Weisbaden and Mainz

We worked hard all week with Bob dealing with challenging situations in the office, and me off in the schools and writing a power point presentation. On Monday evening we had FHE with Bev and Paul Roberts at their apartment in Bad Vilbel and played a really fun card game. On Wednesday evening we had dinner and a missionary discussion with Alejandra and the Sister Missionaries at Dave and Julie Coltons. She made us  delicious crock pot enchiladas with all the trimmings! I made a new date cake with chocolate topping.

 

Then hooray for Saturday! It is always such a special day that we always look forward to.

I went early to two flomarkts with Jerry Dearing. My collection of nesting dolls is growing. 

I always stop at this crepe wagon to get a cheese crepe before leaving.

 

Today the woman who always works there looked at me and made the cutting sign with her fingers to show that she remembered that I always like my crepe cut in half, so that I can share it. I was so excited! She knows who I am. I have a friend! One thing that is really frustrating about living in Germany and not being fluent in the language is that you meet these great people all the time, and you want to share your thoughts and feelings with them, but all you can do is smile.

Then we headed off with the Dearings to Wiesbaden in southwest Germany. Wiesbaden is located on the right (northern) bank of the Rhine River. To the north of the city are the Taunus Mountains. Settlement dates back to the Neolithic era. Historical records document continuous occupancy after the erection of a Roman fort in 6 AD. It is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. Its name translates to "meadow baths."  At one time, Wiesbaden boasted 26 hot springs of which fourteen are still flowing today.

Finding a parking place is always a challenge. There were lots of expensive cars parked on this street as it has very high end shopping.

We finally found a parking space, but it was too narrow for us to open the doors and get out. So we all got out,and Karen saved the day by parking the car, then climbing into the back seat and out the back door.

This street was filled with people dining in their very fancy clothes.

At the town square, we enjoyed an International Fair.

The buildings in Weisbaden were extraordinary.

We loved this painted building.

We sat on a park bench and took a breather while enjoying this fountain.

This is the Marktkirche, and of course, we got to see another wedding! This church reminded us a bit of the Salt Lake Temple.

The shops had lots of really cool stuff, but all very expensive!

This young man is eleven years old. He played the cello very well and was making good tips. There were several other street musicians in Weisbaden. We always enjoy stopping to listen. It reminds us of our own kids going off to play on the wintry streets of Salt Lake City at Christmas time.

One more, but not nearly as cute:

 
We headed back toward the bridge and crossed over the Rhine River.

We didn't see any hot springs, but we did get to see something rare in this part of Germany--a small beach crowded with sun bathers.


Hungry, we headed straight for Mainz.

We ate at our favorite restaurant--Mexico Lindo. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but it is cute inside. The Mexican food is the best you can get in Germany, but probably on a medium scale for Utah.

What a fun day!