abroad
