Heidelberg ist Wunderbar

One tradition we have is this: We take care of the birthday kids. This trip--5. First up--Danielle. Danielle spent her 18th birthday going to the top of the Eiffel Tower--top that! We celebrated with her and two friends, Reina and Alina, the next day in Heidelberg by taking them to the venerable Vetters, a brats and kartoffelsalud (meat and potatoes) establishment next to the Alte Brucke (old bridge). See photos. We learned that Reina has traveled all over South America, that Alina's dad can't stand the thought of her going off to college, and that Danielle is a vegetarian who eats chicken.

Those witnessing our coach pulling into Heidelberg might have commented on the beeline race all 40 made toward the Heidelberg Schloss which looms over the town (see bridge photo). It's true: they were trying to get in before it closed. But why? It's cool to see, that's for sure. But cool becomes them anyway. They are walking encyclopedias of cool. They are more excited to have seen the star of Jackass at the Fitzroy Pub in London than to realize that Dylan Thomas and Charles Dickens were once regulars at said pub. No, they ran because they were seeking out the answer to the question 'what was the name of the Italian dwarf who guarded the largest wine barrel in the world situated behind the walls of the Castle?' It's Perkeo--most still don't know, because they arrived with simultaneous shutting of doors we all know so well.

You see, we have quizzes on the coach rides. That's right. We gotta get them ready for college. No slacking off. Only here's the catch: prizes attend the winners.

In our first test of wherewithal, Lauren D., with a score of 17/20, bested second place finisher Lauren H. while Nora D-H placed third. Questions range from 'a statue of this creature occurs on all major streets entering the City of London (the answer, as all Harry Potter fans know, is the Griffin), to who is keeping a list of beers tried on the yellow notes app of his iphone (answer: Joe L., but don't worry Katy and Greg, he's only tried three . . .I think).

Truly but wryly,

LV