I am amazed by the contrast of (in my mind what would be) efficiencies and luxuries here....small cars, houses and hotel rooms fully utilizing every square inch, being sure to clean your plate and `eat with the season´, then enjoying the highest quality of wine (cheaper because it was consumed at the winery), visiting a high-end grocery store, and the rich, delicate chocolates. I realize I may not be truly sampling typical life, as I am a guest here, but there are just certain special things one only gets to experience in Europe.
We visited a farmer´s market.
It was named `Hof´ or farm, and then the farmer´s name (really long S word).
Wonderful selection of berries... getting hungry...
Then we visited a greenhouse- sign says`Plants and Flowers Kolvenbach` (the family who owns it).
Beautiful fall display! The flowers and plants were REALLY inexpensive!
Artichoke blooms...who knew they were so pretty? Mmm...artichokes...sounds good...getting hungrier...
Ohhh!!! Tractor sighting! This guy was crusing along at 60 km per hour, probably hauling silage...That´s one speedy farmer!
Challenges with urbanization...this beautiful farm was turned into a golf course. Golf and horse back riding are reserved for only the rich here due to the cost.
Then we visited an open air museum, similar to Colonial Williamsburg, where they have preserved historic farm buildings and a small village. WONDERFUL opportunity to relax and renew my spirits after a looooooooong day in the city of Frankfurt!!! Aaaaaaahhhhh......
Just a few pics...see more here...
Beautiful barn built in the 1700´s with a straw roof.
Inside one of the historic buildings was the shop of Alfons Grombien, a maker of bushel baskets. The bushel was used in Germany as a unit of measure until 1949, when grain began being measured in metric units.
Apparently when this house was built in 1711, people were very short. FYI- I´m about 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Windmill...stunning...but boy am I hungry...
At last, lunch, in a lovely open air courtyard beside the woods. Frau Connecticut and I split a meal of sausage with mustard sauce and potatoes...
...and we also each had apple juice mixed with sparkling mineral water...so refreshing...
We were joined by a special guest waiting to pick up our bread crumbs.
And that´s what I did through lunch...more on the rest of the day later...
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
wow! great trip so far! Of course you had sausage and potatoes in Germany! I'm sure they make the best:)
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