Haslach is a small town of around 7,000 people, nestled in the Kinzig River valley among the rolling hills of the Black Forest. | RAE POYNTER
Friendship and Hospitality in Germany’s Black Forest By Rae Poynter As someone who has done quite a bit of traveling, I always struggle with the question about why I choose to travel. Among travel’s many benefits, it can be difficult to sum up the seemingly endless reasons that could ultimately draw me to it. But despite all the good that can come from traveling, what I cherish the most is the opportunity to build connections and make friends with people from around the world, people who not only show impeccable kindness, but who inspire me to become an even better person myself. Amidst our extensive European backpacking venture, my husband and I found ourselves in southern Germany in mid-October. We were traveling toward the Black Forest for the most interesting wedding present we had received: a visit to a small village called Haslach im Kinzigtal (Haslach for short). It was a village I had never heard of before; certainly not one to top the list of must-see places in Europe. But some friends of ours had fallen in love with the area many years ago, so much so that at one point they had even started their own tour business taking Americans to visit Haslach. So when this couple gifted us a stay in the village that meant so much to them, we were thrilled to accept. 32
OCTOBER 2020
The Beautiful Black Forest
It was a bright autumn day when we stepped off the train in Haslach. It was a small town, only around 7,000 people, nestled in the Kinzig River valley among the rolling hills of the Black Forest. Much more green than black (and tinged with October gold at our arrival), we would hear more than one local puzzle over why this region was dubbed the Black Forest. The ultimate answer was the ancient Romans found the thick conifers dark and mysterious. While the locals may have regarded the backdrop of their everyday lives as anything but mysterious, even I had to appreciate the evocative, fairytale charm that lay in the name, and the childlike curiosity it conjured up. The village of Haslach itself definitely has a fairytale charm to it. Germany is a diverse country, with bustling modern cities and slower country life. Most of the “traditional” German villages that tourists envision (complete with cuckoo clocks and polka music) can be found in southern Germany in regions like Bavaria and the Black Forest. While not stereotypical, stepping into Haslach felt like going back in time, with cobblestone streets, half-timbered
NORTHERN WILDS
While not stereotypical, stepping into Haslach felt like going back in time with cobblestone streets, half-timbered buildings, and manicured gardens. | RAE POYNTER buildings, and manicured gardens. As we made our way to our gasthaus, we passed
by bakeries, woodworking shops, and taverns before crossing over the Kinzig River
