Monday, September 8

Tourists

We live in an area that is fairly well known for it's wine. Much of the wine region is along a wide and long river called the Mosel. This past weekend we attended a wine festival in Bernkastle-Keus called “Weinfest der Mittelmosel”(wine festival of the Mosel river). It was lovely, and enjoyable even though Sarge and I are not big wine drinkers. We started out at the midway, where Piko deGallo got to jump on this jumpy...thing. She was having a great time, and the rest of the "jumpy things" were not busy, so the guy let her jump a little while extra, and even slingshotted her high up in the air once.

We then walked along the hand crafters market to the bridge that spans the Mosel, and got a great view of the castle ruins.

We crossed over the river to the opposite bank where all of the wine booths were. The town is beautiful. The streets are cobbled, and the houses and buildings all look like they just had a fresh coat of paint. There were many examples of what I would consider to be German architecture. I don't know the exact term for it, but they are those kind of stucco houses with the wood beam inlays, it might be called "half timbered". I know, I'm a real expert. Winding narrow streets, and the occasional traditional band playing were awesome, we're planning another trip back there just to view the town. Unfortunately it was also filled with hoards of obnoxious drunken Americans.

Since we are lame, and don't drink wine, we got some ice cream and headed back over to the other side of the river. We got there pretty early, and wanted to wait for the fireworks. So we bought some fantastic antipasto from a vendor, and spread out our blanket on the bank directly across from the castle. Piko deGallo of course was only interested in the swans. Really, looking back on it, I suppose I'm not the best person to give advice on the whole Wine portion of the festival. But it was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and the fireworks were spectacular!
Gotta love fireworks set to the Star Wars theme.

4 comments:

she said: said...

Those are amazing shots.

I'm not a big drinker either - but the wine at those festivals always gave me a headache. Much too sweet.

Were they shooting those fireworks over the river? Because that seems super-cool.

MdG said...

They were shooting the fireworks from the castle on the hill and from a barge on the river. We didn't even know it when we sat down, but we parked ourselves right infront of the barge.
I think it was supposed to be a reenactment of the sacking of the castle.

I need someone to lead me at wine things. You know...Hey, try this one. I usually go for the food.

Gifted Typist said...

I think I stayed in the castle once back in the 80swhen touring Germany. I saw Robert Smith from The Cure in the castle's restaurant. I'm sure it's the same one

MdG said...

GT, did you really?!? We didn't make it up to the castle itself, but I think that we might on another visit.

I love that town. So pretty.