Germany

This past weekend, we were invited to Michelle's co-workers place in Trier, Germany. Well, we actually stayed in a wicked hotel, Hotel Villa Hugel, which was only a minute away from their flat.

• Trier is just across the border from Luxembourg (where we flew into using LuxAir (prob my fave airline now.)) about 30-40 minutes away from the airport. It is Germany's oldest city and has huge Roman influence here as it was a former capital of a Roman province.

• Saw and walked a good majority of the town, seeing such famous sights as Porta Nigra (the 'black gate' - amazing Roman city gate), 3 Roman baths (well the ruins of them) and the Roman amphitheatre.

• Visited a huge Roman Catholic Church, Trier Cathedral, which is home to the Holy Tunic ("..a garment with a recorded history back to the 12th century, in Catholic tradition said to be the robe Jesus was wearing when he died. It is only exhibited every few decades, at irregular intervals"). Wtf?? they weren't displaying while we were there but the church itself is huge, and reminiscent of very ornate Roman basillicas.
  

• Had a great time with our friends Norbert and Julia, very very gracious hosts and tour guides. They took us all over and took us to authentic German restaurants (yep ate sauerkraut, pork knuckle, rumpsteak, etc..). Hopefully they can come visit us in Toronto and we can return the favour!

• They also shared some schnapps with us (58% alcohol! yep thats my new record) and at one of the restaurants, got to try some of the local brew and also some of the best-sellling German beer in the world, Bitburger (yuck too bitter).

• Also checked out the museum of the famous resident, Karl Marx, founder of communism. Well, we didn't actually go in but we stood at the doorway..