Nuremberg

8.20 am

After a great tasting breakfast, we are on the big white Cosmos coach. It’s a very comfortable bus and we hope to start in a couple of minutes towards Nuremburg.

11.30 am

We’ve left Nuremburg behind and are on our way to Prague in the Czech Republic. Reaching Nuremburg through the fast Autobahn was exciting. Of course the bus didn’t go too fast. When we were starting out this morning, a lone traveler turned up late, holding up the entire bus. Everyone was grumbling good naturedly as we all were ready to leave. She came into the bus at least 20 minutes late. Still, as we started, Steven or Istevan (our Hungarian guide) gave us the program for the day. We passed hop fields, ripely swaying in the sun. We were told hops are used to make beer for which Bavaria is famous. Entering Nuremburg, we saw the city walls which are actually quite recent – they were rebuilt in the 1920s I believe. The whole city was bombed heavily in both the world wars. We stopped at the city square and were given two hours to explore the square. It was a picturesque square, very European with cobbled streets, old churches, eye-catching stonework and an open air market. As we were walking around the Hauptmarkt square, drinking in the sights, we came across a guy playing mystic-sounding melodies on the French horn. The square is where the famous Christmas market is held every year. It originated in the mid 16^th century and is continuing to this day much to the delight to tourists. Many of the buildings around the square have murals painted on them, depicting medieval themes. One had a fancy golden compass, a ship with unfurled sails, and an apothecary with his followers. We walked in the shadow of the Church Frauenkirche, past the Augustiner Strasse, marveling at the verdigris coated spires. The church was old, wonderfully carved with gilded figures rapt in prayer, and lit with stained glass windows. Outside, in the sunshine, were shops selling multi coloured beads, exquisitely handiworked lace doilies, hand made chocolate with fantastic names, dolls and fanciful animals. In the middle of the square was a gothic structure called Schöner Brunnen. Steven mentioned that it had magical qualities. You have to touch the magic ring and ask for a wish – it comes true apparently! You can imagine, we were willing to ‘suspend our disbelief’, and did the needful. It was then time to board the bus and move onward to the Czech Republic, towards Prague, the capital city.