Plan D

If I will take nothing else from this trip I certainly better learn some flexibility, and fast!

Plan A was to stay with my friend immediately upon arriving in Germany.  She began to have some  serious health problems and it became apparent a few days before I left that it would not be possible for me to stay with her right away.  While I was disappointed, I realize she did not ask me to make other arrangements lightly.  I will still get to meet and visit her, but having my original plan changed so last minute really threw me for a loop.

Plan B was to stay one night in Nuremberg and then travel the next morning to Prague.  I booked my tickets and hostel while still in the US a few days before I left.

Plan C was formed during a panic attack on the plane.  I had access to the internet and found there was a hotel attached to the Frankfurt airport.  I told myself if I couldn't handle any more that I would go directly there and stay until I could figure something out.

Then I went back to plan B.  I thought I would force myself to power through whatever anxiety I was experiencing and make it to Prague.  However on my first night, and what was supposed to by my only night in Nuremberg, plan D came into being.

At 3:00 am while I was sitting in bed shaking from anxiety, I realized there was no way in hell I could force myself to get up in a few hours and travel 4 hours by train with multiple transfers.  Maybe on a good day I could have handled it, but today was not that day.  At 4:00 am I stumbled down to reception and found out that I could stay at my current hostel for 2 additional nights.  While it was definitely not what I was planning to do today, I knew it was the right decision.

I finally managed to fall asleep again at about 4:30 am and slept somewhat soundly for the first time in a week.  Maybe not as soundly as I'm used to, but I'll take it! I awoke feeling a bit off, but mostly alright, and decided to venture out into the Old Town section of Nuremberg.

Nuremberg Old Town

A river cuts Old Town in half

Nuremberg's Old Town is surrounded by a stone wall.  My hostel is located right inside the South wall, and you can see it from my room.  It takes about 20-25 minutes to walk across Old Town and there is a castle located on the other side.  Today I wandered through the streets for a few hours this afternoon and found my way to the castle.

On the way there I munched on a pretzel, wandered into a craft store (who's surprised? No one?) and visited 3 different Cathedrals--all of them spectacular.

St. Lawrence Cathedral

One of the beautiful stained glass windows 

 The castle was pretty neat.  It was built during the middle ages and hosted many Roman Emperors through the years.  I got a bit burnt out part way through the audio tour and unfortunately didn't absorb much, but it has some spectacular views of the city from one of the towers.

Imperial Crown

Climbing the tower

Part of the castle and Old Town

It started to rain on my walk back to the hostel so for the rest of the afternoon I took a nap, watched Buffy The Vampire Slayer and skyped with my mom.  I still feel a bit disoriented, but I definitely think I'm starting to regain my footing.  I've got one more full day in Nuremberg before I take a train to Berlin.  At least, that's the plan for now! We'll see if Plan D is the one that actually sticks.