So, Mark wanted to head to another aviation museum, which was about a 2 hour drive from Trier. Oh, um, more airplanes? I think the girls and I will sit this one out. Danke. So he left early in the morning, and I had to come up with a plan to keep the girls occupied. With no car. Park? A walk downtown? Come on. We only had a short time left in Germany, let's go for it.
So I decided to take the girls to Cochem. It's a city that we had found (and heard about previously) as we were coming back from the wild animal and them park a few weeks before. It is said to be one of the most romantic cities in Germany. So of course it would make a perfect place to go with my children. Hmmm...I got on the train website and found that it was an hour ride. Okay, we can do that. I printed the tickets and quickly got us all ready for the day.
Now any of you who have traveled know what a feat it is to go somewhere new. Now do it a)in a hurry) b)with a 1 and a 5 year old c)with your "backup" gazing at airplanes 2 hours away d)on a train e)in a language you don't know, just hoping you are on the right train. Needless to say I was thrilled when the girls were cooperating and pretty much willing to sit in their seats on the train and hang out. While I napped. Okay, no nap.
We made it there. To the train station in Cochem. Now what? We just started walking. Okay, I walked while Casey and Maya enjoyed the stroller. And we started towards town. Or what seemed like town. Or where all the action was. Cuz it wasn't at the train station, that's for sure.
We came upon a little craft fair. Cute. And fun to watch the various artisans overcharge all of us tourists. We went for it and made a few purchases. But I just didn't think it was as urgent as Casey did, to bring home a bear carved out of a log. So she settled on a donkey pin. Yeah. Okay.
We wandered around. And of course had ice cream before lunch. Why not. And it kept their mouths occupied for a whole 10 minutes. We were getting hungry for lunch, and we found "Elli's Shnitzel House". Oh, so this would be unique and different German food? Nah. Not so much. But it was tasty. And I only had to force feed one child. Casey loves shnitzel. The other one, not so much. But she was plenty happy with french fries. And that qualified as a meal to me, on my own, just hoping to get through the day without any tantrums. From me or the kids.
We wandered around for a bit. Saw the castle on the hill. Took pictures of the castle on the hill. "Mommy, can we go to the castle?" Me "No". And then I saw a park across the river. But we can go to the park. Yeah. Squeals of joy. Yippee. Oh, you mean we could have just gone to the park back in Trier instead of trapsing to Cochem? Yeah, but then I wouldn't have a blog post and pictures. Geez.
All in all it was a great day. The girls behaved well (yeah, so I plied them with candy and carbs, so?) Mark was super impressed that I was willing (and able) to take them on my own, to Cochem, and survive the day. And I got to hold it over him for a few days. So it was a win for everyone!
Maya on the train
Casey amazed at the goose in it's nest down below
Loved the architecture
Oh how they wanted to go in. Oh how I didn't want them to go in.
Abfall=Garbage Can. Kewl.
Pretty picturesque. Castle on the hill. Not too shabby.
And yes, we DID eat at Ell'is Shnitzel house
Fun day!
