While it may not surprise anyone that we went out and about once again today, the agenda was fuller than it may typically be on a “normal” Sunday in Germany. On Sundays, many of the stores are closed, so one does not go very far, or, at least, they don’t go shopping (since you can’t). That being said, we did take part in a lovely post-breakfast walk along the Ruhr (conveniently located across the street from Brandon’s relatives). There was a lot of beautiful vegetation and a couple herds of cows. One of the herds was free range along the riverbank, so we were able to get very close! We walked around for a little while before returning to the house to relax for a bit.
Around mid-afternoon, Brandon, Alina, Peter, and I went to Bochum via the Straßenbahn to attend their street food festival. They closed off part of the main street so people could walk freely. The only thing allowed through the area was the Straßenbahn, but it went slowly and only came through every so often. The shops along the main road were open, too, which they wouldn’t have been if the festival weren’t occurring. At the food festival, we found a truck selling currywurst, or “curry sausage,” and it was DELICIOUS. The currywurst was grilled, sliced, and topped with a delightful red curry sauce. It also came with pommes (French fries), and you had the option to have your fries topped with mayonnaise (which I did). It was a wonderful eating experience. After “lunch,” we walked around some more. I found a stand selling some books. Alina had suggested earlier in the day to read some children’s books in German to help me get more comfortable with the language, and so I found a few children’s chapter books, including a Magic Treehouse book! We then got some ice cream from the best place in Bochum…it was so creamy and amazing! We weren’t feeling tired just yet by the time we finished our ice cream, so we went back to the house to change shoes and get some drinks before heading back to Bochum, this time to the woods. Peter and Alina showed us a really nice nature trail called the Wildgehege that had large enclosures in the middle containing wild goats, boar, and deer. Alina said many people will bring uncooked pasta along to feed the animals, which explained why they came right to the fence. However, once they realized we were just there to look at them, the animals lost interest and wandered away. The Wildgehege was beautiful and so cool (in temperature and atmosphere)! It was a nice wrap up to the afternoon! Once back home, we all relaxed for a little. Alicia returned from her friend’s birthday party during this time. We all then shared some snacks: tomato salad, leftover grilled vegetables, bread, antipasta, veggies and dip, and some stories about the day before starting to settle down for the evening. Tomorrow, Peter and Alina are back to work, and Alicia has school. Brandon and I plan to travel to Münster for the day to explore on our own. We will explore the Hattingen area some more on our own in the coming days, but I am excited to go to another city in Germany! Until tomorrow, friends!
2 Comments
Barbara Taylor
6/12/2022 05:15:11 pm
I'm glad that you are enjoying the food - we were not fans of Americanized German food, so real German food was even less appealing. Plus we didn't know enough German to ask for what we wanted. It is wonderful that you get to see the country apart from a tourist's eyes!!
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Alicia
6/12/2022 11:50:28 pm
It is so nice! I was really looking forward to having some traditional German food, so my tummy has been quite happy :)
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