An Amazing Day in Frankfurt

I played hooky today so Dave and I could enjoy the city without two kids clamoring for food, rides, toys, and our attention.  I wanted to experience "Frankfurt on Foot" this summer to set the stage for our time here, and this day seemed the perfect opportunity.  The four hour walk runs 365 days a year, rain, snow, or shine, at 10:30 starting from the center point of the original city.  US ex-pats started the company a decade ago, and for only 12 euro, guide people through over two thousand years of history.   We loved every minute of it.  Our tour guide, David explained why the Germans can only tell two jokes while also expounding on eighteenth century coronations that occurred in the Dom, Frankfurt's famous cathedral.  He reviewed significant events that affected the city such as Charlemagne crossing the Maine River - an event that caused him to call the city Frankfurt and showed us the darker side of German history such as the original walls of the Jewish ghetto. We strolled through areas created during Roman times, gaped at 1980's architecture, and savored a sandwich at the kleinmarkethalle.   

I decided to enjoy the tour without my camera, so when everyone comes to visit, they can see for themselves.

Starting Kindergarten

Five and a half years ago our lives changed dramatically and permanently.  Emily came singing into the world and has not stopped. (I mean really, the Germans stare as she belts out "firework" like Katie Parry on the bus.)   Although she started daycare at only a few months old, watching her climb on a giant Mercedes bus to go to her first day of kindergarten felt like sending her off to college.

To new beginnings.....

Bad bad

Frankfurt has six indoor and seven outdoor pools, most of them known as "bad" which translates to bath in German.  These pools include long winding water slides, wide water slides, and wave pools.  The indoor pools also have saunas and steam rooms.    Many Germans believe in the healing power of these spas.

Two weeks ago, we tried an indoor pool.  We arrived at seven for a short pre bedtime swim and expected to pay 8 euro for the family.  The 32 euro price tag surprised us.  We tried to bribe the kids with promises of ice cream, but after four weeks without a pool visit, they insisted on a swim.  Besides the teenagers who seemed to require hotel rooms and the naked people walking around the coed locker room, the bad felt like an upscale indoor pool from home.  We left feeling refreshed.

After a weekend of 95 degree weather and no A/C, we decided to try an outdoor pool.  We picked one with a 118 meter water slide, two extra wide slides, and a wild water course for 8 euro for the family. We arrived to find a crazy parking lot with tiny European cars parked all over the place.  Our mini van felt like a mac truck weaving through close knit match box cars.  After standing in line in the heat (did I mention it is hot and we have no A/C) for 20 min, a German speaking life guard starts speaking animatedly to us. "Nein kinder" in this line.  Since the pool lacked a sign to explain this rule, we refused to switch lines.  When we finally reached the pool, we were surprised once again. The number of people reminded us of Disney on steroids.  We walked into 40 degree water and could barely move without hitting someone.  The family closest to us played by holding their kids' heads under water.  Emily wondered out loud if the police would think that behaviour was okay.  Thirty minutes later, the kids were as eager to leave as we were.

We will definitely try another bad - but maybe paying 32 euro is not such a bad idea.

Trams, Ski Lifts, and Boats

Last Sunday, we ventured to Rudesheim, a small winemaking town on the Rhine river.  For our first day trip, we sought a close destination - a 40 minute drive from Frankfurt.  Although the town boasts a tram and a river boat ride, Google lacked directions to either attraction.  We relied on our GPS and instincts to guide us.  We arrived, found a parking lot - Dave squeezed the mini-van into the tiny European space - and figured out the German parking meters.  We left the lot hoping to run into a tram.

We quickly found the TI - the tourist information place where guides point out the best sites to visit and provide brochures for the town.  I had read about these shops in Rick Steve's books and apparently, almost every town has one.   Our guide sold us tickets for a tram ride up the mountain side, followed by a ski lift down to the next town, and finally a boat ride back to Rudisheim.

We sat by the river at a cafe and enjoyed amazing cappuccino and chocolate croissants before heading to the tram.  The whole scene felt surreal.

I lack the skills to capture the breathtaking views.

Owen wanted to know when we could pick the grapes.

A two hour walk and a visit to castle ruins led us to the ski lift.  As we waited in line, Dave and I wondered how the 40lb double stroller would make it down the mountain.  Once we reached the front, we wondered how WE would make it down the mountain.  The lift seat consisted of a bench with no straps.  I envisioned Emily and Owen sliding right off the chair.  Every time Owen turned around to wave at Emily and I,  I said a prayer.

We ended the day with ice cream sundays in the boat, and a few pictures of Emily's new German hairdo. 

Weekend Afternoons

Like typical Germans, on Sunday afternoon we took the bus to a Strassenfest, a street party.  Sponsored by local government or business, these festivals spread over several blocks and feature food, drink, games, and trinket boothes. I had seen the colorful banners with children announcing "Frankfurter Opernspiele" so I assumed this festival would be kid focused.  We grabbed our umbrellas and headed to the Alte Oper, the Strassenfest location.

Picture Rehoboth's Funland rides dropped in front of the Capitol. They set the rides up next to the Alte Opera, a concert hall built in 1880, bombed in 1944 and later rebuilt. We learned a different person runs each set of rides after we bought 10 euro worth of tickets that were only good for three rides.  Owen and Emily jumped onto the bikes before the ride had even stopped.  It started raining, but we are learning to not let a few drops deter our fun.

The fair offered a mix of rides and art stations.  The kids painted huge canvases that we could take home.

Owen and Emily loved this slide where they went down in a carton.  Each kid then carried her carton back up to give it to the next person in line.  This ride provided an opprtunity to improve my listening skills as the parents spoke German around me.

We sat through a rainstorm, and enjoyed a bratworst and crepes with nutella.

After the storm passed, we walked down to the Main River and encountered a second street festival.  This one had huge rides, including a ferriswheel and several rollercoasters.  Owen refused the ferriswheel so Emily rode twice - once with each of us.  We finished the day passing through an Italian fair filled with mouth watering aromas.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Congratulations Owen

We spent Saturday organizing our new apartment.  Our car arrived on Friday so Saturday morning we ventured to Ikea.  The ten minute drive took more like thirty since we missed the exit.  The navigation system pronounces the German exits with a slight British accent.  Now we know that "ausfahrt" means exit.

After dinner, we took the u-bahn to Eis Fontella to celebrate Owen.  He said no more diapers in Germany, and he meant it.

Down the block from Eis Fontella, Frankfurt's own "occupy wall street movement" resides under the big the euro sign.

I read that most "protesters" focus less on the movement, and instead just want to live in the city park.

Hahnchen und Bier

Friday night our neighbors who are also thirtysomethings invited us to a neighborhood restaurant called the Chicken House (Hahnchen is chicken in German).  The restaurant resembled a traditional German biergarten.  The outside seating allowed us to enjoy the California like weather (no humidity, perfect temperature).  The playground allowed us to enjoy the conversation and food.

Neighbors raved about the deep-fried chicken.  I could eat the skin all day.  The waitress made fun of Dave's "girly beer" due to its small size.  (Chauvinistic language exists everywhere.)

Owen got so excited when he saw the beer as he thought it was apple-juice.

The waitress brought us free shots to end the night.  Apparently, you are suppose to put the cap on your nose as you take the shot.