On Day-30, May 30 (Memorial Day), I spent 6 hrs on regional trains (4 different ones) traveling from Görlitz to Eisenach. (Look at pic with section on train for bikes.) Arrived just in time to get a bed, as the last two nuns were leaving. It all worked out well staying at the Diakonnesian House (5€ for bed and 5€ for breakfast).
After a hearty breakfast, they had a prayer service where they asked me to describe me and my pilgrimage. At the conclusion, the sister in charge presented me with a memento–it was very touching!
Began my walk at 9 AM, first along a country road, then a rough trail into thick forest–mostly a gentle climb all the way. My biggest challenge (in all my 40 days) came when the trail ended at a locked gate to backyard of a house at a point where the nettles were waist high. My only out was to climb up a 20-ft embankment up to a road, but the slope was steep with loose humus and wet leaves and nothing to grab hold of.
For 30 min. I feared falling back down into the nettles–but I finally made it. All was easy after that, even walking through wet vegetation.
Great pilgrims’ hostel and well stocked–no stores or eateries in this small village. Will meet the owner at around 6 PM. Goal is Vacha tomorrow–the official end of the German Ökumenischen Weg.