Last Day with Evelyn's Fam

Today was a great day!

We woke up VERY early to head to the train station, and after we left, we drove to the location of the OLDEST brewery in the world (founded in 1051)In a town called Weltenburg, about 45 minutes from Evelyn's village. From here, we took a day ferry down the Danube to a town that had a large castle like structure on the top of a hill. (more like a mountain!) The only problem was, we had to hike to the top of this huge hill to see it. It took about an hour to get up there, and I am already so sore from all the physical activity. From the way Evelyn's mom has been feeding me, I NEEDED IT.

After this, we boarded the ferry back to Weltenburg, and got to see the oldest brewery that is oddly enough, connected to a Monastary. Evelyn gave
this explanation: Back in the 9th century, the catholic monks took fasting very seriously for the 40 days of lent. Because Jesus didn't eat in the desert, they would try to find ways to NOT eat, but still survive. For this reason, they created a very thick and high calorie beer. Their reasoning being, if they "drank" their calories, it didn't count as eating. This is why most monastaries in Europe are equipped with their very own breweries. Those clever monks...
Alex, Evelyn, and I shared a beer brewed the same way for over 1,000 years, and went on our way!

We headed to Regensburg after this with Evelyn at the wheel. We walked around the old city, and into a GORGEOUS old cathedral, saw a bridge unchanged for hundreds of years, and had some gelato before heading back to Evelyn's village. Alex and I have decided that we have eaten gelato all over the world, and German gelato beats all!

After an exciting ride on the AUTOBAHN, we were back to Evelyn's house in time to change into swimsuits for a quick dip in a lake close to her house. When I say "dip" I mean I put my toe in because it was so cold, but Evelyn and Alex were braver.

Because Evelyn's mom was at work, we picked up some amazing chicken and ate some potatoes and sauerkraut salad she had prepared before leaving. (this woman is amazing!)

Full and happy, I am writing this blog while hanging out with the entire family, watching the USA play GHANA in the World Cup.

Tomorrow is Evelyn's mom's last day of work, so we will be having a celebratory lunch before we leave town.

Tomorrow we will be traveling for FIVE HOURS on the train, because we paid for the cheapest ticket. Because of this, I will write my final blog on this trip in a little while after everyone has gone to bed. When we arrive in Frankfurt tomorrow night, we will pack and then get ready to head to the airport.

Today was an exhausting but amazing day, and one I will never forget.

The picture above is of Alex, Myself, and Evelyn after hiking the "mountain"

Kate