Saturday, 14 February 2009

Visit to Melanie's in Kusel, Germany

We had a wonderful visit with Melanie and her family! We loved being in their home and eating the delicious food that Hanne (mom) fixed for us, talking (several languages sometimes), playing games. exploring the town of Kusel on foot, sleeping in Melanie's room, and touring around the surrounding areas by car. What great memories!




2 of Melanie's friends (both named Katie) that came over to meet us and play games the first night (Friday, Jan 30th)











Melanie and her dad, Robert, with a night view of their village out the front window.













Melanie Paul (17 yrs) with her pink "blankie" that we brought home to her from MO! Photo taken just after we arrived in Kusel, Germany at her family's home. (Melanie was AFS student with Lori's family in 2007-2008 in Blue Springs--our granddaughter!)






















Hanne (Melanie's mom, teaches English among other subjects), Melanie, & G-Pa-D the same evening




















Every day Robert took us on a car trip to see surrounding areas. Sat, Jan 31, he & Melanie took us to the ancient city of Trier, Germany in the Mosel Valley. Roman ruins in this photo.




























Beautiful buildings in Trier



















Saturday market just shutting down in Trier.




















The main Altar in the RC cathedral in Trier.





























Couldn't resist this Cherub (similar to so many at Harlaxton)
in Cathedral (Trier)

















Cathedral--Trier






















A governmental palace and gardens in Trier.





















Robert drove us over into a small town inLuxembourg. This is on the Mosel River bridge showing the border between Germany & Luxembourg.



















Just over the border, taken at night with night setting on camera.
(European Union symbol of stars)

















At the end of a good and long day, D sitting in Robert's favorite chair (in front of fireplace) reading book he bought for us of Trier.

















Sunday morning, Feb 1, Kusel village taken from the front window of their house.


















A view of the Pauls' house taken from the driveway.


















Robert and Hanne took us on a loop trip in Germany.
A view of the vineyards & villages in the Rhiune Valley--taken from the base of the Hambach Castle
















Hambach Castle ( Robert with B & D) COLD!


























A vineyard in the Rhine Valley (up close).

















Speyer, Germany--an interesting building housing a museum with a Viking exhibition.





















Speyer Cathedral



















Speyer Cathedral















Speyer, just outside the Cathedral

















An organ grinder along the street from the Cathdral in Speyer. (couldn't resist)






















Hanne & Robert posing in Speyer (with whom?)






















A Mexican cafe in Speyer; we didn't get to try it, unfortunately.






















Hanne's mother, Marie Miller (87 yrs), in her home in Annweiler

She prepared 2 cakes, tea & coffee for us.

She also spoke better English than we spoke German.

Delightful Grandmother of Melanie's--

5th generation in her house.
















Brisk, cold walk around the town of Annweiler with Hanne and Marie.






















Along the Annweiler Canal nearing dusk

















The Castle above the town of Annweiler




















Monday morning, Feb 2, after the snow during the night

Taken from front balcony of house




















Mon, Feb 2, Robert took us to Metz, France (without Melanie or Hanne to translate for him)

He did a wonderful job of speaking with us in English, though it must have been tiring for him!

Large RC Cathedral (Metz) in the snow



















Mosel River in the city of Metz, France




















Getting closer to the Cathedral, Metz




















One of 3 stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall in the Cathedral.






















Taken for Organists and other Church Music lovers--read on.





















The organ in the Swallow's Nest (see previous write-up)

Cathedral, Metz























Robert's NEW school (Middle-school levels) where he is Principal,

Zweibrucken, Germany


















Back home. Melanie, Robert, Hanne, and their Mexican AFS student,

Juan (Colima, Mexico) (Somehow he didn't make it into earlier photos I chose.)






















Lots of game playing when we weren't out touring.

Juan, Robert, and Betty playing "Pounce" at the dining room table


















The whole family out to eat (our thanks treat) at an Italian restaurant in Kusel

Robert, Juan, Dean, Melanie, Hanne, Betty (most of us had pizza--yummy!)














































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