Castles and Communism

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Hello. Im in Trier, Germany, which is about a 25 minute drive from Luxembourg. It is the oldest city in Germany, with its roots tracing back to over 2000 years ago during the Roman Empire. Jessica, my girlfriends sister, is taking law here at the local university, and so Janina and I decided to swing by before heading back to Mülheim.
Since I last wrote, i spent a few more days in Neckarhausen with Janinas family. It was a complete German experience. Every morning I would wake up and walk into Janinas grandmothers dining room. She would be waiting for us with plenty of food and before we could properly wake up we would be stuffed full of food. She even offered us beer, but at 9 or 10 in the morning, I politely declined. We spent a bit more time exploring local castles and in Stuttgart before heading to Trier. However, on the train to what I thought was Trier, Janina told me that we were not going to visit her sister. Instead, as part of my Christmas present from her, we ended up in a small village on the bank of the Rhine river called St. Goar. After a brief walk up a hill we ended up at a castle built in 1200 AD or so, where Nina had booked us a room to stay and a 6-course meal as well. It was amazing. There was a pool and spa, and we were treated as royalty for a great evening. Coincidentally, it was just around the corner from Bacharach, another small village and castle where my mother stayed when she was traveling Germany at the age of 19. We left the castle this morning and headed to Koblenz, where we caught the bus to Trier and met up with Jessica. Tomorrow we are off to Mülheim, but early tomorrow Im heading off to quickly explore Trier, specifically the house in which Karl Marx was born and raised, which today houses the manuscript of the Communist Manifesto and other writings. A history students dream.
Merry Xmas and youll hear from me next in Mülheim.
Fraz

Ps. I still cant find the bloody apostrophe on these German computers...sorry.

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Photos

Castle near Neckarhausen
Built in 1100 and something

Schloss Rhinefels
Our hotel for the evening

Porta Negra
Ancient Roman gateway in Trier