Today we decided to see the city of Heidelberg. Mindy has done some touring during the day but has been limited by having two kids and no car. In the evenings after work, we have also done a little but really not much more than look at a few shops and grab something for dinner.
The weather today was pretty much what we have had for the whole week - cool and cloudy. Before going up to the castle, we decided to spend some time in the city, hoping that the fog lifted a little and the weather improved. We went into the Altstadt region of the city and spent some time walking along the typical German looking cobblestone streets, looking in shops etc. Naomi and Fiona picked out a couple of German dolls and so they thought it was time well spent.
We then rode the "funicular railway" up to the castle. Heidelberg Castle contains structures built as early as the 13th century and as "recently" as the 17th century. It is certainly the tourist highlight of the city. The views from the castle are great and despite some of the castle being in ruin, the majority of it is in good enough condition to make for an interesting couple of hours.
After this, it was back onto the rail to continue our ride up the mountain. This involved two trains - the modern train to take us some of the way, then a ride on the renovated original railway dating from 1907. This took us up to Konigstuhl, Heidelberg's highest point (550m above sea level). The views from here were spectacular, not only of Heidelberg but the farmland and other towns in the distance. After a few moments of silence, enjoying the scenery, I was shaken back to reality with Mindy forcefully stating that "They said they are cold and hungry...and I agree with them!", so we grabbed something to eat.
The lunch we had was superb. Mindy and I both ordered the Pork Rahmschnitzel...what is not to like about breaded, deep fried pork, smothered in a creamy gravy. This will certainly be consumed again before we leave!
After lunch we visited the Heidelberg Fairy Tale Park (Heidelberger Marchenparadies). Basically a small theme park with various displays telling the stories from old fairy tales. Unfortunately the narration was in German but the visuals were still interesting. In addition, there were jumping castles and other rides that the kids really enjoyed. I would certainly recommend this for anyone travelling here with small kids.
Then, down the mountain and back to the hotel where we saw a few indications that we had achieved another goal of running the kids ragged! Fiona fell off the last ride at the park. Naomi then slipped and was bashed in the head by the mechanical gate leading to the train. Then, back at the hotel, she went to lean against the door of the elevator...just as it opened and so tumbled into the lobby of the hotel. They both crashed asleep relatively quickly allowing me to download and watch the Wallabies beat the All Blacks in the rugby...go you good things!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
I'm Rick James, bitch!
I finally got out today. I had planned to venture out two days ago but ended up just waiting for our hotel room to be ready. Yesterday the girls and I went on a small trip to the very German store Toys-R-Us! It was nice for the girls to play a little.
Today we took a big trip into the Altstadt. It is the center of town and where all of the shops are located. I was taking the girls to get some lunch and Naomi said "Let's get on the bus mommy". I thought, why not. I jumped on without buying a ticket - I thought I could buy one once I was on the tram. The driver spoke no English and just let me get off without charging. I guess it was not worth 2 Euro to try to communicate with me.
It was exciting that we actually made it. They have all kinds of cool shops down narrow cobblestone streets. What else would you expect in Europe, I guess. The girls talked me into an outfit and shoes for both of them. I was just looking for a jacket for myself. We also ended up with umbrellas because it started pouring down while we were shopping. We began to find our way back to the hotel and that's when the day got a little frustrating.
I had to buy a ticket this time instead of acting like a hobo (David's words). I swear I was looking for my stop but when I realized that "wagon haute" was not a stop but was displayed at EVERY stop, I was past where I needed to get off. For some stupid reason I thought I would just ride it out until the tram turned around. I decided to ask the teenage boys behind me if they spoke English, thinking they could help me figure out how far I was out of my way. They said they did not speak English but then proceeded to quote The Chappelle Show. I heard them saying "I'm Rick James, bitch!" among other quotes, all in perfect English. They were obviously making fun of me and I was just trying not to cry. Eventually the tram stopped and after purchasing another ticket, I made it back to the hotel.
Tonight we ate dinner at a Chinese restaurant, amusingly named "Ho's Garden". Excellent food but the highlight of the night for David was listening to the Chinese waiter speaking fluent German.
Today we took a big trip into the Altstadt. It is the center of town and where all of the shops are located. I was taking the girls to get some lunch and Naomi said "Let's get on the bus mommy". I thought, why not. I jumped on without buying a ticket - I thought I could buy one once I was on the tram. The driver spoke no English and just let me get off without charging. I guess it was not worth 2 Euro to try to communicate with me.
It was exciting that we actually made it. They have all kinds of cool shops down narrow cobblestone streets. What else would you expect in Europe, I guess. The girls talked me into an outfit and shoes for both of them. I was just looking for a jacket for myself. We also ended up with umbrellas because it started pouring down while we were shopping. We began to find our way back to the hotel and that's when the day got a little frustrating.
I had to buy a ticket this time instead of acting like a hobo (David's words). I swear I was looking for my stop but when I realized that "wagon haute" was not a stop but was displayed at EVERY stop, I was past where I needed to get off. For some stupid reason I thought I would just ride it out until the tram turned around. I decided to ask the teenage boys behind me if they spoke English, thinking they could help me figure out how far I was out of my way. They said they did not speak English but then proceeded to quote The Chappelle Show. I heard them saying "I'm Rick James, bitch!" among other quotes, all in perfect English. They were obviously making fun of me and I was just trying not to cry. Eventually the tram stopped and after purchasing another ticket, I made it back to the hotel.
