Having rested for a few days and with the temperature slightly warmer, I asked Manfred if he would like to accompany me walking as it was such a beautiful day to walk. He eagerly agreed as he has not walked since we walked in the snow (he too caught the “bug”).
I thought Manfred would take me to the same hiking trails but he surprised me with a different one! This time the trails took us partly on tree-lined trails, along paths with a view of the surrounding communities and alongside the highway. There was a long moderate uphill that surprised me but enjoyed it anyway.
I noticed that the towns and villages were so close together and Manfred named each one of them (which I will not repeat here as most of them are tongue-twisters). He pointed at an abandoned German WWII bunker which was filled with moss by now.
Our walk was really energizing. The breeze was biting cold but after a half hour of walking my body started to get used to it. The walk took us a total of one hour and twenty minutes (my phone app showed 3.6 miles). Feeling good and ready to move on to the next country.
DIE FAMILIE (THE FAMILY)
Tonight will be our last night staying with our very hospitable and kind hosts – Manfred and Miriam Jost. Miriam’s younger sister, Marie and hubby, Aryan arrived from Amsterdam last night as they were going on ski vacation with the Josts in the Italian Alps starting this Sunday.
The Jost’s two daughters (Yvette and Nicole) and their families were there too. Miriam, cooked up a storm and baked the best apple pie and cheesecake that I’ve ever tasted! Manfred took out his loyal grill from storage and showed off his culinary expertise with it. The lamb was cooked to perfection – a little pinkish and even a dull knife would cut through it easily. The pork chop was just as good and juicy. But I was more impressed with the sausages – they were lamb sausages and very tasty!
Miriam’s different salads and veggies are “to die for” – delicious would be an understatement to describe the banquet! Manfred completed the feast with his Italian reds!
The night was filled with stories reminiscing our long gone youth, laughing at funny anecdotes that only Filipinos will understand, comparing exotic places we’ve visited, and grateful to have been successful in life and most importantly, that we were still healthy to do what we are passionate about – traveling.
Trini and I can never thank Manfred and Miriam enough for we know that without them inviting us to their lovely and comfortable home, we would still be recovering from the dreaded cold somewhere in a hotel in Spain.
The Germans are very warm, friendly and helpful people! Trini and I vowed to return again but when that time comes it will be on a warmer weather!
Vielen Dank für lhre herzliche Gastfreundschaft, Manfred und Miriam!
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