If I repeat myself its only because I can't get my head around the iPad which insists on eating my words.But that's my only way go post so due apologies.
tea gardens
Friday, September 13, 2013
Nice experiences in Frankfurt part two
Eating cabbage soup thanks to it being the most popular.We wander around town and go to places with the largest customer base,then we ask a few suits what they are eating,and order the same.This we find is the best way to save money and get the right things to eat.
We decide our breakfast options twenty days before we plan to have breakfast.Getting organized the German way.
No frisking at the airport,everything is just scanned.
Immigration officer who reminds me of nazi all Prussian blue eyes and blond hair,he sends a shiver down my spine but is not unfriendly.My imagination works over time when in Germany.
Browsing around duty free and we are offered premium cognac. What more can one ask for ?.The liquid gold warms our insides as it makes its smooth transition from mouth to stomach.
Meeting nick the friendly Australian who gave us tips on traveling in Frankfurt.He had been there a few days ahead and was glad to meet some one who spoke English so there we were exchanging notes
The local Germans who helped us with the stations and directions without being asked.
Meeting jayanth the nine year old passenger who was traveling alone to Canada.We exchange smiles but an hour into the end of our flight he discovers that the husband in Telugu and that they share a home town.Then he makes up for list time and talks non stop giving us his entire life ,all of nine years.His wish to have a sibling and how his parents think he is more than enough as far as they are concerned.He recognized all the cars in the auto magazine and tells us which ones are bis favorite.
Solar powers scooters,men and woman in suits riding bicycles to work,even woman in skirts and high heels.
People in wheel chairs not dependent on anyone thanks to fancy powered chairs that they can drive around the city with ease,get into the metro negotiate stairs and generally live and work like the rest of us
Paying three euros for water when beer is the same price,we quickly switch to beer.
Garden shops which store so much variety and all things one may need for a garden that they can get the most die hard non gardening person to garden.
Desperately seeking vegetables other than the potato in its many avatars.
Sausages and meats in such mind boggling variety that its an insult to call myself a non vegetarian.I obviously no nothing when it comes to meat.Plenty to learn
Frankfurt airport has a flight every one and a half minutes to every corner of the world and not once in even an hour did we hear of a flight being delayed due to a teaching al fault or because an incoming flight was delayed.....in Indian as we left we heard of at least three flights delayed for the above reasons.How do they do it?
Restrooms that are clean and fragrant despite begin dry.....in contrast I had to hold my breath while using the toilets
We decide our breakfast options twenty days before we plan to have breakfast.Getting organized the German way.
No frisking at the airport,everything is just scanned.
Immigration officer who reminds me of nazi all Prussian blue eyes and blond hair,he sends a shiver down my spine but is not unfriendly.My imagination works over time when in Germany.
Browsing around duty free and we are offered premium cognac. What more can one ask for ?.The liquid gold warms our insides as it makes its smooth transition from mouth to stomach.
Meeting nick the friendly Australian who gave us tips on traveling in Frankfurt.He had been there a few days ahead and was glad to meet some one who spoke English so there we were exchanging notes
The local Germans who helped us with the stations and directions without being asked.
Meeting jayanth the nine year old passenger who was traveling alone to Canada.We exchange smiles but an hour into the end of our flight he discovers that the husband in Telugu and that they share a home town.Then he makes up for list time and talks non stop giving us his entire life ,all of nine years.His wish to have a sibling and how his parents think he is more than enough as far as they are concerned.He recognized all the cars in the auto magazine and tells us which ones are bis favorite.
Solar powers scooters,men and woman in suits riding bicycles to work,even woman in skirts and high heels.
People in wheel chairs not dependent on anyone thanks to fancy powered chairs that they can drive around the city with ease,get into the metro negotiate stairs and generally live and work like the rest of us
Paying three euros for water when beer is the same price,we quickly switch to beer.
Garden shops which store so much variety and all things one may need for a garden that they can get the most die hard non gardening person to garden.
Desperately seeking vegetables other than the potato in its many avatars.
