Germany is once again, one of the most comfortable places I can visit. Yesterday the rain finally stopped! I met up with Anne Dusemund, an old friend from ILA, last night. What started as a tad awkward ended up being a fabulous night. Had a little stop at her house, which is so gorgeous in this small town of Rachtig--which they continually keep trying to get me to pronounce correctly... Raccchhhhtig. As always, I felt bad for not being able to communicate fully, but we all made do- lots of jesturing haha. Soon after we arrived, we all walked over to the post-government-wedding party (there is to be another with all the glamor of a church wedding) of her cousin. In the German tradition, we met all the "youth" of Rachtig fully armed with horns, bells, air guns, and an engine (each with his own earplugs or ready set of fingers) to create as much noise and raise enough hell as possible. A lot of the parents smashed plates, pots, cups, anything in front of the couple. Was such a riot! The festivities included a ton of food and a ton of beer until all hours of the morning. Go Rachtig!

Today Anne and I woke up early to sightsee. We drove all around, stopping at gorgeous overlooks of the Mosel, Rachitg, Ürzig, and Berncastle. Had a coke at an old castle/overlook and ate lunch in Berncastle before boarding the boat to Rachtig. Chilly ride, but had great sights and a fun course. Anne and her mom showed me a DVD of the Carnival festivities in Rachtig... really cool dancing! And enjoyed the sun and her mom's garden for about an hour before heading back to Trier. Was such a short time, but such a fun one! Im falling in love with these small German towns... the pictures explain all its beauty and the friendships represent all its fabulousness.