Bingen am Rhein, Germany |
Me on a castle...where else? |
Dad and I in Banff |
But first, that begs the question: Where is home? I've asked this here before, is home where your family is? Where your stuff is? Where your love is? Where your puppy is?
Sammy getting to know the neighbours |
Honestly, I have felt without a home for quite a while now...or maybe the better description would be, without a place to belong. I have felt for some time that I should be somewhere else, even though where I have been living since December 2010 has been one of the most beautiful, exciting, and inspriring places...full of wonderful people and experiences, and one very special puppy. I have made the choices to come and now to go, and am fully aware and grateful for the blessings I have been given: dual citizenship, parents who led the way to travel, explore, and move, and the gifts of opportunity, which are not given to everyone...especially not every woman.
One of the coolest bachelorette parties ever...drinking, horses, castles, and more drinking! |
As a boy... |
...and a man (well, more of a teenager, really) |
I'm moving towards family, due to circumstances beyond my control. But, the decision to move now is mine, and I know it's the right time. I'm moving towards new work, while still enjoying my old work (my company didn't want to let me go and I didn't want to let it go). I'm moving towards old friends, blessed that new friends are already excited for the time when I'll be back in Germany again to work. I will continue to travel, and experience the richness of the diversity and sameness among all of us. And, I will be with family. All good things. And, I will continue to hope.
My favourite Alberta thing...pub night with my peeps! |
My favourite co-worker :) Budapest, our office away from the office. |
The Mädels...my wine and travel buddies on Rhine |
I have benefited from the incredible vines that the river nourishes on its sun-kissed banks in Germany's largest wine region, Rheinhessen, and its steep cliffs along the Middle Rhine Valley. Here, where tourists flock to, I have lived and loved. Here, where blood used to flow as men fought for control of this vital waterway, and erected castle upon castle displaying power and might, I have taken a zillion photos, planned weddings (not mine), and toured visiting friends. I've been blessed.
A wedding at Burg Reihenstein (Reihenstein Castle) - Trechtingshausen |
A wedding in a park on the riverbank |
...and reception high above the Rhine |
This bridge has a mystical history. Built in the 1100's, close to where the Romans also had a stone bridge crossing the Nahe River, just before it flows into the Rhine, the Drusus Bridge was a gateway into the unknown. In the Middle Ages, it led into the dark and wild forests on the other side of the river. A small chapel built into the stone archway below the bridge, on the Bingen side, allowed travelers to say a prayer of protection and blessing before heading across into perilous territory. Nowadays, the chapel is only open on 'Tag der offene Denkmals' (Heritage Sites Open House), but it sure is a treat to enter, and the bridge a privilege to cross.
And, that brings me to my 3 favourite things about this area, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, beginning at Bingen am Rhein.
1) The Castles
I always say to Canadians who are planning to come and visit, "only come if you like castles and wine...if you don't like either then you're wasting your time."
At the beginning of the valley, the Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site, just around the corner from Bingen, the first castle is Burg Rheinstein. My mother loved this castle, called herself the 'Burg Prinzessin' (castle princess), dressing up in a long gown with flowers in her hair to get her photo taken here (no joke). So, I love it too.
Burg Rheinstein - Trechtingshausen |
And, at the end of the valley, approximately a 50-kilometre stretch of winding river and high, vineyard-covered hills, you will find the imposing Marksburg Castle. This is the only castle remaining which was never destroyed and never fell into disrepair. It is the perfect place to learn about the actual day-to-day runnings of a castle from the 1100's, with a fascinating tour explaining idioms which we have from the Middle Ages, such as 'caught you red-handed' or 'get off your high horse'.
Marksburg Castle - Braubach |
You can't go far here without seeing sprawling vineyards, stumbling across a family-run wine tavern, or bumping into a sun-soaked wine festival. The folks who live here know their vintners..they are neighbours and friends, and often provide the liquid courage and cozy ambience in the locals' favourite haunts.
Historische Weinwirtschaft (Historical Wine Tavern) - Oberwesel |
Wine also goes a long way to helping create the crazy days of carneval, sustaining Germany's longest-running wine festival (Bingen's!), warming the hearts and hands of Christmas market revellers, and is most often the catalyst for friends to gather and enjoy a glass on a Rhine terrace, backyard or while watching fireworks (Germans love their fireworks!).
Wine can also be enjoyed directly among the vintner's own vineyards, for example, along the Rheinsteig, one of Germany's famous hiking trails. The route goes up and down along the Middle Rhine Valley, a route consisting of 21 stages along 320 kms. Among some of the vineyards through which the trail leads, there are wine stands where weary hikers can take a rest, insert some coins (and ID) and have a glass or share a bottle. Coming from Canada, I thought this was just the best thing since sliced bread!
And, if you are interested in hitting one spot where you can taste-test the wines from both sides of the Rhine here, then there's no better place than the Rhein Weinwelt at Rüdesheim. Here, you buy tokens and then go through various rooms, where the local vintners are displayed along with their wines. Insert a token, pour yourself a sip from the dispenser, and enjoy! It really is quite fun.
3) Boating & Biking
As I've mentioned, I have spent a lot of time either on the Rhine or riding along side it. I commuted to and from work for 6 years, riding along the gorgeous Rhine bike trails. It's been 8 days and I already miss it.
The views change each day, each season...always dynamic. Sometimes the waters rise too high, or get dangerously low, but the Rhine is never boring. The freighters are a constant, carrying everything from John Deere tractors (a sight which always reminds me of the Canadian prairies) to metal trash to oil, with entertaining names like 'Enjoy' and 'Patience'.
Coming here for a day or a week, the best thing to do is to get on the water. I booked a boat tour every day the first time I visited Bingen. There are hourly or day tours, and obviously also multi-day river cruises, heading down this stretch of the Rhine.
For many years, we would take our little motorboat to our favourite watering hole along the river bank. And, on hot summer days, we would jump in the boat and throw the anchor on the far side of the Mouse Tower island, and go swimming. It felt like a holiday every single time.
During my 9 years on the Rhine, I have been blessed to get to know some great forever friends...some furry, some German, and even one Canadian, who I oktoberfested with, laughed with and even touched Merkel with. #goodtimes
Canadians...on beer |
Now, I'm here, in Alberta, surrounded by snow and sunshine. And, if not for the coronavirus, last week I would have had an airport greeting like this one a few years and one nephew ago. So much love.
But Germany, I'll be back...there's lots of carneval, wine and Rhine to still celebrate...work to do and a puppy to visit. Home.
For now, I will look forward, focus on family, new work and the mountains. And continue to hope.
If you go:
Bingen is just 45 minutes west of Frankfurt, by car or train, in the middle of Germany. It is close to the Belgium and Luxembourg border, and sits at the beginning of the Upper Rhine Gorge.
Train Info: https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml
Bingen am Rhein - https://www.bingen.de/en/
Rhine Gorge (Middle Rhine Valley) - https://worldheritagegermany.com/upper-middle-rhine-valley/
Castles:
Reihenstein Castle https://www.burg-reichenstein.com/en/
Rheinstein Castle https://www.burg-rheinstein.de/
Marksburg Castle https://www.marksburg.de/en/
Hiking:
Rheinsteig Trail https://www.rheinsteig.de/en/the-rheinsteig/stages/
Rhine Castle Trail (Rhein-Bürgen-Weg) https://www.romantic-germany.info/things-to-do/hiking/long-distance-hiking-trails/rheinburgenweg-trail/
Boat Tours: https://www.bingen-ruedesheimer.de/en
Wine Tasting: https://www.rheinweinwelt.de/en/