Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Day 1

It's the Meistertrunk Festival for Whitsun (Pentecost) and it will be in full swing tomorrow. We got here early to get the lay of the land.  Of course, our travels weren't uneventful! We went 44 km out of our way since we missed our highway turn but chose another to get to A6 (autobahn). Unfortunately, due to road construction, we couldn't go west on A6 so we had to take the east. Figuring we could just take the next exit and get back going in the right direction, we headed out. The construction had closed a number of entrance ramps for the opposite direction and so a nice drive of the countryside is what we had until we could do an ausfahrt (I KNOW what you're thinking!) but that's German for exit...either way…something is exiting!  ;-)

The signage in Germany is good but it doesn’t repeat or reinforce your location or the next exit so you better make sure and see the first sign when it comes up. I do like that the maps have the exit numbers listed on them but I sometimes confuse the exit number with a highway label. Oooh.

Got to TOP Goldenes Fass in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (or Rothenburg o.d.T as the signs refer to it) and were able to check in early. Our room is fabulous! In fact, it’s a family suite with a bathroom between the adult bedroom with 2 twins and a pullout double bed couch AND a small bedroom with a bunk bed in it! And we mustn’t forget the balcony! And the bathtub is deep and long so I took every advantage with this offered luxury of a soak.  What a beautiful location and only a 25 minute walk to the old town at a Grandma’s pace and not the 15 minute walk as advertised.

After checkin, we were thrilled to leave our car parked and go out to explore this Medieval Town. Narrow streets and quaint shops abound. Our goal was the Market Square to get our Meistertrunk tickets for tomorrow and hopefully find a Catholic church for Sunday Mass.  Mission accomplished on both fronts.  But we HAD to try a schneeballen which is overadvertised and supposed to be like our powdered doughnuts.  NOT! They are strips of bland pie crust crumpled into a ball and dusted with powdered sugar or coated with a variety of toppings like chocolate.  One was more than enough for this entire trip.

Chocolate glazed & cinnamon sugar schneeballen.

An introduction to start the Whitsun (Pentecost) Festival took place in this square and all the roving troubadours, members of the Meistertrunk play, and dignitaries took their bows with intermittent musical interjections. Mummenschanz was the group that I posted in Facebook playing the theme to Game of Thrones.  They are the German gypsies who walked from town to town entertaining, juggling and gambling with the locals.  

Mummenschanz Troupe

I don’t do well standing in one place for a long time. So after about 45 minutes, I left to find a street-side table, order a wine and wait for Melodie to find me. We had Hausgemachte Kasspatzle mit Rostawiebeln und Salat (homemade cheese noodles with onions, garlic, roasted potatoes and salad) and, of course, a glass a German wine. 

No protein in sight unless you count the cheese on the homemade noodles.

We were at the right spot a few feet away to meet the Night Watchman as we joined his band of followers for his nightly rounds. He explained that he needed his hellebarde to fend off unsavory characters during his rounds as he was third from the bottom of low professions only beat out by the grave digger and the executioner who "worked hand in hand by sharing clients".  He was dry and entertaining as he explained the history of Rothenburg and his job. The walking tour took an hour as he guided us through the city streets and his 8 euro fee wasn’t paid until the end…Scout’s honor applied.  But first, a little fun with the Hessions in the Square.

Night Watchman with his hellebarde, lantern and fire warning horn.

Our walk back to the room left me tired and unable to post this blog in a timely manner. So now you will get a couple of them as I try to catch up before leaving Rothenburg ob der Tauber.