German Tales2. Heidelberg
Tue Sep 12 2006

Alice came to a fork in the road. "Which road do I take?" she asked.
"Where do you want to go?" responded the Cheshire cat.
"I don't know," Alice answered.
"Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter." 

It’s been a while… 

I’ve been thinking…There is no point of discovering something new if you don’t share it...Earlier this month I’ve been to Germany for a week. So I’m going to let my memory to revisit all these places again. You’re invited to join, if you wish. I've also decided to be pedantic and backdate these entries as well. Time has absolutely no meaning in sharing and will make no difference whether I'll write today about what happenned yesterday, don't you think? In the end of a day Time is only a means of travelling across the mountains and oceans... This time we would travel to the Baden-Württemberg – the district in South-West Germany. 

just a map of a place where I'll take you


It was a pleasure trip for me, although in reality I’ve accompanied my husband to his business conference. We’ve spent 7 days there and managed to see 6 various places around the actual city of the event – Heidelberg. Do you know about Heidelberg? I’m quite sure, most of you didn’t even know that it exists…myself including: I knew nothing about Heidelberg until I’ve actually, came there. It is not a huge city at all. Nice and somewhat cozy and has got a sweet berry taste in his name – Heidelberg is an adaptation of Heidelbeerenberg, which means Huckleberry Mountain. The city lies on the river Neckar and has no lack in scenic charm for both his medieval streets and gorgeous landscape around it. 

The most famous feature of Heidelberg would be the oldest in Germany University. (as old as from around 1380s) Of course, I bought my favorite travel book before the trip, but sometimes it happens that you forget things in the hotel rooms…must be that “getting old” thing…hmmmm…anyway, that day we walked around Heidelberg totally unarmed with any sort of reference material to the places we’ve been visiting. Perhaps, that was a good thing. The discovery is more exciting when you don’t know what to expect and where to find it.
The most prominent thing about Heidelberg – it is a city where the locals and the tourists are the same species. I mean – sometimes you’d come to some city and feel yourself a stranger there. You’d be looked at with the meaningful glance, you’d be served in the local shops with the deliberate smile…you know what I mean – when you’d walk along the street and everybody know you are not local. This doesn’t happen in Heidelberg. There is absolutely no difference between people that share this space. A very tourist-friendly little city. And a very beautiful too. What was interesting about it, that it is impossible to recommend any of its wonders in particular. Like – a particular museum or street, or square, or castle. All of those were in perfect harmony with the whole picture, none was “particular outstanding from the others”. Equally fascinating, I’d say. When I think of Heidelberg, I see the image of the whole city, not of any single part of it. 

the post card view of the city
and more to come...

3 Comments
  • From:
    Pragmatist (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Sep 26 2006
    I have been aware of the existence of Heidelberg, but not of the particulars. And certainly not aware of the meaning of the name. I love huckleberries!

    The picture you posted shows a beautiful city, and the description of the people made me smile. Sometimes even our own people aren't all that welcoming.

    Shalom
  • From:
    Razzenne (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Sep 26 2006
    beautiful lana this is beautiful poetry about time
    eternal memories can give you space to breathe even in the most suffocating circumstances

    wow the university is as old as that 1380
    that is so romantic

    we had some gorgeous old brick buildings only a hundred years old on my university campus and they make me feel so nostalgic but to study in a building that stems back to 1380 wow that would be a sacred experience

    sadly are old brick buildings on campus with their creeping vines are being replaced at a steady pace
    progress?
  • From:
    Dreamerbooks2003 (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Sep 28 2006
    luv this pix too.. I have heard of Heidelberg, but not sure where or when...
    Could be Zurich/Heinikein Cup is what I'm thinking of