Last view of the city

Franken wine fields

We stopped by a wine cellar, Michl was buying a gift for a friend's
50th wedding anniversary. The owner was a classmate of Michl's sister
and he not only runs the wine cellar but he grows the grapes.

Here are a view of his wine fields. Just gorgeous.

Rothenburg's city wall

Great view of the city wall. This side of the city has a series of
three walls to provide defense.

A sword from the crusades

One of the benefits of visiting a museum that someone used to live in
is that it provides one with some unlikely scenarios.

Here I am holding a sword from the Crusades in @1300AD. The museum
director, he knows Michl, opened up the case it was in and let me hold
it. It's crazy to put your hands on something that has so much history.

A day in Rothenburg

On Wednesday Michl took me to his home town, Rothenburg ob den Tauber.
Anytime some one takes you to their hometown it's special but this
trip was awesome. Michl's father was the town's mayor around the
turbulent years of World War II.

We visited the city history museum which was also one of the places he
lived in Rothenburg. He has so many stories about every place in the
town.

Many may recognize the city as one of the most visited cities along
the "Romantic Road". Everywhere one turns you see a view that is
postcard worthy. Michl took me past the tourist areas and everywhere
we turned someone knew him.

Music in the beer garden

Once someone says, "Germany", aloud there are a few definitive images
that come to the mind of most. Two of which are beer and oompah pah
(sp?) bands.

Tonight I had both. Michl, Isle, and I met the Pfeils in town to have
a few beers, something to eat, and listen to the band. Tons of fun!

The place was packed, not a free seat anywhere. As the band played
people jumped on the table tops, danced, and sang. In German you say,
"Gemöglichkeit", there isn't really a literal translation for the word
but "Good times and health" will have to do.

And yes the sax player is in the crowd. The band mainly played German,
specifically, Bavarian songs. (think about a German version of county
music). They did end with two cover songs, "We are the champions" and
"you shook me all night long".

City crests of the area

This pole is in the city center. It has the crests of some of the
towns and villages of the area. The symbol of Gunzenhausen is th light
blue one on top.

Frühstuck beim Schmidt

Here is the view of the backyard as we eat a classic German breakfast.

We had meat, cheese, and bread to die for.

Being here with the Schmidt's where I spent a summer over 20 years an
have visited several times since makes me realize a few things. One,
I'm old. Two, although some specifics details fade, great memories
always stay with you.

A view from downtown Gunzenhausen

I'm strolling around the downtown with a cup of coffee. Sunny and 68
degrees. Ausgezeignet! (outstanding)

Long conversations into the night

This clever bag/candle lamp provided us light well into the night.

Safely at the Schmidt's in Gunzenhausen

With an effiiency only the Germans can muster I arrived via mass
transit in Gunzenhausen and was picked up ny Michel.

From there we went to their back porch which overlooks the Franconian
countryside.

Beer and sausage, I guess I'm in Germany.

All is well in München

I'm sitting on the train ready to head out to Gunzenhausen. Made the
connections from airport to S-Bahn to Deutsche Bahn with no problems.
I even had a few minutes to pick up a samich for the ride.

Arrived in Germany!

The flight and luggage pick up went smooth. I'm on the S1 to Munich's
central trainstation to buy a ticket to Gunzenhausen.

Tschüs!

Heading to Germany and my birthplace, Gunzenhausen!

With a tearful goodbye to Finland I head to Germany, specifically
Gunzenhausen.

I was born there a little over 40 years ago when my parents lived
there while my Dad participated in Fulbright exchange program. As a
German teacher in the states he taught English in the Simon-Marius
Gymnasium (school no a gym) and the English teacher there came to the
states and taught German.

I was an exchange student there the summer between my junior and
senior year of high school. So my birthplace does feel like my home
town.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunzenhausen

Moi moi, Soumi! Paljon kiitoksia!

Sayin goodbye is terrible so let's just say, "Till we see each other
again."

It was GREAT to see everyone. I can't thank everyone enough for their
hospitality, kindness, and generosity. From hosting me, joining me in
Russia, and making time to renew and strengthen old friendships. It
was also great to start new ones that I hope will grow over time.

There are not words to express how heartwarming an life affirming it
is to travel to a foreign country but feel so at home.

I love history and touring the museums and churches of a new city.
There is no substitute to sitting at the someone's home and sharing a
meal, drinks, and conversations. If the world did this more there
would be less conflict and war.

Twain, wrote that, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-
mindedness." No truer words have been spoken.

Päivi, our families have known each other for years and I hope for
years to come. In fact it is far more accurate to say we are family.

Thanks!

Sent from John Stephany's Old iPhone

Dessert

Päivi made the dessert. The cake tasted even better than it looks, and
it looks great!

Everyone made something.

Grilling fishes

Timo and a small fish. He breaded and grilled a bunch of these. Tasted
great.

Slow and low in Finland

Yesterday Timo and I floated around the markets and butchers of
Helsinki looking for a piece of pig to BBQ.

We found a great cut and then we prepared a feast for my last evening
in Finland.

We rubbed the pig with some local and
Memphis spices, yes I travel with BBQ rub, and then we smoked it in a
box on a grill. The smoke box is usually used with fish but it worked
great.

Here is the final product.

Tubing

They estimated that over 8,000 people made the float. Very impressive.

Tubing cont.

Although the lion's share of the tubing enthusiasts use store bought
ships, some were a bit more creative. They were actually grilling on
this.

Tubing in Finland

Every year during the last month of July there has been an unofficial
tubing excursion down a small river near Vantaa, a suburb of Helsinki.

Here are the masses preparing. Very similiar to the Norm led tubing
excusions down @the fourth of July weekend. Yes, lots of beer.

BBQ, Finnish style! Part 4

The finished product of the Finnish smoked salmon! It was fantastic.

BBQ, Finnish style! Part 3

The smoke box.

BBQ, Finnish style! Part 2

You add the salmon. All of this is placed into a smoke box which is
placed on the grill.

BBQ, Finnish style! Part 1

First you add some wood chips and then some small planks of wood to
place the salmon on.

Great market in downtown Helsinki near the harbor

Orthodox Church in Helsinki

Beautiful church and it's many icons.

Coffe house / Boat

We took a short break from oir toiring and had some iced coffee.

The stone church in Helsinki

After a fantastic cruise around the waters of the Gulf of Finland/
Baltic Sea we toured around Helsinki. One of the sights was a striking
stone church. It was where Päivi and Timo where married.