Wood Family Travels: Bad Wimpfen, Germany

I wanted to take Mom to see Bad Wimpfen before she left so we headed out one morning. It turned into quite an adventure, as always, but we did make it eventually! We got out a little late and decided to just catch the next train but the buses actually got us to the station faster than we thought and we were able to catch the 9:15 train. We hurried and got on and sat and chatted as we watched the countryside out the window. We didn't have time for much breakfast so we were hoping to get to B.W. soon and eat. At one stop along the way the conductor made an announcement. When we stopped at the next stop a lot of people got off, all except for us and two men. We thought the group was a big school group and so we sat and waited. The conductor came hurrying back and started speaking in German to us, really fast. We said we didn't speak German but he kept talking and motioning to get off the train. He looked at our ticket and pointed at the train at the next station saying Bad Wimpfen that was on the next platform. He rushed us down the skinny aisle and we kept getting the stroller stuck. He would grab it and yank it free and continue down the aisle, all while saying stuff in German. When we got out of the train the other train pulled away. So we motioned to him when the next train would be to B.W. and he said something so we nodded and sat on a bench. I checked the schedule and another would be along in an hour! I told Mom I was going to ask the information office so I ran down the stairs and up the escalators. I asked the man and he said the next S-Bahn was coming in 20 minutes to B.W right outside the train station. I sprinted to Mom and the girls and grabbed our stuff and ran back down the stairs and were waiting for the elevator (for the stroller, this is where it comes in handy to have Mr. Muscles with us) and we see two young men in shirts and ties and name badges coming down the stairs, the Missionaries! We said a quick hello and wished they were with us 20 minutes ago when the train conductor was only speaking German but we had to rush to catch the S-Bahn and couldn't talk properly.

We got on the S-Bahn and calmly rested. For a few minutes anyway, because then the train stopped for 15 minutes and not at a usual stop. There was some commotion at the front for a bit but then the train started again. It went to the next stop and stopped for another 20 minutes. I finally walked up to the front to as the driver and he said there was an accident with a train and a car up ahead (yikes!) and he didn't know when we would be able to go. So we waited. After 30 minutes the train started again, we were on our way! I was watching the screen and checking our map and noticed in two stops we were going to turn and head in the opposite way of B.W. I notified Mother and we got off in two stops and grabbed another train that took us to our destination! Good thing our tickets worked with all types of transportation and that we had obliging children that like trains :) When we arrived at B.W. we took a minute to marvel at the beautiful entrance but our stomachs were growling loudly and we stopped at a Doner Box and ate our fill! It was delicious strips of beef and fries, mini pizza and chicken strips. The cook was a delightful man and we had a good chat. Out the window of the W.C. was the most incredible view of the back alley's of B.W. So old and crumbly and mossy! I wished I would have brought my camera.

It was freezing in July :) But we showed mom all our favorite houses and the quirky little side-streets. The shops were closed though so we sat and had an ice cream in our favorite spot. It was so fun to chat with Mom in this medieval town! In the afternoon it started to warm up and the shops opened. We forgot they close for a "siesta" so we got to see some before we left. At the end of the day we boarded only one train this time and made it safely home!

Mom had to leave the next day and we got up early and took her to the airport. It was so sad to see her leave! We sure had a blast with her here!