Blogs from Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, Europe
April 20th 2012
Hello all, It has been too long since my last entry but some recent thoughts have prompted an entry. Why does it always come back around to sensations... It seems like the answer to everything. Go ahead think of a question that doesn't boil down to sensations. Why did I do this? Why did I act like that? Why did I think, experience, attempt, acquire, act, or react. If you examine yourself close enough I would imagine that you might find as I have that you did such thing for a sensation, either one that you were experiencing at that moment or one that you hoped to acquire thru said action. As babies we all spend the first few years of our lives learning the lessons of sensation... and reacting to them. In most cases we ... read more
Chapter 4 - DAY 3 - Amsterdam to Heildelberg
Published: September 11th 2011Europe » Germany » Baden-Württemberg » Heidelberg
September 9th 2011
TRAVEL DAY – WITH EXTRAS Today was mainly a travel day to get us from northern Europe closer to the main part of our tour, it wasn’t a day wasted though as our trip to Heidelberg included an hour and a half boat cruise down the Rhine River. We left Amsterdam early and headed for the Dutch/German border; again we passed through some of the WW2 battlefields, including the area of the ‘Bridge to Far’. Before we knew it we were in Deutschland! We stopped for lunch at the pretty Rhine side village of Boppard. I think I’m going to like Germany – there two favourite food groups are Beer and Sausage –HEAVEN! We had a bratwurst (sausage) for lunch – Jeanette tried a bit of German –not too successful but the shop assistance was rather ... read more
Oh, Heidelberg! how I loathe thee...
Published: September 23rd 2011Europe » Germany » Baden-Württemberg » Heidelberg
September 6th 2011
What do I want? What will make me happy? Nothing, nothing, nothing Nothing! Hüsker Dü Heidelberg has something to offer for everyone: If you're a Chinese tourist, you don't have to go out of your way to experience the town's gorgeous two sights. Just stay in line, follow the group and listen to the tour guide's elaborate explanations. Try to take at least 700 photos in two hours. Locals are just there for decorative purposes, so stare and point at the ones that are either very tall or very hairy and shove your oversized lens in their faces. When the guide recommends a certain type of chocolate, you better buy lots to give him or her some face. To wrap up the visit, join the group at the town's best Chinese restaurant, where the owner will ... read more
June 19th 2011
With a few days to spare before we have to hand our car back, we have decided to make a weekend of it in Heidelberg. So a few hours from Trier we make our way to this romantically impressive University City. The University was established in 1386 and is the oldest University In Germany. Located on the banks of the Neckar River, in the south west of Germany and the western gateway to the “Black Forest”, Heidelberg is a world class tourist destination and a must see for anyone visiting Germany. Despite the fact that the US has had a military base, located near here, since 1951 does not distract from the grace of this city. We have booked into an Irish Pub, The Dubliner, right in the centre of the old city. Spectacular night views ... read more
April 2nd 2011
Mom and I went to the zoo today and it was so much fun. Many of the animal habitats are natural looking and feeling. We first found this bird area, it was all water birds like sea gulls and funny water birds with long legs, but they were small birds. Then we found a duck pond, and a large eagle type of bird. After we left there we walked around and found so many amazing animals. A shrew like rodent in the "Africa house" that was all by himself because the zebras and everyone else were out in front of the building not in their cages. He had a funky nose but he was so cute. We saw the zebras out in the larger area, mom did zebra-a-logs, because one zebra was leaning his head on ... read more
March 13th 2011
CHARMING HEIDELBERG. A popular song says: "Ich hab' mein Herz in Heidelberg verloren!" Translated that means: "I have lost my heart in Heidelberg!" That certainly is true for me. Heidelberg has plenty of romantic appeal. There is the Altstadt - the oldest part of the city - with its narrow streets, some of which still sport the cobble stones over which countless horse-drawn carriages rattled in days gone by. Then there is the majestic Heidelberg Castle ruin looking down on the city, its ivy covered walls reminiscent of a glorious past. Part of the scene is the Old Bridge across the Neckar River, for many centuries the only easy access to the city from the north because it was the only bridge across the river for many kilometers up and downstream. One should not forget the ... read more
December 26th 2010
So, christmas has come and past. I think I slept most of it. For dinner in my hotel room I had a Tombstone pizza and ate pineapple out of the container. The cleaning lady left a small cookie gift bag in my room when she cleaned. It was the only gift I receive this year, but it was worth it. It occured to me that was the price for coming to Germany. I could have stayed in the states longer. I could have had Christmas at home but if I had the army would have canceled my orders and I wouldn't be in Germany at all (maybe ever). So, that's the price I paid. It was totally worth it. We went snow boarding today. We is the 30people thy signed up for the MWR trip and ... read more
October 15th 2010
Although this blog post will be discussing Heidelberg and its own castle, I thought it was fitting to mention that I am currently on a train to the Rhine region to view more castles. In addition, it seems quite appropriate coming off of the last posting on the language barrier and travel problems, that my original train that I had booked a reservation for was canceled for its first stretch, and although they must have announced it over the loudspeaker system, I was only able to understand when one of the station workers came up and told me. I have simply had to change my perspective to enjoy the adventure in it all. Alright, I apologize for the tangent, back to the main theme of the post. In my next couple of days in Heidelberg ... read more
October 13th 2010
My first (of many) revelations for this trip: there is something so very satisfying about successfully going beyond your comfort zone. I suppose that this needs a bit of explaining. Before undertaking this trip, I was aware that there was no chance it would go on without hitting a snag, but it is funny how much I underestimated the challenge of navigating a language barrier. Upon entering Germany, I faced the full realization of how the ability to communicate drives so much of our lives. From ordering food, to small talk with store clerks, to figuring out how you are going to get where you need to be; language is a vital tool. Therefore, I was hit with a classic case of culture shock when leaving the cushy world of the airport and hitting the ... read more
October 1st 2010
The wheels of my roll-bag made an awful clatter on the paving stones, so I stepped out into the street and walked on, into the quiet neighborhood. It felt like I could walk for blocks without a car challenging me. I passed a cemetery, ringed with evergreens, roses, and intensely green moss. A crow cawed. A teenage girl walked past in black jeans and a skull t-shirt. She was trying hard to look disaffected, but not quite pulling it off—her hair was too well-groomed, her skin too smooth. Suburban. She glanced at me, at my frizzy hair, nose ring, and black leather jacket, but was too young to know that I could never quite pull it off either. My rucksack was making my back sweat as the sun tried to come out from behind a high ... read more