Sausages and meats in such mind boggling variety that its an insult to call myself a non vegetarian.I obviously no nothing when it comes to meat.Plenty to learn
Frankfurt airport has a flight every one and a half minutes to every corner of the world and not once in even an hour did we hear of a flight being delayed due to a teaching al fault or because an incoming flight was delayed.....in Indian as we left we heard of at least three flights delayed for the above reasons.How do they do it?
Restrooms that are clean and fragrant despite begin dry.....in contrast I had to hold my breath while using the toilets
Nice experiences in Frankfurt
Arrive in Frankfurt for a ten hour transit before we catch our connecting flight so we decide to explore the city.In the many hours we spent on flight ,in the airport and in the city there were some interesting experiences which the husband and I thought we must record.
It was the first time we had seen a child on a leash .Similar to leading a dog this kid was all over the place but his father had him on a tight leash literally.
A lady in a wheel chair had her little dog in her handbag.Only his head was out and he was a real small dog,she was trying to get him a ticket on a flight.The dog was being allowed to become cabin baggage.
The pet check in at Frankfurt airport.New to us from a country where animals are not allowed in any public place.
Out shopping in the city were a mother an daughter .The mother was around eighty and was finding it difficult to walk,her hand shook every time she needed to open her handbag,but she was well dressed and her daughter held her arm and conducted her across the streets and into shops.We had once agin had our faith in human goodness reinforced.
Mickey Mouse in Frankfurt?.Yes like in most countries here was a man dressed in a costume (looked uncomfortable and hot but it being a cool day it was fine) and entertaining kids and adults alike for a few photo ops and a few pennies.Poor man had to ask for the pennies to drop.Not very different from people all over the world.
Not knowing the language we resort to asking all manner of people to guid us.We watch while office goers all seem to tuck into a hearty soup but having no idea what it is we ask a few suits what they are eating.Its a pickled cabbage soup and while I am not sure how that will taste we go by popular demand and order it.Fantastic.
We read the menu on a small cafe in the airport and have already decided what we want for breakfast twenty days from now.Getting organized the German way.
Surprised that there is no frisking at the airport like we are used to back home.Its all something sailing from now on.When will we learn to secure our airports without all the unnecessary checking that goes on?
The immigration officer who stamped our passports was all blue eyes and blond hair and cold nazi looks.We knew we had entered Germany and i think back to those world war years.
We are browsing through duty free and this shop assistant walks up to us asking if we would like a shot of cognac.In surprise we take it and its a super surprise as the golden liquid slips down our throat
Standing on the platform to take the metro to city central we try in vain to understand the German direction when out of the blue comes a young Australian who has heard us speaking English and we slip into conversation.Nick is a young friendly chap who is half way across the world exploring on his own.He gives us a few tips he's picked up on his travels and we exchange notes.
Local Germans who help us find our trains without us asking for help
Meeting Jayant a nine year old passenger on his way to Canada and traveling alone.On the ten hour flight he and I smile at each other but don't talk.The with one hour left to end the flight the husband talks to some kid in Telugu and the little boy is all animated.He launches into his life story and won't stop.We discover that he s from the same town as the husbands parents,they seem to know all the popular haunts in that city
It was the first time we had seen a child on a leash .Similar to leading a dog this kid was all over the place but his father had him on a tight leash literally.
A lady in a wheel chair had her little dog in her handbag.Only his head was out and he was a real small dog,she was trying to get him a ticket on a flight.The dog was being allowed to become cabin baggage.
The pet check in at Frankfurt airport.New to us from a country where animals are not allowed in any public place.
Out shopping in the city were a mother an daughter .The mother was around eighty and was finding it difficult to walk,her hand shook every time she needed to open her handbag,but she was well dressed and her daughter held her arm and conducted her across the streets and into shops.We had once agin had our faith in human goodness reinforced.
Mickey Mouse in Frankfurt?.Yes like in most countries here was a man dressed in a costume (looked uncomfortable and hot but it being a cool day it was fine) and entertaining kids and adults alike for a few photo ops and a few pennies.Poor man had to ask for the pennies to drop.Not very different from people all over the world.
Not knowing the language we resort to asking all manner of people to guid us.We watch while office goers all seem to tuck into a hearty soup but having no idea what it is we ask a few suits what they are eating.Its a pickled cabbage soup and while I am not sure how that will taste we go by popular demand and order it.Fantastic.
