Forbach-Gausbach

Visiting the sleepy twin German villages of Forbach-Gausbach, and hiking in the Black Forest mountains, has been refreshing. There are no tourists here, no English is spoken, the population is under 1000, and there's some of the best, freshest, most inexpensive Thai (?!) food we've ever had. And wireless internet in a hotel suite for 55 euro per night.

The people are very friendly. We got free shots at the Thai Bistro, just for being customers, I guess. There are about four restaurants here, one of which is in our inn, and all the inns and houses are out of Grimm's fairy tales and you never know if you're walking into someone's house, an inn, a restaurant or a beer garden--it's always some combination. There are tons of vegetable gardens, chicken coups, and wild mountain goats. There are also many beautiful cathedrals, with bells clanging even at 3:15 am.

Here are pictures. It's really, really great here.