Heidelberg

On Saint Patrick's Day, off I went to Heidelberg, Germany, for the 5th and final meeting for the research project that I'm working on about interactive white boards.  Our flight to Frankfurt was cancelled, we were rerouted thru Dusseldorf, had to train 3 hours to Manheim, and then our German colleage came to get us and bring us to Heidelberg, directly to the restaurant for the kick-off dinner, where the Brits were already onto their first German beers.  (see photo above).

This trip was full of rain.  But I will remember the interesting food, like the spinatkneutel (or something like that) above.  Heaven in a dumpling.

The other striking aspect was ALL the people, of all ages, and all socio-economic classes, who use bicycles to commute rain or shine.  It was truly impressive and I never got tired of seeing them all.  Below, my meal on night one.  I needed it after that crazy day of travel!

At the teaching university where our meetings were, the cafeteria is equipped with a little corner for when students bring their kids.   I was amazed.

Below, here's the iTILT research team, from 7 countries, missing our British Council partner in Barcelona who took this photo.  This was one of the 3 instances of about 5 minutes where it wasn't raining.

Here's a photo of the bikes at the university - which was in fact OUT of session.  Can you imagine what it looks like in session?

Many shops sold little German dolls like these!  Made me think of Madame Alexander dolls.

Below:  spaetzel.  Or something.  Anyways it was really good.

The day we left, I finally had 2 hours free, in the rain, to do some sightseeing.  I did get to see some of beautiful, charming Heidelberg.

The "Schloss", or Castle, is certainly the most famous tourist attraction in Heidelberg.  Partially in ruins, it attracts millions of visitors.  It was truly impressive even in the rain.  Here's an interesting description by Mark Twain:

Mark Twain described the Heidelberg Castle in his 1880 travel book A Tramp Abroad:

“	A ruin must be rightly situated, to be effective. This one could not have been better placed. It stands upon a commanding elevation, it is buried in green woods, there is no level ground about it, but, on the contrary, there are wooded terraces upon terraces, and one looks down through shining leaves into profound chasms and abysses where twilight reigns and the sun cannot intrude. Nature knows how to garnish a ruin to get the best effect. One of these old towers is split down the middle, and one half has tumbled aside. It tumbled in such a way as to establish itself in a picturesque attitude. Then all it lacked was a fitting drapery, and Nature has furnished that; she has robed the rugged mass in flowers and verdure, and made it a charm to the eye. The standing half exposes its arched and cavernous rooms to you, like open, toothless mouths; there, too, the vines and flowers have done their work of grace. The rear portion of the tower has not been neglected, either, but is clothed with a clinging garment of polished ivy which hides the wounds and stains of time. Even the top is not left bare, but is crowned with a flourishing group of trees & shrubs. Misfortune has done for this old tower what it has done for the human character sometimes – improved it.	”
—Mark Twain[5]

View from up at the castle - you see the famous Church of the Holy Spirit lower right.

Below:  the Neckar river which flows thru the city.

In this photo you see another historic landmark, the "Old Bridge", which is capped by those two lovely white towers on the Altstadt side of the river.  Altstadt is the area of Heidelberg where our hotel was, and where the castle is.

Meanwhile, it's always time for beer in Germany.

I snuck into a schoolyard and stole a quick photo of this structure in their playground.  Between the rain, my umbrella, and feeling like the Gestapo might come for me at any minute, it's not the clearest photo.

Typical architecture in Heidelberg:

And lastly, this city is SO bike friendly, check out the staircases:

Heidelberg - despite the rain and significant travel challenges, a great trip with real intellectual stimulation.  I'd love to go back in the sunshine!