mini trip to Deutschland

Recently I had the good fortune to be invited by an old friend for a visit to Frankfurt in Hesse Germany, a place called Offenbach, quite a large urban area. It was a short notice trip for a long weekend so I had to book a flight for the next day, check my passport was up to date and pack a carryon bag with a change of clothes. My friend presents a TV arts and travel show based in Frankfurt so the offer of free accommodations and a sleep on the most comfortable sofa I have ever laid my head on in a beautiful skyline apartment with a view of the Rhine was too good to refuse. I was struggling to get a flight directly to Frankfurt Main from Edinburgh at such short notice so had to travel via Brussels (booked via Brussels Airways but it was actually a Luthansia jet) After an early Saturday morning flight from Turnhouse, 2 hours stop over in Brussels where I had just enough time to enjoy some Flemish Carbonades and a beer before flying off again to Frankfurt Main.

View From departures in Brussels

Customs and security at Frankfurt was a breeze and soon I was on my way to Offenback in the train getting off at the Marktplaz and speaking to some very friendly Germans who spoke perfect English and took time out to give me directions. Got to my friend’s apartment where I had a welcomed shower, changed my clothes and then was taken out for my dinner and a little taste of Offenback’s nightlife. Although in Germany we eat at a Mediterranean restaurant called Oveelos where I had some Greek food for my first time, it was delicious although I don’t think I will even try to describe it.

The night club was a Cuban place called Schlachthof which is translated into Slaughterhouse apparently but it was really nice and I had a couple of Cuba Libras to build up the courage to try the dance floor. City tour booked for the next day so back “home” to get some much deserved sleep on the sofa.

The tour the next day was really nice, and with an English translator was excused my ignorance. I saw the Schuhmuseum although it did feel slightly rushed, also a German Micro Brewery which was very interesting. I also saw the Town Hall where there is also a book burning memorial, a sad remembrance of the censorship of Nazi Germany.

My highlight was visiting St Bartholomew, better known as the Kaiserdom, the Imperial Church which was the site for elections and coronations of the Holy Roman Emperor for centuries. It was truly awe inspiring and a sight to behold, I would go back to Frankfurt again just to revisit this amazing place. I had planned to see the Eschenheimer Turm which is a guard tower from the city's outer defensive wall, built early 1400's, but never had enough time as had to get back to the apartment, get a bite to eat and go to the theatre.

My friend took me to Shauspielfrankfurt Theatre driving to the Städtische Bühnen area. We saw Königin Lear (queen Lear) which was a ultra-modern take on Shakespeare King Leer set in what I believe to be the present time or near future, well I would love to give my review but to be honest…I never understood it much and ultra-modern is not really my thing but I really enjoyed the evening, the show was very visual and we had front seats (a freebee) Afterwards we had dinner in Frankfurt and after a couple of German Beers I was ready to hit the sofa, get my head down and prepare to fly off the next day home to Edinburgh (via Brussels again) Wish I could have stayed longer, it was short notice, thanks very much to my friend for being a good guide, allowing me to crash out on her sofa and for seeing Königin Lear, much appreciated and you are always welcome to crash out in my spare room next time you are in Scotland, perhaps see if Lady MacBeth in on at the theatre ;-) Really nice weekend, met very nice people and saw some lovely sights, drank some nice beer, eat some good food and danced my own brand of Cuban Salsa (please forgive me Germany) Now back in Bonnie Scotland and preparing for my trip now to London.