Bacharach

When our train finally pulled in to the Bacharach station we were ready to be done with our traveling for the day. The thought of the train strike loomed in our minds and the immediate prospect of race climbing 350 steps up to the castle that we were staying in was not very exciting either. When Patti originally told me about the climb I thought no big deal but it turned out to be a good hoof under our current conditions.

Patti had made reservations for two nights and dinner in the castle. We were running late and might just make the cutoff time for dinner, or maybe not. If we were a no show to dinner would we still pay? After quickly dismissing the idea of enjoying our dinner down in town we began our mad dash to the stairs then up and up and up to catch dinner at the castle.  There are a few smooth, but still steep, areas without steps and we put the kids to work at every opportunity. 

After coming to understand the predicament we might be in to get a train during the strike we began strategizing about what the next few days might look like. Should we get out one night early and at least make it to Cochem before the strike, or should we wait and see?  It was impossible for us to know. 

On our way up, after a mere 100 steps, was the ruin of a 13th century church that was destroyed in a war of the 17th century. I had to stop for a few minutes and snap some pics which had me working even harder to catch up. 

Our race to the top step quickly revealed that we should have eaten in town as the food seemed to me like cafeteria food. Then I began to understand why, the place was overrun with German schoolchildren in about the 4th or 5th grade. These little ones were running, jumping, climbing, screaming, wiping out, crying, and doing it all over again and again. This was a modern twist on 'storming the castle'. This may dampen the intrigue of staying in a castle.  

Desiring to keep our options open we had a struggle with the castle staff and manager to pay for one night with an option on the next. When we finally worked that out we opened the door to our room to find about the smallest space 4 people could fit in. The comforters were pretty bad off, I am sure they were the worst I have ever seen. I consoled myself with the fact that maybe they really clean the sheets. As I was unfolding one of the mattress covers (we were issued sheets at the desk and had to make our own beds) a used bandaid fell out. 

Space is not a big (no pun here) deal, there was much conversation about which was smaller, this room or the first room we had in Hong Kong. The bigger deal was that there was no toilet or shower in the room. This also does not have to be an issue but when we had reserved a room with both the expectations were set. Those luxuries were down the hall through a couple doors and up stairs. The whole day of challenges combined into this moment and we decided we would just get our money back, descend the steps, find a bed for the night and grab some dinner. 

However, that plan is easier typed then done. The answer, the only answer, to our question when we returned the key and requested our money back was - "not possible". We heard that at least 5 times.  While we were hearing this the desk clerk was asking for our key. Patti had already given it to her and our best guess is that she misplaced it. After about 20 minutes I heard her rustle and she handed it over saying it was the secondary key.  Strange. 

So, 'not possible' equals we stay up in the castle for the night as hostages ;-). We still had to get some food so we went down to town and booked another place for the next night.  We had a beer in the garden and took in the view that allowed this castle to command this part of the river.

Tomorrow we cruise the Rhine.

Images coming tomorrow.