Travel to Eisenach, Germany

Today we get up early and pack and clean our little cabin. All the info they gave me at the resort is 90% German, so I can't tell if and how much we are supposed to clean up our cabin. I decide whatever we do will reflect on the characteristics of all Americans, so wanting to create/preserve a good reputation we do a fairly detailed "clean" of our cabin. I am thankful for the girls and their help.

We drive back to the Frankfurt train station, return the car there and wait for our train to Eisenach, Germany. And I did not even get lost once. :)

We get to Eisenach around 4 p.m. and walk to our hotel, rolling/dragging our luggage. Eisenach is a wonderful old town East of Frankfurt and in the Thuringia part of Germany. One of its most important claims to fame is that it was home to Martin Luther for a while and, indeed, is the place where he translated the New Testament of the Bible into German. Not only was this the first time it was translated into German, this was the first time it was translated into a common language that the everyday people could read. Our hotel is on a little square with a monument to Martin Luther (our hotel is the yellow building in back)....


We have a view of the old city wall and clock tower from our room. I read they burned alleged witches there in 1670...



The other claim to fame of Eisenach, is it is the birthplace of Johannes Sebastian Bach. (Interestingly, Bach and Martin Luther were classmates at one point.) So after a slight rest, we walk to the Bach Haus and museum. On the way, we pass quaint alleys with shops and even an organ grinder (be sure to turn up your volume)...

This is the house where Bach lived and composed.... (girls in front eating ice cream)..


And Statue of Bach....


The Bach museum is one of the best museums I've ever been to...much media, interactive and not overwhelming. We start out with a demo of Bach music on original instruments....( turn up volume to hear harpsichord)....

This is where Bach composed his music (he wrote it completely first and then played it on the clavichord)...



Grace listening to one of the many Bach pieces available in these listening cocoons, along with written notes on the music....



On the way back to the hotel, Grace buys a souvenir of resin for her cello from the town of J.S. Bach. We find a nice al fresco restaurant for dinner.....it has been great and busy day.


We discuss at dinner tonight how important food is when you are traveling. It is important because traveling is hard work. Food also gives you a true "flavor" of the area you are in and a way to interact with people in a relaxed way. It is different to order a glass of "rot Wien" as compared to trying to ask where a train is headed before it pulls out of the station..... So, if you haven't done so already, please forgive us for all the photos of eating.......

-Mom, Coach and Tour Guide

Location:Eisenach, Germany