Tonight we ate dinner at a Chinese restaurant, amusingly named "Ho's Garden". Excellent food but the highlight of the night for David was listening to the Chinese waiter speaking fluent German.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
It's the little differences...
I visited Europe before, back in 1989. My perspective back then was that of someone with the rich life experience of having lived for 17 years in one house in Newcastle! I am certainly noticing more this time around, strangely enough.
Everything is a little smaller over here – cars, parking spaces and roads (all of these are related I suppose). The serving sizes in the restaurants are a lot smaller than in the USA as well. Elevators are also tiny and very narrow making it more difficult to get past people if your floor is reached first.
Most of the cars are obviously European models, but I have seen some Fords. This really confused me – why would you buy a Ford when the alternative was a decently priced European car? I have since found out that Fords over here are made in Germany and you can get a full featured car for a decent price. In general, the style of cars reminds me a lot of what we saw in South Africa last year, without the vans packed full of day-workers.
Restaurants seem to rarely take credit cards, again a HUGE change from the USA where you almost never need cash. Waitresses will come to your table with the bill wearing a change belt and you can settle everything right there.
Don’t expect free water at a restaurant. Beer is cheaper than coke at times. No free refills (this I was used to from Australia).
Europeans are very environmentally conscious. Smaller cars, a lot of public transport and energy efficient light bulbs in most places. At the SAP offices there is no air conditioning, something that I initially thought was strange…but it is actually quite nice working in the fresh air with the windows open. Very few rooms have their lights on as well. Also, there is no disposable serving ware at all. Coffee cups and all of your lunch plates, utensils etc are provided and washed for you. Reusable cloth towel dispensers instead of paper towels are also provided.
European coffee is great! The SAP office and also the Executive Lounge at the hotel for Mindy have Espresso / Coffee machines which give you a perfect cup in a few seconds. Great stuff!
European fashion is also quite distinctive. I have never been what you would call particularly stylish in any crowd with my collection of concert t-shirts to wear but over here I think I stick out in the crowd even more than usual.
One final thing…I also have learned a lot about being a foreigner. I am sure you have all said something to a foreign person and had them just nod, smile and not say anything back. I now know EXACTLY how that feels. I have found myself doing that on several occasions. I can understand enough German to get by but cannot think quickly enough to reply immediately in a passing conversation. I have found myself knowing that someone has said something nice/polite to me, couldn’t instantly work out what they were saying or how to respond…so just ended up nodding and smiling back, kind of feeling like an idiot but not wanting to look impolite.
Everything is a little smaller over here – cars, parking spaces and roads (all of these are related I suppose). The serving sizes in the restaurants are a lot smaller than in the USA as well. Elevators are also tiny and very narrow making it more difficult to get past people if your floor is reached first.
Most of the cars are obviously European models, but I have seen some Fords. This really confused me – why would you buy a Ford when the alternative was a decently priced European car? I have since found out that Fords over here are made in Germany and you can get a full featured car for a decent price. In general, the style of cars reminds me a lot of what we saw in South Africa last year, without the vans packed full of day-workers.
Restaurants seem to rarely take credit cards, again a HUGE change from the USA where you almost never need cash. Waitresses will come to your table with the bill wearing a change belt and you can settle everything right there.
Don’t expect free water at a restaurant. Beer is cheaper than coke at times. No free refills (this I was used to from Australia).
Europeans are very environmentally conscious. Smaller cars, a lot of public transport and energy efficient light bulbs in most places. At the SAP offices there is no air conditioning, something that I initially thought was strange…but it is actually quite nice working in the fresh air with the windows open. Very few rooms have their lights on as well. Also, there is no disposable serving ware at all. Coffee cups and all of your lunch plates, utensils etc are provided and washed for you. Reusable cloth towel dispensers instead of paper towels are also provided.
European coffee is great! The SAP office and also the Executive Lounge at the hotel for Mindy have Espresso / Coffee machines which give you a perfect cup in a few seconds. Great stuff!
European fashion is also quite distinctive. I have never been what you would call particularly stylish in any crowd with my collection of concert t-shirts to wear but over here I think I stick out in the crowd even more than usual.
One final thing…I also have learned a lot about being a foreigner. I am sure you have all said something to a foreign person and had them just nod, smile and not say anything back. I now know EXACTLY how that feels. I have found myself doing that on several occasions. I can understand enough German to get by but cannot think quickly enough to reply immediately in a passing conversation. I have found myself knowing that someone has said something nice/polite to me, couldn’t instantly work out what they were saying or how to respond…so just ended up nodding and smiling back, kind of feeling like an idiot but not wanting to look impolite.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Grosse oder kleine?
