Hello Friends I’m finally posting a few pictures taken while sight seeing in Heidelberg. I’ve toured the Castle twice now and I’m certain I’ll give it a third visit before I leave. Most of the castle was built between 1400 and 1620. It is a ruin now. Some of it was destroyed in wars with France as the Germans and French battled over the city as well as by lightening. Inside you’ll find the Great Tun which, apparently, is the biggest wooden barrel in the world to ever be filled with wine. There are other buildings on the castle grounds which [View Full Entry]

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115km south west of Heidelberg is Strasbourg, located in the Alsatian region of France. It’s considered to be the capital or Europe and it’s where the European Parliament and Council of Europe meet. Upon arrival we headed straight for lunch at La Cloche A Fromage (“The Cheese Cover” or “The Cheese Bell” depending on how you translate it). Virtually everything on the menu contains cheese. I indulged in the Lentil Soup, a cheese place containing 7 cheeses and a soufflé containing munster and plums. Delicious! [View Full Entry]

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Transportation in Germany tends to be expensive and it seems as though everyone in Heidelberg has a bicycle. So why shouldn’t I? That’s right…I bought a new-to-me Peugeot. This French-made bike is a sweet ride. It’s got 5 speeds, a bell, a kickstand, lights, a basket and you peddle backwards to stop. The back-peddling is taking some getting used to. Hopefully I won’t have too many collisions while I get used to that. The bike has proven to be convenient transportation for getting around town and running errands. But today, it is my means of transport fo [View Full Entry]

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The German word for today is, Kartoffel. Now that I know what this word means I seem to be seeing it everywhere. Which makes sense since “Kartoffels” seem to be a very important part of the German diet and are prepared many different and delicious ways. Earlier this week was dinner in a town called Ladenburg. Only a few kilometers north-west of Heidelberg this town is spectacular. It was after dark when we arrived so I hope to go back one day during daylight. It has cobblestone streets, gingerbread houses and I’m told there are actual roman ruins there. We ate [View Full Entry]

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Since nothing is open on Sundays in Germany it’s a good time to take advantage of the activities available in the great outdoors. I decided to take a hike on the Philosophers Walk (Philosophenweg). Philosophers Walk It’s located on the opposite side of the Neckar River from the old town and consists of 12 or so hiking trails that weave around up and down the hillside. From the old part of town, cross the river, take your second right and it’s a steep uphill climb past the physics and astronomy department b [View Full Entry]

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Hello Again After my last post I had a lot of questions and a request for more pictures. So here they are. Yes, I have laundry. It's a combined washer/dryer unit (which I still haven't figured out how to use) right in my bathroom (yes...I have a bathroom too). [View Full Entry]

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Yes…I have arrived. Only 4 nights in Deutschland and I think I know which way is up. The first few days where a little rough as I adjusted to the time zone, a new city, a new country and a new office. And, yes, I have been a little lonely but I’m starting to feel comfortable. Since I did not go in to the office on my first day I spent the day wandering Heidelberg experimenting with how many times I could get lost and still find my way home. I have a few key landmarks and as long as I [View Full Entry]

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So I made it through security with minimal sniveling on the security people. One lady was very nice…the guys just pretended not to notice. ;-) Hopped the 15 minute flight to Montreal and now I sit in the lounge chatting with my friend, Gil, from home (Nova Scotia) whilst sharing a beer over the internet. Where were we before the internet?? I’m thankful for the distraction as I wait for the big flight to Frankfurt. It’s scheduled to be 7 hours 20 minutes. I hope I can sleep. [View Full Entry]

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1 hour until I leave for the airport. I managed to get it all in to 2 suitcases and a carry-on but I still think I'm taking too much. I'm exicited and nervous and on the verge of a minor meltdown but I'm sure I'll be ok once I'm at the airport and through security. [View Full Entry]

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