First, had to change from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 using the SkyLink train, where the train station is. Once there, I had to figure out the route (2 connecting trains), then buy tickets using a machine in German, then work my way to the correct platform, then change trains at the right place, and finally get off at the correct station ... easy!
It helped that I had a great night sleep on the plane. Chris and Stefan's place was right next to the station so it all worked out. Landed at 9:00am and I was at their place by 11:30am.
The immediate immersion into another culture and language is always a good excuse to heighten the senses and to be fully present … the train rides were great ... people from all over the world ... bicycles and dogs on the trains ... wilderness and very industrial landscapes ... nice quite and fast trains … and all running perfectly on time. For some reason, I am saying thank you in French. My brain will take a bit to adjust.
Stefan had actually taken the motorcycle out of the crate and mounted the front wheel and panniers so the motorcycle was ready to go. But first, I had to fix a dangling fog light from an old crash during the Northern California BDR (brought the parts).
Stefan had actually taken the motorcycle out of the crate and mounted the front wheel and panniers so the motorcycle was ready to go. But first, I had to fix a dangling fog light from an old crash during the Northern California BDR (brought the parts).
After packing everything into the panniers, installing my GPS, getting geared up, and getting my insurance card from Chris, I was ready to go.
The plan for the first day given the jet lag was to only do a short ride (2-3 hours), to fill the tank with gas, to check tires, to make sure the battery is good, to make sure GPS and lights all work.
So, decided to head to the famous Baden-Baden at the edge of the Black Forest, spend the night there, and start the famous B500 road through the Black Forest fresh in the morning.
Baden-Baden is a great typical German village with a great pedestrian area in the center of town. Took a short nap, and went for a long walk in the historic center and up some of the hills for some great views. Baden-Baden was actually the northern border of the Roman Empire and was well known for its thermal baths even back then. Had Wiener schnitzel at a typical German biergarten in the center of town and a great cappuccino at a very quaint coffee house. All in all, a successful day!
Tomorrow, the plan is to spend the night in Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein.
My nice quiet train leaving Frankfurt for Mannheim
My trusted steed in front of my hotel in Baden-Baden
The pedestrian area in the center of Baden-Baden
A nice view of Baden-Baden from one of the hills
The front of the fresco-lined arcade at the 19th century Trinkhalle
A quaint coffee house with great cappuccinos
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