Now for July 21 recap! Bags outside door by 7:30 and board the bus at 8:00. Still had time for another good breakfast! While driving to Eisleben, there was some rain but a nice day in Eisleben which is where Luther was born and died.  Once again we were met by a local guide and then we were off walking uphill to Start Peter & Paul Church where Luther was baptized.

Local guide

Sts Peter & Paul

 A prototype of a monument to Luther that is being renovated in Market Square

This is the front of the building where Luther died - there is a courtyard inside

 St Andrew's - Luther held his last sermons here & his body laid in state for one day (19 Feb 1546) before being conveyed to Wittenberg

Winged alter depicts the blessing of St Mary as Queen of Heaven

 Delicious lunch of gazpacho and Cesar salad. We sat outside in market square & it was market day!!

This gentleman and another man are following the ancient custom of wandering for one year to fulfill his apprenticeship in the building trade. Traditional clothing. Yes, we gave him some money! Astrid, our tour guide, was sitting with us and interpreted his explanation. She was pleased to see them as it shows respect and continuation for the old traditions.

Eisleben's mascot is an ox - many decorated ones stand throughout the city during spring, summer and fall!

Then back on the bus for about a two hour drive to Leipzig - I think there were many naps along the way! Poor Astrid tries to prepare us with facts, antidotes, etc., while on the road but we sometimes we aren't very attentive! We did see many wind chargers which supplies a large % of Germany's energy needs.

Also fields & fields of wheat with some being harvested.

Upon arrival at hotel where we had to park by train station,

a hoard of young employees came out across major streets to collect our bags with prompt delivery to our rooms which are quite nice and now cooled off - no a/c so stuffy until we get the windows open! We are one floor above a tram route but so will see how noisy it is for sleeping! The frequency of trams running seems to already have decreased. A large city of 520,000+ so many sirens too.

I'm certainly getting spoiled by these lovely rooms - not sure if I'll ever be able to stay at a hostel again!! 

Okay, I am all caught up to date.