We woke up on Monday, had breakfast, I ran, and we made our way to the train station. Upon arrival we realized that our train was delayed by 40 minutes. We had never experienced such a thing before so we took it in stride. We figured we were originally going to get to Bamberg at 11:40 and now it would be 12:30, no worries. Ha, ha, boy we were wrong.
Ken had grabbed a sandwich for lunch and when we realized the delay, he suggested I grab something. Thank goodness he did. I grabbed a chocolate croissant that was so delicious, by the way, and I preceded to get it all over my face while eating it. It was that good.
Our train was delayed more than 40 minutes and quite honestly, I lost track. We boarded and were on our way. Since neither of us really speak German, we try to observe and stay on high alert to hear any announcements in English. There was an announcement that was happening in German and we kept hearing Bamberg and we kept giving each other the thumbs up, knowing we headed to Bamberg.
After the train stopped in Nuernberg, we heard a German announcement and Bamberg was stated. Since our tickets said we had a direct train to Bamberg, we assumed that Bamberg was the next stop. Ha, we assumed.
Once the conductor came by, he kindly informed us that this train was not going to Bamberg. I smiled and politely told him that our tickets indeed stated that we were on the correct train and that it was direct to Bamberg. He frowned and told me that with the delays that the trains were messed up and the train was no longer going to Bamberg. It was in that moment that Ken and I realized that the announcement was telling us to get off in Nuernberg and go to Bamberg via Nuernberg.
This was the first time we have ever had an issue with trains and announcements not being in English. The conductor told us to just get off at the next stop and take the train to Nuernberg and then to Bamberg. Simple enough, right? Well, he failed to mention that the next stop was over an hour away.
Clearly, this was news to us since we were thinking it would be like 15 minutes. Once we finally arrived, we got off, regrouped and boarded the train like a boss.
Fulda, Germany, an unexpected stop on the way to Bamberg.
Once on the train, we went straight to the bar cart. I mean if anyone knows how to make lemonade out of lemons it is the Jackson's. Plus, what else solves the blues besides a cocktail?
In the middle of nowhere in Germany
We finally arrived to Nuernberg and the trains were a disaster. Apparently, there were several delays there. We boarded a train that was on a track that should have been to Bamberg, but alas, it was not. We only figured this out after looking on GPS and seeing we were heading in the opposite direction. Yeah, bad travel day.
Obviously, we got off at the first stop possible to head back to Nuernberg.
Us in Schwabach, Germany, which is some place I never thought I would be.
At one point Ken mentioned just going back to Munich. We being so stubborn, I insisted we continue on to Bamberg. It was in this moment we dubbed it to be the unicorn city. Did it really exist?
We continued on and were finally on the train to Bamberg. Sadly, the sun was setting so my hopes of seeing Bamberg in the daylight were gone. Finally, we got off the train and were in Bamberg. It was 5:40 pm, only 6 hours late. Seriously, I cannot make this stuff up.
We had a whole plan of a walking brewery tour and then stopping by the Christmas Market. Clearly we had to prioritize since we had 9:30 pm train tickets back to Munich. We started walking to the first brewery and went in and had a seat. We were starving and were delighted to see we could order some dinner.
We ordered biers first thing and a man sat down next to us. He started speaking German to us and we kindly responded that we did not speak German. He spoke a little English and we ended up speaking to him the rest of our time at the brewery.
Biers at Spezial Brau in Bamberg. A smoked dunkel for Ken and a smoked weiss bier for me. Bamberg is famous for its smoked biers.
Me with our new friend Wolfgang.
Wolfgang was so kind and asked us to write in his journal our thoughts on Germany. He also gave me a business card where he signed his name and also drew me a flower. He was so sweet.
After we left Spezial Brau, we made our way to Brauerei to try a Marzen. On the way, we found the Bamberg Christmas Market, so we stopped for a little gluhwein and to shop around.
The stalls at the Bamberg Christmas Market
Yummy treats as far as the eye could see!
We ended up leaving with a Christmas ornament and another nutcracker. The market was not busy at all on a Monday evening. We also came home with a mug that was in the shape of a boot. We brought home a mug from each city and they are something that will always make me smile when I see them.
Drinking gluhwein in Bamberg
The breweries in Bamberg were a lot different than the ones in Munich. It is difficult to explain, but they were just different. Ken was super excited to try a Marzen at the next one. On our way to the brewery, I was so disappointed that we were not seeing Bamberg in the daylight. The old town looked adorable.
One of the beautiful buildings in old town Bamberg. Try to picture it in the daylight.
Ken enjoying his Marzen
Having fun in Bamberg despite all of the travel issues.
Ken bidding the brewery farewell. Mark my word, we will see Bamberg in the daylight at some point.
The Christmas Market stalls in old town
We stopped off at another brewery, that I forgot the name of. It was not our favorite by any means. It was so bizarre in fact. I walked outside to a covered area and there was a group of men standing there and one of them farted the loudest fart I have heard outside of the hospital. Yeah, it was awkward. Plus, there were staring oddly at me. Ken enjoyed his bier and we left. It was very odd.
Ken enjoying bier in Bamberg
We walked back to the train station, got a bier and some wine for the train ride home and ended up on some random train to Munich. Everything was so delayed that the conductor did not even come by to check our tickets.
It was by far the worst travel day we had ever had, but we took it all in stride and enjoyed our time together. It was vacation after all!! I would have preferred to actually get to see Bamberg, but alas, it was not meant to be.
Up next, our last full day in Munich!
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