Esslingen and Stuttgart

Today was another day of adventure as we took a high-speed train from Karlsruhe to Esslingen. Next up, we toured the Mercedes-Benz Museum and learned about the company’s history and future designs. We then toured Stuttgart, complete with a stop at a market, and then had a fabulous meal together. My choice, the journey, was a sampler of traditional German food, and “delicious “ does not even come close to how amazing it tasted. 

Denkendorf and Esslingen, Germany: Today, we visited the Festo Didactic SE, which is a provider of equipment and solutions for technical vocational training in the electrical field. They focus on the four Cs of education and incorporate diverse technologies as they believe in the power of innovation and productivity for employment. We saw many innovations that student apprentices use, including a singing robot!! They hold true to “technical education is key as a driver for innovation.” Next up, we explored some of the “old city” in Esslingen, and around each corner was a breathtaking sight - it was like being in a fairy tale. Esslingen escaped most of the bombings of WWII and has over 200 historical buildings. We then toured a wine vineyard, Teamwerk Esslingen. This vineyard incorporates steep terraces to produce its crop.  Historical documents mention wine as early as 778 in the city, and in fact the oldest wine in Germany, Kessler Sect, is found in Esslingen.  We also explored a local grocery store, one of my favorite things to do when I’m traveling. I loved their healthy food rating system on packaging and seeing the unique treats found here. 

 “Magical” would be the word to describe our last day. We climbed 400+ steps to the Esslingen am Neckar Castle, and the views were spectacular. We strolled the grounds and then stopped for a relaxing snack. We met for our farewell dinner and ended the day watching the Euro Cup in the town square. I am beyond grateful for such a life-changing experience and for the opportunity to learn with and to continue to move forward with such amazing educators. Until our next adventure…