European Adventures - 10. On to Heidelberg

10. On to Heidelberg

Our goal today is an apt. I found on Bookings.com at 110 Heinrich Fuchs Strasse in Heidelberg, very near Stefan Knopf’s place. I took this place mainly because it was close to Stefan’s but in hind-sight it was the perfect place for us. 

It took some time to cover the 220 miles from Weimar to Heidelberg but we were lucky, not really a lot of traffic on the Autobahn. One can never tell, the so ‘famous’ autobahn is full of construction zones and really, most of the time, is only a 2-lane highway. With all the cars buzzing about today, the road system is overburdened, especially when the commercial traffic, lots of trucks, are involved.

We left Weimar early and made it in good time but arrived in Heidelberg way before the apartment we rented was available. Never-the-less, I tried to call the landlady but was told, sorry, we need to clean the place first before you can move in. So, what to do?  The available time for us was 3 pm.

The Bride

No problem, we needed lunch anyhow. We walked to a Kebob house near Stefan’s run by a nice Turkish family. On the way to the lunch place Carol made an appointment with a hair salon run by a lady from Jordan who wore a hijab. 

It is hot in Heidelberg. We ate outside under a large umbrella, too hot to eat inside; then walked over to Stefan’s after this lunch to get the wedding schedule. Ah, a big hello when we arrived at Stefan’s to check on the events for the next few days. We had never really received a detailed list of what is going on and when. I just received the typical quick note in an email that Stefan sent out. 

The Groom

At about 2.15 we were just getting back to the apartment when I saw a lady trying to stuff a key into the ‘dead drop’ box and asked her if the key was for us. Sure enough, we got in early, we had caught the cleaning lady who let us in, showed us the peculiar way to open the doors, use the garage door opener, etc.

This apartment building’s ‘key’ is just a fob, you hold the fob near the lock and it will release the locking system. Very odd, very ‘new’; but it worked great. The one fob could differentiate the main door, the elevator door, the apartment door, the doors to the garage, but would not open the wrong apartment door. Clever new technology.

The apartment was fabulous, very new, very modern, very small and tight, but lots of windows so for the next 3 days it would work perfectly. No A/C though and it is hot, like I said.

Roast Pig Dinner (All 3 Pigs Were Devoured)

I brought up ‘our’ fan after I parked the car in the underground garage, we needed this fan. It is a good idea to travel with a ‘fan’ when in Germany during hot spells.

Stefan "Lets Eat" With a Beer in Each Hand

Back at Stefan’s near 5 pm for a roast pig dinner (3 pigs were served, all catered and prepped already) and a variety of salads; lots and lots of booze available. Also of course, naturally, tons of beer, water, soda, etc. there was hospitality and food in huge abundance. Stefan’s speech was… “Let’s eat”!

Mike and Aillene Paull

We chatted mostly with Mike Paull and Aileen, but met Harrison and Donna. Another nice couple was Agnes and Chris. I rode with Mike Paull almost a decade ago when we both tried to get from Shanghai to Munich in 2004.

We talked with Stefan’s children whom we have known since they were tykes.

Stephanie (left) and Francesca

Stefanie, the youngest, is in her last year of high school and instead of going to college her goal is to join the Armed Forces of Germany and aim to be a pilot.

Francesca, the oldest, works for the Marriott chain and is taking Hospitality courses. She had a bad car accident last Dec. and broke her foot but recently also sprained her ankle. So for the time being, she is condemned to wear flats. 

Moritz

Moritz, all grown up too, quit his gardener job and loves his new position in logistics at a large warehousing company. He has a girlfriend but I forgot her name.

And then there is Chris(topher) who is in his last year at University for his Business Degree. Next year he will apprentice. Chris is in the gym a lot. He pushes himself, tries to live on just 3000 calories a day and eats sparsely. No big meal, but rather he nibbles every 2 hours.

Ah, they grow up so quickly. All but Stefanie now have their own place to live. Stefan will start to feel the empty nest syndrome soon, I think.

Stephan's Brother

We had a wonderful day, talking, eating, drinking and just getting re acquainted with some old friends, but also meeting new people. 

Christopher

Agnes and Aileen, both of whom have been to Bali many times are trying to convince us to spend a winter in Bali. Agnes even has an apartment there she goes there so often.

We already learned to, for sure, go and see the Elephant cave, whatever that is.

Well, we will see.

But first we need to get some sleep; it was a long day and tomorrow will be the wedding day for Stefan and Ira.