So...today I ventured out on my own with the girls all the way to the hotel pool! It was stormy out today and although the Germans were riding bicyles while holding umbrellas, I did not think the girls would be up for a ten minute walk in the rain. The pool was great. Naomi discovered she could touch the bottom of the shallow end and Fiona took a nap. I did a few laps while pretending to be "mermaid" Naomi's pet seahorse. We had the pool all to ourselves. After a while a gentleman walked in and walked over to a chair and set his stuff down. I thought his swimming trunks seemed odd because they just looked like shorts. Then he proceeded to remove them at poolside! No undies, no nothing! He took off everything and then put a towel around his waist. He sat and read a book and every so often he would go to the men's locker room, come back to the pool and switch towels! Everytime he switched, we got the show (not that I was looking). I thought, I guess I'm in Europe now! I was glad Naomi did not see him because I am sure she would have pointed and announced what she saw.
Anyway, we did not do much today because of the rain and the jetlag. We all took turns waking up during the night. I am living on cappuccino from the executive lounge (this is a special room that we have access to because David travels so often). Of course every time David walks to the executive lounge he acts as if he has top security clearance or something, even when the room is packed with people.
I really will try to go into the Alstadt tomorrow. I will probably try to take a tram to get there so wish me luck!
Anyway, we did not do much today because of the rain and the jetlag. We all took turns waking up during the night. I am living on cappuccino from the executive lounge (this is a special room that we have access to because David travels so often). Of course every time David walks to the executive lounge he acts as if he has top security clearance or something, even when the room is packed with people.
I really will try to go into the Alstadt tomorrow. I will probably try to take a tram to get there so wish me luck!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
So we finally decided to create a blog. Initially this will be a vacation type journal and if we stay motivated, perhaps will continue beyond this to keep in touch with family and friends abroad.
We arrived in Germany today. We are here for a month...3 weeks with me (David) working and then a week of travelling around. After an uneventful flight we had to lug two kids, two car seats, a stroller, 4 bags and 3 carry on bags through two terminals, a train, an ESCALATOR (the lift was out), about 7 other lifts (no kidding) all of which were about the size of a public toilet cubicle looking for our rental car. Travelling with kids is GREAT.
So we found our car and figured we could relax a little. 10 minutes later we were still sitting there trying to start the friggin thing. I guess compared to my Flintstones mobile, the BMW we got was a little high tech. Every combination of pressing the button that said "Push to start" was tried...many times. Eventually we summoned help and found that you have to have a foot on the brake in order for the engine to start. Mindy was convinced it was the lack of a seatbelt that was the issue.
So we drive to Heidelberg listening to 80's pop on the radio and trying to figure out how to work the navagation system. Fortunately, Mindy managed to get it going and we got to the hotel in one piece.
Up till now, everyone we had encountered spoke perfect English. My plan of approaching everyone and asking them "Sprechen Sie Englisch" and hoping for a "Yes" was successful. This was until we left the hotel and tried to find a restaurant. Now everyone in Heidelberg seemed to be flying past us on bicycles and those we found to be walking spoke absolutely no English. We were even asked by a complete stranger for directions (I think) and she kept on talking even though we clearly had no idea what the hell she was talking about. The only way I figured I could shut her up was to throw back my favourite "Sprechen Sie Englisch". At this point she left us alone.
With the help of 20 year old high school German and a phrase book, we managed to successfully order drinks, dinner, coffee and dessert...so I suppose we did OK. Tomorrow it will be Mindy and the kids with the phrase book taking on the city as I will be at work.
More later as we recover from jet lag and actually do something.
We arrived in Germany today. We are here for a month...3 weeks with me (David) working and then a week of travelling around. After an uneventful flight we had to lug two kids, two car seats, a stroller, 4 bags and 3 carry on bags through two terminals, a train, an ESCALATOR (the lift was out), about 7 other lifts (no kidding) all of which were about the size of a public toilet cubicle looking for our rental car. Travelling with kids is GREAT.
So we found our car and figured we could relax a little. 10 minutes later we were still sitting there trying to start the friggin thing. I guess compared to my Flintstones mobile, the BMW we got was a little high tech. Every combination of pressing the button that said "Push to start" was tried...many times. Eventually we summoned help and found that you have to have a foot on the brake in order for the engine to start. Mindy was convinced it was the lack of a seatbelt that was the issue.
So we drive to Heidelberg listening to 80's pop on the radio and trying to figure out how to work the navagation system. Fortunately, Mindy managed to get it going and we got to the hotel in one piece.
Up till now, everyone we had encountered spoke perfect English. My plan of approaching everyone and asking them "Sprechen Sie Englisch" and hoping for a "Yes" was successful. This was until we left the hotel and tried to find a restaurant. Now everyone in Heidelberg seemed to be flying past us on bicycles and those we found to be walking spoke absolutely no English. We were even asked by a complete stranger for directions (I think) and she kept on talking even though we clearly had no idea what the hell she was talking about. The only way I figured I could shut her up was to throw back my favourite "Sprechen Sie Englisch". At this point she left us alone.
With the help of 20 year old high school German and a phrase book, we managed to successfully order drinks, dinner, coffee and dessert...so I suppose we did OK. Tomorrow it will be Mindy and the kids with the phrase book taking on the city as I will be at work.
More later as we recover from jet lag and actually do something.
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