Sunday Adventures!

Hi everyone! So it's really late as I am writing this, so if it is full of mistakes: Sorry!

I was woken up this morning to a combination of church bells (which were pretty soothing) and a small child outside my window saying "WUNDERBAR! WUNDERBAR! WUNDERBAR!" for about two hours straight. So overall, a strange way to start a day!

Today I started off the day going by heading out a little early and heading to the bakery for something to eat and drink before meeting Hannah and Rachel at Hannah's for the day!

My shins have been killing me all week and it has been really hard adjusting to the hilly and stone paved streets, but I have to get around, so Emily: Suck it up! Be a man! Rub some dirt in it!

I got to Hannah's and she met me downstairs and Rachel eventually came along too!

We looked pretty tired!

We decided to go to a bakery so that Hannah and Rachel could eat breakfast, and then after that we chose to spend some time down by the Neckar River before we met up with Zach and Jake at 3 to meet Dr. Malchow and the Reutlingen students at 4.

What a perfect day to go to the Neckar! And, Hannah showed me how to use my camera a little more effectively and creatively, so here are some of the shots I got!

This one is probably my favorite. It has the bright yellow building that really sticks out through all the green! I thought this was just so pretty!

Bridge near the Neckar River on the island walk way.

Me by the River!

I was playing with my camera a bit...

...and a bit more...

After we got done sightseeing we met up with Zach and Jake and then met with the Reutlingen students. Then we were shown around the city by Herr Singer, who had lived in the city at one point for thirty-five years, and was very involved in the University.

He took us up to the castle, and told us all of the history behind the Neckar River, the University itself, its' founder, the art of the city, the castle, and much more!

Here is one of the gates into the castle!

Up close, you can see (Matt) that there is a head right above the archway. This head is a Gorgon head and was placed there to keep harm out of the castle!

Another shot of the gate, with Jake looking in amazement! Ooh Aah!

Here is the view from that first gate! Quite a hike!

Here we are pretty tired after our hike! I know, I'm special.

Here are some of the buildings on the way up to the castle! I thought that all of the colors were just amazing!

Here was the crest of someone, that at this moment I cannot remember! Sorry!

Gorgon head again up close!

Here is the wall of the castle, with the tower standing on the end of the it! The other tower was blown up, as the French dug a tunnel through it and blew it up! Those crazy French!

Don't really know why I felt the need to take this picture. Just thought it was pretty!

Here is the view of Tübingen from where we hiked up to! It is no mystery where the giant blister on the bottom of my toe came from!

The inside of the castle.

Even back then they had Chokeys! Better watch myself!

After we got done being showed Tübingen, we ended up eating at the Neckarmueller again! I had the Puntensteak am Grill, which is the Turkey Steak! It was really good! Everyone had beer, as the Neckarmueller is a brewery, but I got some water and a Coke (I did try the beer, and I must say, it did not appeal to me). 

After a nice dinner we said goodbye, and all of us Tübingeners stopped in the bathrooms. It was then that I noticed that I had a huge rip in the back of my jeans which I got from catching them on the chair before eating. Rachel and Hannah graciously helped me hide it, and then it was off for a little ice cream before I got to go back to my house and change!

Started this trip with four jeans. Am now down to three.

We then all went back to Hannah's and relaxed for a while. It was a while before we decided to go out to a bar for the night. We walked around the city looking for a place to go. We finally decided on Collegium, which is just around the corner from my house. I got some drink that I don't remember the name of.

It was a fun night and now I am just sitting back at my room after a shower, blogging for all of you at home to be able to follow my adventures. 

I will write again tomorrow when I get the chance, but tomorrow will not be as exciting as we have a lot of busy work to take care of. Rent to pay, paperwork to sign, Hausmeisters to meet, and banks to visit! Wahoo!

Before I sign off, I would like to leave you with my quote of the day:

"Bin ich eine Frau? Nein."

For those of you who do not know German, feel free to look that one up! =]

Bis spaeter!