We read the menu on a small cafe in the airport and have already decided what we want for breakfast twenty days from now.Getting organized the German way.
Surprised that there is no frisking at the airport like we are used to back home.Its all something sailing from now on.When will we learn to secure our airports without all the unnecessary checking that goes on?
The immigration officer who stamped our passports was all blue eyes and blond hair and cold nazi looks.We knew we had entered Germany and i think back to those world war years.
We are browsing through duty free and this shop assistant walks up to us asking if we would like a shot of cognac.In surprise we take it and its a super surprise as the golden liquid slips down our throat
Standing on the platform to take the metro to city central we try in vain to understand the German direction when out of the blue comes a young Australian who has heard us speaking English and we slip into conversation.Nick is a young friendly chap who is half way across the world exploring on his own.He gives us a few tips he's picked up on his travels and we exchange notes.
Local Germans who help us find our trains without us asking for help
Meeting Jayant a nine year old passenger on his way to Canada and traveling alone.On the ten hour flight he and I smile at each other but don't talk.The with one hour left to end the flight the husband talks to some kid in Telugu and the little boy is all animated.He launches into his life story and won't stop.We discover that he s from the same town as the husbands parents,they seem to know all the popular haunts in that city
A walk around town
It's the fourth day of our holiday and having checked out the local markets for salad and fruit we head off to the railway station to check on our tickets for the next leg of our journey.
From the house we walk up cobbled stone roads ,past a small stream across the local river.On either side there are gardens filled with roses in a riot of color pink,red and a strange mix of orange and pink.They hang in clumps and are fragrant.We pass along and walk down a tunnel encountering a musician on the way.He is playing "Lara's theam" on a violin .Its customary to drop a few coins so we do so and head out of the tunnel and are suddenly out there amount green lawns a large lake with ducks floating on them.Huge trees dot the lawns on either side and people cycle on their way to wherever it is their are going.Mothers with children in prams amble along and dogs follow their masters on their walks.Its all peaceful and serene and one wonders how one country can alive this way while we are faced with crowds,pollution and clutter.
We reach the train station and while we sort out our tickets,another customer comes in with his dog.Animals have access into public transport and places.While he goes in the dog is told to sit outside which he does with no fuss at all.Even children in our country wouldn't be so well behaved.
Onward then across a scenic rout around town,we watch swans glide up and down river,dipping their long stately necks into the water to catch a fish or two,ducks who steer clear of the swans but manage to go their own ways.The river is muddy thanks to the rain but the banks are full of weeping willows how's branches are heavy with rain and they droop even further into the water.Uo on the bridge we are busy taking photographs of this Pastoral scene .Next stop to the Italian shop to check out cheese and sausages.We find cheese but not the sausages and continue on our way.All this while we see very few cars.Everyone is walking its a perfect way to get some exercise without consciously doing so.
All this walking has made us hungry s it's lunch time.We opt to eat local food but since we are clueless we leave it to our friend to choose.As we wait for our food we watch the world go by.Our friends neighbor has just got married and we watch them go by.Living in the same building one would not have imagined there was a marriage party on.Hardly any guests.This is a small party like most marriages in Germany.Around ten people make up the marriage party and they walk past the square in their wedding finery ,no fancy cars and no fanfare.So different from the big fat Indian wedding .
The temperature has dipped suddenly and there is a nip in the air but nano thing stops people from wandering around checking out small time retailers selling all manner on items,from food to crafts.The work culture is very different here.People decide their work times so flextime while it may be a novelty in India,is common practice here, so at any given point in time people can be around and they are working people.
Having got our cultural lesson for the day we head back home to relax and catch up on conversation.
From the house we walk up cobbled stone roads ,past a small stream across the local river.On either side there are gardens filled with roses in a riot of color pink,red and a strange mix of orange and pink.They hang in clumps and are fragrant.We pass along and walk down a tunnel encountering a musician on the way.He is playing "Lara's theam" on a violin .Its customary to drop a few coins so we do so and head out of the tunnel and are suddenly out there amount green lawns a large lake with ducks floating on them.Huge trees dot the lawns on either side and people cycle on their way to wherever it is their are going.Mothers with children in prams amble along and dogs follow their masters on their walks.Its all peaceful and serene and one wonders how one country can alive this way while we are faced with crowds,pollution and clutter.
