Saulheim
The first things I saw at the Saulheim train station were graffiti, rolling hills, and vineyards. Then, I walked down to the main intersection. On my walk down, I saw two businesses: Zorn’s Flowers and Zorn’s Jewelry. I froze when I saw these signs, but sadly, the businesses were closed. It looked like the shops had been closed for a long time. Throughout the city, there was no one on the streets. I wish the city was alive, but it was dead.
The town was really pretty, with churches and a giant park. I walked everywhere I could and ran into a few locals. I went to the grocery store, which had .55-cent beers. That’s how rural it was. Prices were unbelievably cheap. It must be nice. However, it makes sense because there weren’t any businesses, and I’m not sure how the residents made a living. I also went to the cemetery, where there were maybe 10-15 graves with Zorn on them and WW1 and WW2 memorials honoring the names of all the people who died in the wars from Saulheim. There were many Zorns on both memorials.
Zornheim
I took the train from Saulheim to the next stop North and then walked a mile to Zornheim. On approach, there were a ton of signs which made me feel at home. It was a crazy feeling.
Zornheim sat upon a hill with 360-degree views of rolling German countryside and vineyards. I could see for miles, and giant windmills were everywhere off into the distance. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face because it was so beautiful. I previously spent lots of time in big, touristy cities on the trip, so I was so happy to get out into the countryside. Plus, it was the birthplace of my ancestors.
I spent the whole day hiking around town. On a trail through some vineyards, I stumbled upon this unforgettable chapel. It was a small wooden structure on the side of a hill surrounded by goats. I assumed it was for weddings, but the door was unlocked, and I walked right in. It was so different from the huge cathedrals in the cities, and I appreciated it way more. When I close my eyes I can still feel what it felt like inside that chapel. I can’t remember that feeling about many places I visited but this chappel was special.
The other Zornheim churches and statues were in the city center. I couldn’t go inside the main cathedral, but I’m positive my ancestors worshipped there hundreds of years ago. A fountain was outside, and little kids and families played in the water on the hot day.
I love sports, and Zornheim’s athletic facility and soccer field made me proud. There were two soccer fields, a basketball gym, and a beach volleyball court, all in perfect condition. Although, I wish someone was playing on them. That’s where I would have spent my time if I lived there.
This is one of my favorite things to tell people from the US about: a vending machine with eggs, sausage, vegetables, and wine. It was one of the best things I saw on the whole trip. I wonder if this is a thing throughout rural Germany. I regret not buying anything from one of the machines.
Overall
Through talking to some locals, I found out most people who live in these places today work in the bigger cities Mainz and Wiesbaden and commute about 30 minutes a day. Then, they raise their families in the quiet suburbs. This makes sense, and I could imagine myself doing something like that. It seemed like a wonderful life. I wish my dad could have checked out Saulheim and Zornheim with me, but regardless, I am so happy that I went.