Haschbach and Michelburg Ruins

 

 

 

 

I was able to come to Germany and have this grand travel adventure for two reasons; 1.  My friend Jeanie and her husband Paul are stationed here and 2. She hooked me up with a babysitting job that paid for my flight over.  Sweet gig huh?  I am very blessed and lucky to have this opportunity.  It is a testament to me that we never know what connections we will make and what friendships will come if we get out of ourselves and work to make friends and enjoy life.  The more we complain and talk about what other people are doing that offends us the more we isolate ourselves from amazing opportunities.  Instead, reach out to others, even when you feel vulnerable…it will help you get over yourself, play, let go of the view that everyone is judging you and have some fun!!!!  That is the true secret of my success.    Enough blabber…to the current experience

 

 I have four children under my care for a week.  Three are still in school, and one is here with me during the day.  We are located in the village of Haschbach.  

There are archeological findings of stone age dwellings here.   The family I am staying with live on a steep hill that borders the forest.  There is a trail that goes up into the forest and eventually winds its way up to a church and castle ruins.   The church Remigiusbergstraße , was built during the 12th and 13th centuries.  We often hear the bells ringing.  The older children know that it means it is time to go to school when it rings at 7 am, well that and the timer I set...haha!

  

 

 

 

Next to the church is a small castle ruin called Michelsburg.  It was built about 1260 by Count Heinrich II of Veldenz and destroyed in the 1600's.  It overlooks the valley and I loved looking at the towers of rocks and windows looking out at the valley.  It was a foggy wet day, but the little one and I enjoyed hiking up and watched a small red deer leap away from us through the tall, dew laden grasses.  She informed me there were boars.  Still don’t know if she was talking about wild pigs or how she felt when I took a hundred pictures of dew drops. 

 

                                                                   

It has been a wonderful experience.  I have enjoyed cooking for the children and blowing their minds that you can make your own brown sugar, playdo, popcorn on the stove and roasted butternut squash is delicious. We have played a lot of games and just enjoyed having fun and laughing together.   I have also enjoyed the German neighbor’s gardens and buildings.  I love when the little one comes in and snuggles with me and of course, being able to sit in the living room and look out over the valley.  It has been a great experience.