We reach the train station and while we sort out our tickets,another customer comes in with his dog.Animals have access into public transport and places.While he goes in the dog is told to sit outside which he does with no fuss at all.Even children in our country wouldn't be so well behaved.
Onward then across a scenic rout around town,we watch swans glide up and down river,dipping their long stately necks into the water to catch a fish or two,ducks who steer clear of the swans but manage to go their own ways.The river is muddy thanks to the rain but the banks are full of weeping willows how's branches are heavy with rain and they droop even further into the water.Uo on the bridge we are busy taking photographs of this Pastoral scene .Next stop to the Italian shop to check out cheese and sausages.We find cheese but not the sausages and continue on our way.All this while we see very few cars.Everyone is walking its a perfect way to get some exercise without consciously doing so.
All this walking has made us hungry s it's lunch time.We opt to eat local food but since we are clueless we leave it to our friend to choose.As we wait for our food we watch the world go by.Our friends neighbor has just got married and we watch them go by.Living in the same building one would not have imagined there was a marriage party on.Hardly any guests.This is a small party like most marriages in Germany.Around ten people make up the marriage party and they walk past the square in their wedding finery ,no fancy cars and no fanfare.So different from the big fat Indian wedding .
The temperature has dipped suddenly and there is a nip in the air but nano thing stops people from wandering around checking out small time retailers selling all manner on items,from food to crafts.The work culture is very different here.People decide their work times so flextime while it may be a novelty in India,is common practice here, so at any given point in time people can be around and they are working people.
Having got our cultural lesson for the day we head back home to relax and catch up on conversation.
The food and wine market
The Italians and the French have arrived in tubingen.From the morning the town has been buzzing with excitement.Stalls have been put up,stall owners are busy decorating their tents and long benches and tables are being laid out for the start of a wine,cheese and meat festival which is an annual event showcasing all produce from these countries.
By the time we arrive the place is full despite the rain.Every stall allows us to taste bits and bobs of all things available.Being a big cheese fan I am ready to sample everything but nothing prepares me for the variety of flavor that assaults my taste buds.I can taste wine,mushrooms,wild herbs,spices and sweet .Nothing prepares me for this.How does one buy anything in this place.Move over to the wine stall and we get some red wine without too much fuss thanks to our friends who are veterans of this festival.Sausage stall is next and I don't know where to start.I am given a choice of dried,smoked sausage with wild mushrooms herbs garlic and cheese.I try everything very happy that tasting is a done thing in this place.I eat a variety of hams,bacon and sausage and move on to olive oil.Now in India I have been using olive oil for years now but again the texture here is so different.To begin with the color is a typical olive green.Not too deep but more on green than yellow like the stuff we get back home.The taste us also different.Its tastes of fresh fields and meadows.It can be tasted like wine .The stall owner gives us some toast that is soaked in this oil and one taste of it and the husband is sold so one large bottle is going back home.
Out last stop is the cheese stall so we stop to taste some Parmesan cheese.The last time I bought some of this was from a supermarket and I thought it tasted fantastic but when I was giving a sample of this I realized why people rave so much of hand made far fresh farm cheese.The cheese is so sweet,it's almost sugary with just a hint of brine.We realize finally why this cheese is far more expensive than the supermarket variety and a small slice is bought.
We come home with a variety of cheeses and oils and its back to the market for dinner.I am ready to eat mussels or oysters but by the time we finish our wine the stall closed so we settle for pasta and some pizza.All of these flavors are new to us and we mull over the taste and eat to our hearts content.The walk back home is temperature of ten degrees is also a new experience and we come home happy to have got a taste of local life in a small town in Germany.It is one more experience in my file.
