Before I update about anything, I first have to say that all hostels should have soap in the washroom... Urgh... Not all of them do and it grosses me out. Also, a hand towel or paper towels or a blow dryer, something so that I'm not wiping my wet (but not necessarily clean) hands on my definitely dirty pants.
We made it to Nuremberg ("Nurnberg" in German) early this morning but not without some challenges, primarily trying to buy a ticket for the subway. We couldn't find a ticket machine anywhere and were quickly becoming frustrated (another train station, another city and a subway ride away from where we were staying). Thankfully there were a couple of guys beside us speaking English so I asked, "Do you have any idea how to buy a ticket for the underground because I have no idea...?" lol. One of the guys has been living here for two years for work (from the USA) and his friend was visiting him. The first guy was so extremely helpful I could have hugged him! He led us downstairs to find a ticket machine and when we didn't find one (He said, "They do things differently in Nuremburg" and shook his head... lol). He told us to stay put and left us with his buddy as he bounded up the stairs to find a ticket machine for us. Once he found one he returned to us and showed us how to use it. He was so incredibly helpful and we are truly grateful for his time!
We made it to our hostel, after asking directions from a man in the park with his son/grandson, before noon and ended up having to wait until after 1pm for the reception lady to show up - which was frustrating as we wanted to find a doctor and whatnot this afternoon. She eventually showed up and we checked in. Our room is pretty basic but at least it's off a busy road instead of like Munich (even though Jeff and I would both go back if we could find somewhere to stay! We should have looked... Oh well.). And did I mention that a bunch of guys were walking down the street in leider hosen this morning drinking beer before 9am? Happy Oktoberfest! I wish I could wear my drindl all the time, lol.
We headed off to find a doctor right away and found one close by (we found five of them actually, all in the same place). Jeff got some antibiotics and we promptly filled the prescription - he took his first one before we even left the pharmacist's counter (what's really funny is that she offered him a glass of water to take his pill and she brought him water with gas... lol "How are you supposed to swallow a pill with that?" after he already had some. We still don't understand, or like, the carbonated water, it's definitey not refreshing for us.)
On the way back we stopped at the grocery store and picked up a few things, knowing we'd be back later anyway to figure out dinner.
Then we went for a walk to the Messe, even though we didn't know what Messe was (and "messe" was written all around us!). We later learned that it means "fair" and that there is a huge fair trade park near us. We walked hoping we would see something but after seeing nothing and making it back home and then googling it, we realized it all had ended... Oh well; I'm not sure how neat it would have been anyway as it seemed very commercial.
We headed back to the supermarket and picked up some t.v. dinners, pasta and broccoli for Jeff and spinach and potato for me. Both were half decent for a microwave dinner; we were hungry and probably would have eaten anything.
We're now watching Nurnberg's local news (in German) on a t.v. in the 'sitting room'... It's a couple of tables with a few chairs. The kitchen across from us was disappointing as we thought we'd be able to use the oven or one of the hot plates for dinner but with no plates or bowls or pots or pans it's really not possible; that's why it was t.v. dinners for us tonight.
Tomorrow morning we plan to go to the Exhibit of Fascination and Horror; it's about the Nazi rallies here in Nurnberg. It should be an interesting and yet sad exhibit. Then we'll head to our other hostel (which we're hoping is infinately better than this one). We couldn't get Fri-Sun at that one so we had to break it up, which isn't all that bad since we're closer to the exhibit here and closer to everything else, including the train station, there.
Hopefully it'll be early to bed so we're up to see the exhibit before we have to check out at noon (it's a 2km walk or so, so it'll take some time).
Until next time, have a happy weekend!
Amanda
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