After our 30 minute tour, we hopped into the car and headed south to stay in Lake Constance for the night. We stayed at the Steigenberger Inselhotel, which is a former monastery that sits on a small private island on the edge of Lake Constance. Nothing like walking down the hallway to your room and seeing 13th century wall paintings!!
After a couple of hours lounging along the lake, we headed out to explore the city. We walked to the harbor and took the obligatory photos of the Imperia, which is the city's most famous landmark.
Then we continued along the lake. We kept seeing LOTS of people dressed in traditional German clothing, you know, men in lederhosen and women in dirndls. Finally, it dawned on us that it must be Octoberfest!
We enjoyed some authentic German food (I would've said great German food, but only David enjoyed it) and headed back to our hotel. Breakfast by the lake the next morning was fantastic. We did happen to notice that there was a couple a few tables over who seemed to be taking a long time getting situated.
They each would bring something to the table and then the other would head back inside to the dining area. A large basket of bread, assorted meats and cheeses, coffee, juice, hard boiled eggs, pastries, oops, forgot the butter and jam, could we have tea please? David and I were exhausted watching them. As we were leaving, at least 20 minutes after they started to get situated, they were finally both seated and seemed to be starting their feast.
Not bad for a hastily planned trip. Also, I have to put in a good word for "HOTWIRE". We have now used their "top secret" hotel deals three times and not only have saved at least 40% off the published room rate, but have been able to research the areas well enough that we were nearly certain of the hotel we'd get.
THIS weekend, I have the privilege of co-hosting a baby shower for a sweet couple from Cleveland. They are here in France with "dad's job" and are active members of the AIA. (Americans in Alsace) For those of you who know me, you know that I love having people in our home. It makes me happy.
Something that doesn't make me happy is the absolute rudeness (or is it ignorance) of people who do not RSVP or do so well after the stated date. Ok people, I'm living in FRANCE….you know, the place/language where RSVP comes from?? (Répondez s'il vous plaît)
Now, I guess, because the LITERAL translation there is "Reply if it pleases you", that I shouldn't be too hard on people, but really, the invitation was via email (don't tell Miss Manners) and had the link for guests to reply right there. The RSVP date was last Sunday (9/28) and yet I was still getting replies as late as 9PM last night (10-2). Again, is it rudeness, or do people in today's society not actually know what those four letter mean?
Why does that matter, you ask? Well, because most hostesses like to have enough food, drinks, party favors and seating for their guests. They give you a date for your reply so that they can SHOP for YOUR refreshments and PLAN for your enjoyment. It's not so that they can control your life. If you are waiting to see if something "better" comes along, then perhaps you should just RSVP "no" on/before the date given. (RSVP is different than "Regrets only"…maybe I'll tackle that later!)
Sorry for the venting, but now I feel better and just in case you were one of "those" people who didn't understand why it's important to RSVP, now you know.
So, if I invite you to something, know I will expect your RSVP, elsewise, Reckon Someone's Very Perturbed at you.
Á Bientôt mon amis. (See there, I am improving my French!)
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