Saturday, December 4, 2010

Deutschland

Germany welcomed me with a cold rush of wind running down my neck as I stepped off the plane and headed to the metro. We were greeted by two of Carsten's old friends which was enough to fill anyone with warmth. Petra and Gero told me some history and fun facts about Frankfurt on the ride to their flat.  We warmed up and ate a little Stubenknecht (Little bread man from the bakery) before venturing out for the day.


Carsten and I roamed the streets of Frankfurt until my feet went numb (from the cold, not from walking). The first thing he had to do was eat currywurst (although it is typically from the Berlin area, he couldn't wait any longer). I stopped in a small bakery and ordered a sugar cookie, which he thought was hilarious because it's name was Amerikaner....so yes, I ate an American.  Once our stomaches were satisfied we walked around the Zeil area and went to the top of Zeil Gallery to overlook the city, then to Fressgasse street by the old opera, walked through Anlagenring park in search of the masses of rabbits, and ended the tour at the Eiserner Steg after strolling down the sidewalk of the Main river.  Since my fingers were beginning to go numb as well Carsten said he knew just the thing to warm me up! I couldn't go with him because he said he was taking me somewhere tomorrow and I wasn't allowed to see. So, I waited for him on the bridge. I watched as he crossed the street to a lighted area with booths and music, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise so I walked to the middle of the bridge and began taking pictures and enjoying the surroundings. Ten minutes later he came back with a steaming cup in his hand and said "Drink this! It'll warm you." Glüehwein, Hot Mulled Wine, is an acquired taste...but did in fact warm me up pretty quickly.


Dinner time had approached and we were taken to Zur Elenburg (Castle of Owls) a cute little restaurant hidden away down a cobble stoned street of the city. I ordered goose, but tasted a bit of all the different foods from everyone's plates. We drank Äppler (Apple wine) traditional to the Frankfurt area.