On Day-40, 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.
