We arrived in Heidelberg on Tuesday, March 31, and were met at the station by our friend Patrick. Alan and I met Patrick while hiking in New Zealand about 4 months ago, and he kindly offered to show us around Heidelberg. To start things off, Patrick had made borscht, the Russian-style soup, for us for dinner. It was delicious! Then we all boarded a train for the Old Town, and walked down the Longest Pedestrian Street in the World. So check that off the list. After seeing several churches, University buildings, pubs that would be packed if the students were in town, etc., we were taken to a microbrewery to taste their beers. We shared a table with a family from Indianapolis, and enjoyed talking with them.
It so happens that this microbrewery makes the World's Strongest Beer, at 33% ABV. Alan and I gave it a taste, but I was not a fan.
The next morning, after enjoying a tasty omelette filled with fresh vegetables like carrots (a la Patrick), we walked down the World's Longest Pedestrian Street, this time able to peak inside the churches and university buildings, as they were open for the day. We made our way up to the castle and each listened to an audio tour while we walked the grounds.
At the castle we were treated to another record, the World's Largest Wine Cask.
If you think that was it, think again. Known to have been filled (and emptied, I presume) four times.
After lunch we visited the old Student Prison, used from about 1714-1912. When University students commited an offence they would be kept here, leaving messages on the wall. It became something of a rite of passage, and one packed one's paintbrushes before one tossed a rock through the police office window.
In the afternoon, we walked on the Philosopher's Way, which winds up the hill across the river from the Old Town. Apparently many poets and thinkers have been inspired by the views of the castle and the Old Town, and written verse about this place (including Mark Twain). We might have kept walking, occasionally seeing the monuments to philosophers with a quote, but it started snowing, so we headed back.
Patrick took us to dinner at a traditional German beer hall, also a brewery, where we each tried the dunkel.
On Thursday, Patrick made us oatmeal for breakfast, with bananas and cinnamon. Then, he drove us to his home town, Bruschal to see the palace there. This means that we were taken on the autobahn. The Bruschal Palace was reduced to ruin during WWII bombing, and has since been restored. Some of the rooms are presented as they would have been, with stunning ceilings, while others are used as museum exhibits on history or on musical instruments.
Thanks, Patrick, for being such a wonderful host! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
It so happens that this microbrewery makes the World's Strongest Beer, at 33% ABV. Alan and I gave it a taste, but I was not a fan.
The next morning, after enjoying a tasty omelette filled with fresh vegetables like carrots (a la Patrick), we walked down the World's Longest Pedestrian Street, this time able to peak inside the churches and university buildings, as they were open for the day. We made our way up to the castle and each listened to an audio tour while we walked the grounds.
If you think that was it, think again. Known to have been filled (and emptied, I presume) four times.
After lunch we visited the old Student Prison, used from about 1714-1912. When University students commited an offence they would be kept here, leaving messages on the wall. It became something of a rite of passage, and one packed one's paintbrushes before one tossed a rock through the police office window.
In the afternoon, we walked on the Philosopher's Way, which winds up the hill across the river from the Old Town. Apparently many poets and thinkers have been inspired by the views of the castle and the Old Town, and written verse about this place (including Mark Twain). We might have kept walking, occasionally seeing the monuments to philosophers with a quote, but it started snowing, so we headed back.
Patrick took us to dinner at a traditional German beer hall, also a brewery, where we each tried the dunkel.
Thanks, Patrick, for being such a wonderful host! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
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