By the time we arrive the place is full despite the rain.Every stall allows us to taste bits and bobs of all things available.Being a big cheese fan I am ready to sample everything but nothing prepares me for the variety of flavor that assaults my taste buds.I can taste wine,mushrooms,wild herbs,spices and sweet .Nothing prepares me for this.How does one buy anything in this place.Move over to the wine stall and we get some red wine without too much fuss thanks to our friends who are veterans of this festival.Sausage stall is next and I don't know where to start.I am given a choice of dried,smoked sausage with wild mushrooms herbs garlic and cheese.I try everything very happy that tasting is a done thing in this place.I eat a variety of hams,bacon and sausage and move on to olive oil.Now in India I have been using olive oil for years now but again the texture here is so different.To begin with the color is a typical olive green.Not too deep but more on green than yellow like the stuff we get back home.The taste us also different.Its tastes of fresh fields and meadows.It can be tasted like wine .The stall owner gives us some toast that is soaked in this oil and one taste of it and the husband is sold so one large bottle is going back home.
Out last stop is the cheese stall so we stop to taste some Parmesan cheese.The last time I bought some of this was from a supermarket and I thought it tasted fantastic but when I was giving a sample of this I realized why people rave so much of hand made far fresh farm cheese.The cheese is so sweet,it's almost sugary with just a hint of brine.We realize finally why this cheese is far more expensive than the supermarket variety and a small slice is bought.
We come home with a variety of cheeses and oils and its back to the market for dinner.I am ready to eat mussels or oysters but by the time we finish our wine the stall closed so we settle for pasta and some pizza.All of these flavors are new to us and we mull over the taste and eat to our hearts content.The walk back home is temperature of ten degrees is also a new experience and we come home happy to have got a taste of local life in a small town in Germany.It is one more experience in my file.
country roads
A long drive is scheduled for today and it takes us through long winding country roads beautifully tarred and not a pot hole in sight.On either side the road are rolling greens and tall trees.The grass is trimmed and not a blade out of place.The only cars on the road are BMWs ,Audis and Mercedes's this is Germany after all and the speeds make me believe I am in a race track rather than a country road.
There are flower fields in the road sides and one can pick flowers of ones choice and pay for it depending on what you think it's worth.All based on trust and I think that in our country this would have meant that the poor flowers seller would be poor in no time at all.
We arrive for lunch at a Thai place and get some familiar noodles and rice all toned down to suit the bland German pallet
Our next stop is Ikea .Its our one port of call every visit just because the shop fascinates us.The displays on each floor are neat,practical and so inspiring.Add t that we can choose and write down codes then go down to the wear house
And pick what we want.The husband is very interested in finding stuff so he is off like a dog in a rabbit chase.We haven't bought a thing simply because this time around almost all the stuff is available Ina India but the experience of this shop is what we come for.
The rain lashes down and by German autumn standards it's a crappy day but for me the cold and rain is the best thing about the place.The sloping roofs of the houses with their dormer windows and wine curling around the front door are all awash with the rain.Almost every house has window boxes overflowing with flowers of every hue.Its a visual treat and the whole picture is a picture postcard.
Our drive back is equally eventful,diversions means we take the long way around and this is like a conducted tour around the country side.The colors are all different shades of green,red,and pink.Blue skies sometimes with dark clouds lends to atmosphere.I soak it all in a file it away for when I get back.
There are flower fields in the road sides and one can pick flowers of ones choice and pay for it depending on what you think it's worth.All based on trust and I think that in our country this would have meant that the poor flowers seller would be poor in no time at all.
We arrive for lunch at a Thai place and get some familiar noodles and rice all toned down to suit the bland German pallet
Our next stop is Ikea .Its our one port of call every visit just because the shop fascinates us.The displays on each floor are neat,practical and so inspiring.Add t that we can choose and write down codes then go down to the wear house
And pick what we want.The husband is very interested in finding stuff so he is off like a dog in a rabbit chase.We haven't bought a thing simply because this time around almost all the stuff is available Ina India but the experience of this shop is what we come for.
The rain lashes down and by German autumn standards it's a crappy day but for me the cold and rain is the best thing about the place.The sloping roofs of the houses with their dormer windows and wine curling around the front door are all awash with the rain.Almost every house has window boxes overflowing with flowers of every hue.Its a visual treat and the whole picture is a picture postcard.
Our drive back is equally eventful,diversions means we take the long way around and this is like a conducted tour around the country side.The colors are all different shades of green,red,and pink.Blue skies sometimes with dark clouds lends to atmosphere.I soak it all in a file it away for when I get back.
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