European cities that has a skyline

We got into Frankfurt after dark and headed straight for dinner at a very Thai restaurant (they had the whole place decorated as if you were in Thai jungle hut). The food was good though - I haven't seen any Thai restaurants in Budapest and this was perfect to satisfy my monthly craving for pad see iew.

We began exploring Frankfurt that night by walking to the Main River, which is only a five minute walk from Alexander and Claudia's apartment. There are several pedestrian bridges that cross the river, all of which are lit up in the evening. The downtown financial district is close to the Main River, so you can see all of the lights from the tall office buildings as well.


European cities that has a skyline



Frankfurt is one of the few European cities that has a skyline that includes skyscrapers. I thought it was standard for big cities to have a cluster of skyscrapers, but it's actually more American than European. Many European cities have a height limit imposed on buildings, where no building can be taller than a certain church or monument. It was only after looking up at the Frankfurt skyline from the river that I realized I hadn't seen many skyscrapers since being in Europe. Alexander further informed me that the tallest building in Europe is in downtown Frankfurt.

The next morning Claudia and Alexander had grocery shopping to do so we took off on our own across the river to the Rathaus. The Rathaus is set on a square lined with other uber-German buildings, perfect for tourists like me to snap pictures of.


European cities that has a skyline



The square was full of people due to union demonstrations that were to take place that day. Just as we were leaving, the parade of union demonstrators began emptying into the square, still chanting, beating drums and waving flags. Police were on hand for the event, but they didn’t appear too concerned, and the locals lounging outside the Starbucks looked on lazily while they sipped their coffees and puffed on cigs.


Democracy in action.


The polizei are way too cool in sexy leather jumpsuits.

We watched awhile before venturing into the shopping area, which had several malls and gallerias. We didn’t really want to do any shopping, but were more interested in getting to the top of the biggest galleria to look down at the city (in a literal, not snooty sense). We were successful.


European cities that has a skyline



We made our way back through the crowds of demonstrators to Alexander and Claudia’s apartment, where lunch was being prepared for us. I had noticed fried brie on the menu at Oma’s Apotheke in Hamburg and had been tempted to order it, but hadn’t after Claudia said, “It’s so easy to make at home.” So fried brie was what we were going to have for lunch. It’s made by coating a wedge of brie with egg and breadcrumbs and then pan-frying it. The finished product is served with fruit preserves and toast. Of course, it tasted amazing, although I think if I ate like this all the time, I would be the size of a small car.


Alexander and Claudia's Apartment.

All four of us were going to go to the Frankfurt v. Nurnberg soccer game after lunch, but discovered that the game was actually on Sunday. Alexander suggested that we “go find a castle” instead. How cool is that? You certainly can’t go spontaneously looking for castles in the States. We drove to the Rhine River Valley, which is the wine region only about an hour drive away from Frankfurt.

On the way out of the city, we encountered another protest – this time college students protesting the new German policy of requiring payment of college tuition. College has traditionally been free for German students, but the country can’t afford such a policy anymore and is requiring payment of a low tuition fee. I can see how that could suck if you weren’t expecting to pay anything, but what they’re being expected to pay is less than what you would pay at your average American community college. I suppose it’s all relative.


"No way, we won't pay!" (I'm guessing. You know I don't speak German!)

Our first stop in the Rhine River Valley was the Eberbach Monastery, where monks produced wine for hundreds of years. There are no longer monks living at the monastery, but the wine-making tradition continues. The historical buildings were undergoing some renovation, but it was a nice place to visit. Alexander and Claudia also bought us a bottle of wine from the monastery for us to enjoy later. Yum!


Eberbach Monastery


Greenery around the monastery - I love fall!