When in Germany...

After conferencing it up since Tuesday evening with representatives from 25 nations, we were able to take a little break yesterday afternoon/evening. The GO Conference is taking place in Mosbach, Germany, and it is cold! The snow started before we ever left the airport, and is still thick on the ground in places. While I prefer a snowless winter in any other situation, I can appreciate it in Germany this time of year. And it is "nice" snow. Really crunchy, and it doesn't turn to slush 45 minutes after it falls. We've walked (by choice!) from our hostel to the conference center every morning since arriving, and I don't even mind. Me. The one who hates the cold.

Anyway, back to the break we got yesterday, Todd and I and three other Americans attending the conference decided to take a little day trip into the nearby city of Heidelberg. The city has an old section with a really old castle, and a newer, modern-looking section (we didn't visit that part). We set out right after our final session, making a brief stop at a bakery a block away where I got schnitzel :) 

After buying our lunches we attempted to buy our train tickets at the station near the conference center. It was harder than we expected. Fortunately, a German-speaking conference worker happened by and was able to help us get our tickets. Everything was looking up! We were ready to board our first European train! We had a couple of false starts (i.e., taking the wrong train...twice) before finally making it to Heidelberg, but the drive was so pretty! The little German towns all covered in snow, the hills, the river, all the ornate little churches...this place is just adorable! 

It was SO cold as we walked around Heidelberg and the castle courtyards, but I'm still glad we were able to do some sightseeing. After we'd had our fill of the cold and the walking (it was over 300 stair steps to reach the castle), we made our way back down to the town and ate at a little cafe, the highlight of which was the dessert we took with us back to the hostel. Mine was a delicious apple strudel, Todd's a surprisingly light (despite it's appearance) black forest cake. 

The conference has been good; lot's of learning, socializing and eating. We haven't experienced completely horrible jetlag, which is a blessing, and all of our luggage made it safely here (an even bigger blessing!). 

Here are some pictures from the train drive to Heidelberg, Heidelberg and the castle, and our desserts :) Just to be honest...Todd took most of them. Enjoy!

View from the train ride.

Part of Heidelberg! Isn't it so pretty?

We took this road on our way to find the castle. 

Todd just really liked this door... :) 

Me, just outside the castle courtyard.

Panoramic view of the courtyard.

View of Heidelberg from the castle.

The apple strudel...so good, so good.