In Rothemberg

My updating is always slow but still going.

To visit Rothemberg was second time for me. First visiting was in 2003 with my friend. Then we used a package tour because it was the first traveling abroad for two of us. To tell the truth, our destination was not German then but London. We wanted to go to London to see our friend but we couldn't find any tour for only England. So to visit Germany was a sort of "optional tour" for us. But we had a wonderful time then, I remember well. That's why I chose Rothemberg this time, too.

We arrived there in the early evening. We stayed at youth hostel which locates in the end of the town where is surrounded with old wall.

I remembered what the town was like. I was so excited. On a way to the hostel, we dropped at sweets shop and we bought a Shneeball. We thought we should buy only one that time. Because one for each would be too much for us and we wanted to have some sausages too!! Anyway, it was yummy! And we bought another one, a slice of Stollen and a piece of cake next morning...

As soon as we left our laggages, we went to christmas market. As usual I had a wine :) , but my sister was thinking then. She didn't like that kind of wine. It was strong for her and she prefered another drink. Then we saw one boy drinking something hot and the cup was same as the one for wine. We wondered he was drinking wine or another one. Finally I bravery asked the man who seemed to be the boy's father in German!

me : Entschuldigung. Was ist das?
father : It's a kinderpunch for children. It's not wine.
me : Ah, I see! (...? I could understand...)
father : Where are you from?
me : Japan.
father : Do you like here?
me : Yes!
.....our conversation was like that...I skipped the detail. Anyway, the point I want to mention here is, even I asked in German, he answered in English! Hahaha.

We shared the room with one American girl who was studying in Dablin. It was like "long time no hear" American accent... For me, American accent was used to be the most familiar sound. But now it's changed. And also she might be a teenager or young girl anyway. I felt some difficulty to understand her English.

Next morning, we walked on the wall along the town.
our hostel

When we were walking in a town, one woman spoke to me, "Do you know where the post office is?" in Japanese, ans as if she asked her neighbor. I don't think I was speaking Japanese then but she didn't have any hesitation to speak to me in Japanese. Yes, it's true there were many Japanese tourists...
We went to Minich!! This picture was taken at the station to change the trains. Many Suzuki were carried. :) Just that. :) But it was interesting for me.

Trip in Neurnberg

I started my trip in Europe with my sister. We flew to Germany from Stansted airport by Rynair. The flight was only for two hours, I think. We arrived at Frankfurt Hahn. Yes, it was no that biggest airport...:( We didn't check where we arrive in Germany exactly. But I could expect there was some transportation to main city. Yes. We found a shuttle bus. It took one hour and 12euro for each. Hum. We doubted we arrived there because our destination was not Frankfurt but Neurnberg. Anyway, we could take a train from Frankfuｒt (big city as you know! We should have done sightseeing there...?) to Neurnberg.




I chose that we would visit Neurnberg. The city was famous for christmas market. And my dicision was right! It was pretty city. We stayed at backpacker's hostel. I wanted to book another youth hostel but it was already full. But this one we stayed was really nice and cute room. In our room, two more Japanese girls were staying.

One of the staff was Australian who attended to us. I felt difficulty a bit to understand his accent because maybe I got used to British accent and also my brain was working in Japanese during being my sister.

Next morning, we went to the bank to change my T/C. There were two men at the reception. And in front of the older man, there was one customer so I went ahead to younger man who looked younger than me.
I saind "Hallo" and continued in English. I didn't know if he understood English or he didn't know if my request was possible. Anyway he asked his boss next to him in German. Then his boss spoke English and yes, so I expected that young guy would do, but no. He told me to wait in a queue. Some people started to wait behind me later soon and the boy was doing nothing and just sitting. Only his boss was working hard and doing everything even though there were many customers waiting.
For me and my sister, this thing was one of funny story, somehow. We guessed he might be on a training. Anyway we never forget that boy at city bank who had bandage on his left hand.

After we got some money, we went to a sort of castle. It's called Kaiserburg. It's located in a hill and in the end of the town. The view from there was nice!

After visiting this castle, we headed for the market straightly :) They sold many sausages with bread, wine, sweets, ornaments for christmas tree...
↓small ferris wheel
We stayed there for two nights. Next town is Rothemberg.

Happy New Year!!!

I'm back here in Japan on 5th of January.
My staying in UK for ten weeks and my trip for 16 days finished.

Thank my family for giving me this wonderful chance. I made lots of friend from oversea.

Thank everyone I met during this adventure for their kindness.
Everyone was nice and kind to me. So I didn't get homesick at all. I have one thing I regtet. Every time people left, I couldn't express my feeling, how I was happy to meet them, how I appreciated their kindness... My English was not enought to do that when we were about to be apart. I could say just "thank you" and "keep in touch". These were not enough. I wanted to say more each time to each person.

By the way, these three months has many many stories including silly one for the others but not for me. I don't thing I'd write all of them but I want to do as long as my motivation continues.:)
I guess I should write latest news but as I always mention it, this work is for my studying, so who cares? :)