Wetzlar

We took the FLIX train to Fulda (reservation only) and from there a regional train to Wetzlar where Timothy met us. We were constantly on the learning curve with transportation, but it went well. We settled onto the Flix train only to have to move 4 cars down on a moving train with narrow aisles with our luggage to the seats the conductor told us we're reserved for us.
Travelling on regional trains was a great way to see lots of German countryside and slices of the lives of the people. We took note of solar farms and windmills all along the way. Fred says that Germany has made a big commitment to these renewable energy sources. The large wind turbines seemed to be sprinkled around the landscape rather than massed, but the net effect seems to be in quantity.
Land use was also apparent as we rode through fields and backyards. There were wide open fields, but I noticed that the train tracks passed at the very edge of backyards open to clock time with passing trains. The yards were close enough to harvest from the garden or feed a hen if the train was not moving clackety clack down the track.
An interesting culture observation came when a futbol team (soccer) got in the train. They were an exuberant bunch and fun to see after miles of quiet commuters. They were in party mode and evidently that was not against the rules on the train because some of the bottles were drained when they got off.
The very best part of this train trip was all the time we had to get better acquainted with our travelling companions. See the picture of Jim and Fred in conversation on the train.Read more