Rothenburg, Germany

As I sit here in my hotel in Budapest, still waiting for my room to be available, I am now catching you up on our river cruise again. 

Our next town was the walled town of Rothenburg, which in fact kept expanding over time so has a series of walls around it. We visited the town on Saturday 3 June. 

As it turned out, we were there on the perfect day. The entire town and surrounding area was having incredible festivities to celebrate Pentecost Day. The town was not only full of tourists but also of many locals of all ages dressed in period costume acting out the town’s past as well as singing, dancing and playing music. There was such an air of excitement, celebration and fun! It was so good to see the different generations of residents really enjoying each other’s company, and pulling together to make a memorable, happy day for everyone. There was so much laughter!

It would be really great if we in Australia held more community-base celebrations like that, even though the history of our non-indigenous people is so short compared with that of Europeans. It would enrich everyone’s life, as it clearly did in Rothenburg. It was such a privilege to be there to see it!

Other delights were to see the lovely gardens on the edge of the town and the wonderful vistas from the wall around the garden, which was part of the wall around the whole town, and to see the children's teddy bear and doll shops, as well as several Christmas shops. We also were treated to tastes of the local sausages, ‘marshmallows’ and chocolates. The range of food in the shops was very enticing, in fact, and most of us treated ourselves to drinks and delicious food at one or the other of the colourful outdoor cafes. And of course we bought the inevitable postcards. What a great day it was!

Walking into the town through an archway in one of the inner walls.

Imagine having the 'beady eyes' of the church always looking at you as you pass by! We also saw a house with a small round window but in the corner so the lady of the house could always watch what was going on in the street without being too obvious. 

There were roving musicians everywhere.

This group of singers and flautists was serenading someone just inside the building.

Ye olde blacksmiths.

Cooking a pig on a spit in the town square.

How can anyone resist? Shame I could not fit him in my bags to take home.

More roving musicians in different costumes.

A group of performers in the park having a break.

In the park.

One of the views from the park wall.

Next to the archway into the park. 

One of the frescoes on the buildings.

The main band having their photo taken before going off to perform. 

Another irresistible giant teddy.

A dance by village maidens in the town square.

The band playing.

A parade of some the younger girls.