Day 22...three weeks in and 6 countries down

so again i have to be quick and excuse the typos because being quick on a German keyboard is tuff!
we had so much fun today. We went down the Rhine (which is North) on the train to a town called St. Goar. We hiked up to their castle ruins and did the RS (Rick Steve's) tour. It was so cool. Their old prisons where these dark dungeons that they would drop people into from the top - so horrible! The bathroom was also worth mentioning (i don't have an obsession but they are so different here). so for the guys the urinal flush was a guillotine so you had to be sure to be done before you flush. for the girls, there is a window right behind the toilet and you pull down on this thing to flush it - ps i checked and you could see into the bathroom from outside but you would have to know to look because it was somewhat stain-glass looking. then the water for the sink you have to pump the water - super fun! there is pics of the toilet and i think josh got some of the guys.

so after the tour we went out down the hill a little to a lookout with benches where we ate our picnic - the famous peanut butter and bread - and then read for a bit. we walked down the hill to the town to the local store and into their small church. the town had so much history it was fun. we were searching for this mermaid statue the whole time though so we went back to the TI and she told us it was on the other side of the river further South (we would have gone North). We decided to skip it because it was far past the town and walking on the highway with their driving skills isn't worth the risk. But we splurged on the boat ride back - so much better than the train - and we were able to read more out of RS book about the different sights. We got 5 euros off for being students so it was onlz 2 euros more than the train would have been (too bad we didn't know this morning but i guess we got to see it from two different ways). on the boat we found the story of the mermaid - sarah u will love it! it is so funny but i don't have time to tell it now.

We took pics on the boat and laughed as we froze. Josh got a good pic of me power-walkng to get a picture and also with my tourbook and camera (staple for the trip). i got a good one of him "on a boat" - with a castle in the back - it's a good one.

I got ice-cream at the local shop and it was so good - i will also be having some for dessert. we are eating out tonight and we are both so happy about that! I am getting the famous beef with potato dumplings (not sure but RS said to try it and it is better than peanut butter and bread which was last nights dinner) and josh is having the Schnitzel (german dish). then more ice-cream and then packing for our departure tomorrow.

time is up so my love to all and my whole-hearted thanks to God for these three weeks in Europe - the experiences and lessons - and for being able to talk to Courtney on FB today - great timing and much needed.
ciao!
nat