Frankfurt

I have finally mustered the strength (and found the time) to give a little update on my fantastic weekend in Frankfurt.

This adventure started off as an off-the-wall invitation from a very good friend of mine, who having raved about his home city for some time, suggested that I come over and take a look for myself.

And how true he was.

Frankfurt is a small city by most standards ( approx. 600,000 people) and one of the top five largest cities in Germany. Given its size, everything seems accessible; the airport is a short drive from the center, the financial center is a short walk from the (central) residential area, and the bar area (of which I have completely forgotten the location) seemed (in my drunken state) like a very short taxi ride from the central residential area!

The last time I was in Frankfurt, it had been a blurry 2 day stint with my fellow Masters students, visiting the Christmas Market and trying desperately to find a good bar to go to. This time could not have been more different. I enjoyed the city, walked along the leafy streets, guided by my expert hosts who found interesting stories to tell me along the way both about the history and their personal lives.

Frankfurt was almost entirely bombed during the Second World War, which had led to some frenetic rebuilding. The end result is an ecclectic mix of old and new architecture. On the plus side, the city is efficient, very US-like in that there is a downtown (financial district) area complete with high-rises and benefits from a very pleasant river next to the downtown district. On the negative side, with very little medieval infrastructure remaining and some of the buildings being built in the dreaded 1960-70s, the end result can be a little eye-sore.

But overall, I fell in love with the feel of the city. It was relaxing, strolling along the tree lined neighborhoods, walking past numerous coffee shops and restaurants that had outdoor tables and parasols!. It definetely felt European :) - I would say like France but more efficient and more polite!

I enjoyed doing the touristy thing, taking in the sights, going on the cable car ride where the price includes a bottle of cider and some pretzels (i mean how cool is that?). We were entertained by a young german bride-to-be (very Heidi like!) who's sole responsibility for the afternoon was to sell a number of (useless) items to complete strangers (us), so as to fund her hen night drinking session - and provide copious amounts of entertainment for her friends.

Most of all, I felt extremely lucky to be able to get a local's perspective of the city. My hosts introduced me to their family and friends who were all friendly and very welcoming. I mustered a few words of german (mainly "tschuss") , discovered the Russian version of Caipirinha, namely Caipirovska (the Killer drink if you ask me!) and stared down a 259m tower admiring the city from above. All that in the space of two days.

What more can one ask for ?

Nothing.