Willkommen!!!

"All's well that ends well" - what started as a delayed flight from AZO to MSP ended in a business upgrade from Frankfurt to DTW. The time in between was wonderful - we arrived in Frankfurt on a Good Friday and discovered that most of the public places including the restaurants are closed. By now, this timing really sounds familiar - Chinese New Year in Hongkong, Yom Kippur in Israel, Christmas day in Rome, and now, Easter weekend in Germany. The Sofitel receptionist suggested dinner at the Hauptbahnhof, the central station, which is just a few minutes walk away from the hotel. This is a small city by itself and the food shops were opened. Remembering that it was Good Friday, we had to turn our sights from the schnitzels and Schweinshaxe (pork hock) but feasted on smoked salmon and fried cod sandwiches. The Hauptbahnhof became our mall for the next couple of days.

A crown of Easter eggs, Rothenburg

The following morning, we took a train to Wursburg and Rothenburg and enjoyed the sights (especially the medieval walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber). Easter decorations are everywhere - painted eggs hanging from trees, miniature chicks and rabbits along windows, pansies and primroses in flower boxes. It was beautiful. I also got a few shopping done - three pairs of Birkenstock Walking World for only 9 Euros each and two pairs of shoes for Nathan. Germany is a shoe-haven for Josef Siebels, ECCO, in addition to Birks. (Too bad stores were closed up to Easter Monday but we are already planning our trip back.) We dined in a local restaurant in Wursburg, sampled the pork roast and local wine, then took the last ICE (bullet train) back to Frankfurt.

Frankfurt reminded me of Minneapolis - a great blend of new and old. The skylines, the sculptures (notice the similarity of this Tie with the Spoon Bridge)- they also have an Eat Street! Cherries, dogwoods, magnolias, daffodils, forsythias and pansies were all blooming.

A huge tie, Frankfurt

On the steps of the Alte Opera, Frankfurt

A cyclist offered to take this picture in front of the Alte Opera which was renovated and now the site for art and cultural performances.

Rathaus (Townhall), Frankfurt

Modern architecture and wonderful historical landmarks blend in Frankfurt. Here is Ed at the Romerberg. The Gothic houses behind, the Rathaus, is Frankfurt's most famous landmark.

Wow!!! We were gone for four days and were pleasantly surprised with the progress in our house. The windows are up and the roof is ready for the shingles. The utilities are being set up and the soil around the house is being levelled. This is really a great experience for Ed and me.