We arrived to yet more rain but only light showers so we dumped our bags in a locker and went into the city centre. Although much smaller than most places we have been to, it has a lot to do and is packed full of history with the city centre being the oldest part. Heidelberg is known as a “University City” due to about 30% of its population attending the uni which is the oldest in Germany being founded in 1386. Whilst walking along the main street, it was obvious how much an influence the university has on the city with numerous buildings and museums along the way. One of the first squares we came to was Universitatsplatz which contains the Old and New University along with the Prison Jail (more to follow tomorrow) and the impressive University Library around the corner. However, some of the buildings are closed on Mondays so we have to wait till tomorrow to see them.
The Library was open though so we wandered in for a look. Lets just say Heriot-Watt library looks like it was built by monkeys compared to this beautiful building. After a quick look around we went further into town going into the Jesuit Church and the Church of the Holy Spirit. We also walked through Karlsplatz and Karls gate, Grain Market and the main Market Square, at each place getting closer to the castle perched above the city.
Once we reached the far end of town, we crossed the Neckar River and walked along the opposite bank to the Karl Theodor Bridge (Old Bridge). The bridge once formed part of the old town wall and is the oldest bridge in the city.
We killed some time and had a pint before heading to the station to get our bags to go and meet Bjorn, our host for the next 2 nights. Couchsurfing is a relatively new thing in the UK but seems much more widespread in Europe and it involves contacting someone wherever you are travelling to and requesting to sleep on their couch/sofa bed. Its as simple as that and it allows you to experience more of the culture of the place you are in but also allows you to make new friends and learn loads. Although we were in Germany, Bjorn is actually from Sweden and lives with his girlfriend Dorothea who is from Germany, so we got the best of both worlds!! They stay in a lovely, trendy apartment in one of the best parts of Heidelberg, a 2 minute walk from the centre and the river and they even have 2 balconies!!!
Although we were a little nervous before meeting them, they were so welcoming and made it much easier for us. They are experienced couchsurfers and Bjorn has hosted over 60 people over the years!!! Bjorn works in nearby Mannheim and Dorothea is studying Law at the university, but both speak 3 languages fluently making us in the UK look pretty lazy.
We had a great chat to begin with before Sam and I went out for some food at a place recommended by Bjorn called Madocs. “Big portions”, he said, I couldn't even finish mine and was probably one of the best meals we have had on the trip.
We headed back to Bjorns for more chat which was absolutely brilliant, finding out about the places he has visited, exchanging stories, chatting about life and telling him about Scotland which was lots of fun before heading to bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment