We are taking it slow this morning as our apartment in Nuremberg is available at 1pm, so instead of visiting Bayreuth and then going onto Nuremberg, we are hanging out with the parrots for a bit longer, then driving directly to Nuremberg and our “Penthouse” apartment.

It’s an easy drive, virtually all on the autobahn, where we stop occasionally for facilities, and also to have our picnic lunch in the car.  What the heck?  The apartment host has left us specific directions for the garage and apartment, explaining (sort of) the tandem parking we will use.  Oh my!  We didn’t really truly understand it until we got there.  We have to drive our car onto this ramp, and then once we are out, push a button to make the ramp rise up because we have the “upper” spot!  OMG!  And there will be a car parked below us. All we have to say is thank God we know to always have a small car!

Excitement over, we roll our bags into the apartment house to the top floor (elevate to floor 4, drag bags up one more flight of stairs to the “Penthouse”).  Here is our second surprise: this apartment, built on the roof of this building, has no air conditioning – even though the listing clearly states it has air.  In two places!  The fan on the breakfast bar gave it away!  We were so angry – we had specifically canceled another apartment to stay here for the A/C.  After many conversations with booking.com (who we use extensively and this was definitely the first apartment fail!) and the owner, we decide to just try to make this work. But with negotiations on a price break, that’s for sure. 

It’s a cute apartment and very well equipped in the kitchen.  The bed has been moved for some reason so that one side is blocked in – but we move it back to the position it was shown on the listing and all is well. Although we do have to say, the other huge selling point for this place is the rooftop terrace.  Um.  Not even close to “designer” or whatever they call it.  Weeds everywhere, dirty, old wooden pallets stacked in one corner, grill that looks nasty, broken plastic storage container.  Oh, and one of the outdoor lights is hanging off the wall by the electrical conduit.  Just icky.  Sigh.  Oh well – things happen. Gotta deal with what we have.

So, on we go. To the Nuremberg Trials Memorial Building where we begin the use of our Nuremberg card and wander through the actual courthouse where the Trials took place.  The courtroom is laid out pretty much as it was – some of the desks and boxes have been moved, but still. This is where it all happened.

Plus upstairs, where the 2^nd floor viewing gallery was once located, is now a great exhibit on the trials, from set up to participants to sentencing. They even have the original benches where the Nazi regime criminals sat.  Plus tons of other cool stuff, including the power controls for the entire courtroom.   

After visiting the exhibit, we are lucky enough to be there right in time for the multi-media presentation called “Courtroom 600: Time Travel” which, as they say, “brings the courtroom to life,” with video and interviews and all sorts of old clips that lets us pretty much experience the trials as they were 70 years ago.  Excellent.  Although really scary/sad/poignant – especially in light of today’s global situation.  ‘Nuff said.

Walking back to the apartment, we stumble on Norma, a great discount grocery store, on the level with Lidl!  Perfect for our supplies stock.  Once back in the apartment, we continue our “reparation” negotiations, deciding we’ll wait until tomorrow to decide whether to move or not. We have the fan hooked up properly and if the weather holds…fingers crossed.  Because we really don’t want to have to pack up and move again – plus we have a full schedule the next 3 days and don’t want to take time out for another move.

Off to dinner, we head to Die Kugel, a short 5-minute walk away.  We had no reservations, which caused some sort of a stir with the waiter, but eventually the owner came over and gave us a great little table at the back of the restaurant and proceeded to chat and wow us with his knowledge and his food!  He was all about the wine – and actually recommended an excellent local Pinot Gris – which I am now on a hunt for everywhere.  He chatted us up the entire evening, especially after we complimented him on his music playlist.  And the food – roasted cabbage that was to die for (trust us, it doesn’t look as appealing as it tasted); excellent schnitzel, a different, light and refreshing sausage salad.  A great way to soothe our irritated apartment false advertising souls!

Back at the apartment we just had to check on the car, and sure enough, another car was parked underneath.  Crazy!    And that was that.  Back upstairs, with all the doors open, it wasn’t all that bad. Fortunately the weather has cooled significantly today – let’s hope it holds. The balcony is still a mess – and there are bees!  Ed was stung by a bee!!! On his tongue!  It got in his beer.  Argh….