Wolfssteige im Schwarzwald

You, my dear reader, are about to get picture overload.

We went hiking today. Half of the IES students went to Schauinsland, which is Freiburg's house peak. Out of our two options, though, it is the more tourist-y one, so I figured I could go back to do that one on my own. I opted for the more obscure St. Peter/Wolfssteige trip.

We met at Hauptbahnhof, took a train to a little town outside of Freiburg, then hopped on a bus up to St. Peter. Five minutes out of Freiburg we were very distinctly in the Black Forest/Schwarzwald, and our bus was winding around miniature-mountains and in and out of quaint little villages. St. Peter is a village VERY high up, where there is a baroque church built on the site of an old monastery. I must say, I'm not big on baroque architecture (it strikes me as overly extravagant) but no one can deny how much craftwork and labor went into the building of this church way up on a hill in the Black Forest.

St. Peter

inside St. Peter

prayer candles

It was pretty amazing, all in all. Apparently they have a gorgeous library, too, but it's closed off to the public.

organpipes in st. peter's

near the st. peter's church

getting back into town

the plaza

the old monastery gateway

After leaving St. Peter, we headed down, or up, the Wolfssteige trail. It's about 7 or 8 km long, or just under 5 miles. Imagine the Sound of Music, and you get the general idea about the scenery (except smaller mountains and bigger forests).

what? this? scenic? nah....

one of many spectacular views

black forest cows!!! (but are they happier than california cows?)

the black forest

a really cute creek!

again, the black forest, and a house

a waterfall in the woods

You know those movies where there are really epic scenic shots of the characters walking along these ridiculously high ridges and hills with unbelievable backdrops? That was me. Also, I got to frolick in fields, which is less epic, but no less amazing.

me in the old castle walls

At the end of this VERY STRENUOUS hike, we visited the ruins of a 1.000 year old castle. I've never really seen ruin ruins (all the castles around Koblenz are relatively whole. As in, you can see the walls fairly distinctly). I still really enjoyed it. We were in the middle of the Black Forest, went up a ridiculously steep hill (I mean, very athletic and hiking-accustomed people were falling down this hill it was so near vertical) and suddenly we were surrounded by old stone walls covered in ivy, with tree roots weaving in and out of the stone. A lot of the others thought it was a bit anti-climactic (and not worth the climb), but it was absolutely gorgeous in its ruin. It's as enjoyable to be able to imagine what was there, who lived there (and how they got up that hill on a regular basis!) than to see it. It was dark there, and kind of dank because it rained last night, and the ground was covered with roots. It was creepily fairy-tale-ish (Grimm brother style).

we hiked over ruins of a 1.000 year old castle

tree through old castle walls

We then had dinner at the IES center in the garden, and pasta really isn't terribly exciting, but I did meet a professor. I have two classes scheduled at the same time on Monday (but they're different the rest of the week): Europe and the Muslim World and Migration: Ethnic Minorities in Europe which I think would compliment each other really well. This lady is teaching the Ethnic Minorities course, and I talked to her, and she said she wasn't sure if Mondays really worked for her either and, if I really wanted her to, she might get it changed. I may be in both classes!!!!

When I got back to my WG, Rebekka was at the table. I haven't gotten to see her much, and she seems really cool. She asked what we did today, and we had this whole conversation in German, and she invited me out with her and her best friend Tuesday night (when their summer semester ends). I'm really excited!! It's so hard to get to know Germans here because the culture is so different, but I really want to make some German friends! I feel like I'm not getting as much language practice or cultural immersion because I always end up hanging out with Americans.

written by

lost_red_balloon on September 7, 2008 from Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

from the travel blog: The European Union

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I'm so jealous!!! The trip through the Black Forest and across castle ruins seems like it was amazing!!!
btw I learned in Music Lit this semester that the term 'Baroque' actually means 'too extravagant' 'affected' and 'over the top.' The title was given to the time period later (like all other time periods) and was meant as an insult. So guess what kind of music I get to listen to?? Also, you are correct in thinking that the Baroque style is too much. :)

Um...HIKING THROUGH THE Black Forest?!?!

written by stephanie taylor on September 10, 2008

You know...as far as I nkow the next time I read one of your blogs you'll have found some hidden path that will lead you back to a time of kings and dragons.....in other words I'm SUPER JEALOUS!!! Gosh those pictures are gorgeous...those places are beautiful...but I must remind myself that I too will have grogeous pictures and see beautiful places next semester...only a few more months....

Love you and miss you bunchs! OH! what's your Skype name...I can't find you!! :(

written by Heather on September 11, 2008

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