Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany (October 1-3, 2006)

Early Sunday morning, I arrived in Mannheim, Germany (in Baden-Wuerttemberg), on the night train from Copenhagen. My friend Frank, who I had met in August in Zurich, picked me up at the train station and took me to his parents’ house, where a nice German breakfast of rolls, meats and cheeses awaited me. Having not slept much on the train, I slept for a few hours before we headed to a town festival, much like an American town fair with rides, carnival games and stands selling goodies. Frank and I walked around the festival for a few hours with his friend Michael. Later that evening, we sat around the living room with his parents chatting, giving me an opportunity to practice my German.

On Monday, Frank and I walked around Mannheim. Even with the weather a little overcast, we had a nice stroll around town, having lunch on Paradeplatz and then strolling by the Wasserturm with its beautiful gardens and fountains. Monday evening, we rode a streetcar to the neighboring Heidelberg, where we met our friend Angelika. Although it was raining quite heavily by evening, we still enjoyed walking through the pedestrian zone (the longest in Germany) and hiking up to the castle, where there is a magnificent view of the Neckar River and town below.

Tuesday, October 3rd was a national holiday marking the reunification of Germany, so Frank, his parents and I spent the day relaxing, looking at photographs, telling stories, and chatting. There didn’t seem to be much point going out since stores were closed for the holiday and it rained the entire day. It was a nice way to force ourselves to relax and unwind.

On Wednesday, I travelled from Mannheim to Tours, France, southwest of Paris, where I will stay for a few days.

To see the complete photo journal for Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, visit http://www.AndreasOdyssey.shutterfly.com.