I awoke this morning with a bit of a cough and was immediately glad to remember that there was little on the schedule today. Playing it safe—and after four people have been removed from the boat after positive Covid tests—we mentioned the cough to our program director and requested a test. Alice and I both were each tested twice, and fortunately were negative.
We docked in Schweinfurt shortly after lunch on the boat. The name Schweinfurt literally means “pig crossing,” and the story goes that the town was named after an area in the river that was small enough for the little pigs to cross. Founded in the 13th Century, Schweinfurt is a mix of the old and new.
Jon and Alice walked into the town with a small group, hoping to find an open pharmacy. Most businesses are closed today, as they are celebrating the second day of Pentecost, and it is a bank holiday. Our program director Tim was kind enough to help find an open pharmacy (an ‘Apotheke’). Because of Covid, the woman operating the store wouldn’t allow everyone in, and instead opened the doors a few inches and took individually everyone’s orders for supplements and medication through the open doors.
Schweinfurt is a charming little town – I wish I could have seen more of it, but enjoy some pictures Jon took on their short excursion.

The town square




The group, waiting to get their items from the pharmacy. Tim was so kind as to translate.


The statue in the town square is of Friedrich Rückert (1788-1866), a German poet, translator, and Professor of Oriental languages at the University of Erlangen. He was born in Schweinfurt and is therefore honored here.


Schweinfurt’s Town Hall

The painting on this building is a typical adornment of German medieval buildings.
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