Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Taunusstein Street Food Festival

Taunusstein Street Food Festival

A Street Food Festival is where, unlike the average German fest, here FOOD is the main event and not a side attraction! The Taunusstein street food festival offered an array of new treats and also long time favorites.

Street food festivals are so great because there is something for everyone’s taste. Also I love them because you can pace yourself and try many different foods. A great idea is to bring a food buddy and share everything so you are able to try more. So my little food buddy and I hit the trucks!

First truck that caught my eye were the amazing rice balls. I tried these at the Wiesbaden Street Food festival and even though they incredibly scrumptious I had to keep walking because they are so filling.


I asked my 5-year-old, food-sharing food-buddy if she wanted a falafel, which later I learned she thought I said ‘waffle’ so I ended up eating the whole thing myself. It is okay because it was fantastic!



The next truck had a very interesting part-appetizer, part-dessert: fried ice cream! I loved the photo of the happy little fried ice cream ball wearing shorts.



While we were there the winner for the longest line and which looked the most popular was the angus beef burger truck.


I love the diversity of this food fest because right next to it was a vegan burger truck, with a pretty good line as well!

Gotta love the vegan burger names!

Like any good German fest they had a wine stand!

If you were looking for another alcoholic drink other than wine, there was an Amato Wiesbaden Dry Gin stand. I love supporting local brewery’s, winery’s and distillery’s. The first thing I thought of was that this gin would make an awesome going away gift for a co-worker or friend so they can remember Wiesbaden. They have three classic flavors - juniper, citrus fruit peel, coriander. Then they also have more unusual botanicals such as thyme, tomato, cucumber and apricots. 


At the next truck I had a ‘where have you been all my life’ moment. It was a Choco Kebab truck! A kebab that was made from a cone wrap, shredded chocolate and whipped cream as sauce. The most awesome part of it all was that they SCRAPE the chocolate off a big hunk of “doner” chocolate! It is like a doner kebab stand in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! (Is this what Oompa Loompa’s eat at 2am after a night out drinking?!)


After eating all of these different types of food, I said pass on the electric bull! But it was a nice idea for kids to try out.

For dessert my foodie buddy and I went for some good ole’ frozen yogurt. We love going to the frozen yogurt places back home in New York City with our besties, so we wanted a little taste of home.


We ate our frozen yogurt and listened to the Taunusstein Street Food Festival music man. Such a fun day! We look forward to the next street food festival in Germany!

Getting there:
Taunusstein-Hahn
Old Train station


Author’s Profile: Gemma is a Jersey Broad Abroad living in Wiesbaden, Germany, and she is enjoying her extended European vacation.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Fun in the Sun at the Lorelei Toboggan Run!

Fun in the Sun at the Lorelei Toboggan Run!

Picture yourself zipping down the side of a mountain, sun in your eyes, wind in your face, on your own speedy toboggan pretending to be in the Olympic games, and going as fast as you dare! Also add a huge smile on your face when you envision this because it is so FUN! This exhilarating experience is possible at the summer toboggan run in Lorelei called, ‘Sommerrodelbahn Loreley-Bob’.



The toboggan run is located in one of the most beautiful areas in Germany: the Lorelei lookout high above the Rhine River. This is a spot not to miss during your visit to the toboggan run. You can go to the look out and See Through the Eyes of Lorelei.


After following the signs for the toboggan run it will take you down some steps down the mountain, but have faith, the toboggan run is around the corner.


At the ticket booth you can buy your ticket for the toboggan run. It is very affordable, so the three of us went three times each.



They have a sign in English.


You then swipe your ticket to enter and it is time to ride. Your toboggan awaits!!


Children can sit right in front of you and they have a handle for them to hold on to. When you get in you will first be pulled up the mountain nice and slow. This was very relaxing. Good opportunity to take a photo or two...or ten. #TobogganSelfie



While getting pulled up you can see the toboggan run that you are about to go down.



The last thing you see before it is just you and the open track is a cactus waving goodbye to you. Tschuss!


And you’re off! You can brake by pushing down on the lever or pull up to let it ride. They have some signs before the turn that suggests that it is a good time to brake.


I was going down each time with my GoPro in hand and I was still able to brake and control the toboggan.


‘Langsam’ means slow, but it will be pretty obvious what they want you to do after you have plastic ribbons smacking you in the face.




All good things come to an end! You get off your toboggan and go check out how crazy you looked in the photo and also check your speed.




We got back on line and went two more times. Those two times we tried to make our photo more ridiculous than the previous one!



Tables are available for light snacks and ice cream. What a fun place to hold a birthday party!


Perhaps I should join a German bobsled team like in the movie ‘Cool Runnings’. Or maybe not and I will just stick to the toboggan run in Lorelei! This photo pretty much sums up our day!



Author’s Profile: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.