Wertheim Castle - GCT Photo
Wertheim is well known for it's glass blowing had has a famous glass museum. As our ship approached the town, Dieter a local glassblower joined us on-board for a demonstration.
 Nancy adds an ornament to her Christmas collection |  Audrey looks at the artists glass objects |
After an early lunch we walked a short distance into Wertheim, another charming fairy-tale town. It is located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers, a perfect location for another castle. which sits on a hill overlooking the town.
Most climbed the hill to the castle but my bum knee (which is much better but not ready for a hike yet) kept me in the town center where Rand and I enjoyed an iced coffee - German-style, which means it's made with vanilla ice cream instead of milk and ice.
Several others visited the renowned Glass Museum, where exhibitions display the town's long and proud tradition of glass production.
Most climbed the hill to the castle but my bum knee (which is much better but not ready for a hike yet) kept me in the town center where Rand and I enjoyed an iced coffee - German-style, which means it's made with vanilla ice cream instead of milk and ice.
Several others visited the renowned Glass Museum, where exhibitions display the town's long and proud tradition of glass production.
 Wertheim clock tower (Carol's Photo) |  View from the Castle (Carol's photo) |
 Notice the markings on the left side of the door. These are historic flood levels. |  City square |
Ursula explains "Jewish Wertheim" Late afternoon we gathered in the lounge for another informative presentation, this time titled "Jewish Wertheim". Our discussion leader is a Catholic tour guide from Wertheim. She gave us the history of Jewish persecution that goes back as far as the middle ages. We learned at the time the Nazis were voted into power there were only 600,000 Jews in Germany. 200,00 left immediately, 200,000 left shortly thereafter, leaving only 200,000 who were rounded up and put in concentration camps. How is it possible that millions were killed in the concentration camps when there were only 200,00 in Germany? Because most of those exterminated were from neighboring countries.
One of her key points is that Germans today do not feel guilt for the holocaust because you cannot be responsible for something you didn't' do. She continued that they do feel shame and responsible to ensure it does not happen again. Her wise words echoed our shame and responsibility for our treatment of Native Americans and slavery.
She continued with touching personal stories about her grandparents during the war and ended with a hearty "Thank You" to the United States for all their assistance during reconstruction and during the Communist era.
One of her key points is that Germans today do not feel guilt for the holocaust because you cannot be responsible for something you didn't' do. She continued that they do feel shame and responsible to ensure it does not happen again. Her wise words echoed our shame and responsibility for our treatment of Native Americans and slavery.
She continued with touching personal stories about her grandparents during the war and ended with a hearty "Thank You" to the United States for all their assistance during reconstruction and during the Communist era.
 Fast friends are made on our trips. Laura and Nancy met in Spain and continue their friendship on this trip. |
