Wiesbaden

These past 16 days have been such an adventure -- full of interesting emotions and unique experiences.

My time here has been first and foremost, of course, about Charlotte, the adorable puppy I have had the privilege of getting to know (and likewise, I'm sure).

But it has also been about getting to Wiesbaden, a fascinating city, with its friendly people. People who have helped and befriended me just because I looked lost. People who have sometimes patiently struggled with English because I was so bad at German.

Here are some miscellaneous images from around the town.

This is one of my favorite views from my evening walks around Kurhaus Park, behind the big casino.

There's a big fountain in the pond and people gather in the grass to drink wine and listen to concerts in the park.

This is the biggest dog I have ever seen! (Actually he's more of a small horse.)

I tried to get a picture of Charlotte with him so that you can see how big he is, but every time she got near him she'd get so excited she'd jump at his face.

Fortunately, he is also one of the gentlest dogs I've ever met. His owner told me he eats a kilogram (about 2.25 pounds) of meat a day.

Before I came to Germany, Jeanne's mom warned me to make sure I understood how to work the washer and dryer.

These are their control panels.

I have enough trouble at home just trying to figure out if I should use a long or short dry cycle.

Betina had to explain this traffic sign to me.

As you can see, this is a one-way, do not enter street. But, under the traffic sign is a sign that shows a picture of bicycle and says "frei", which means means "free."

Wouldn't you think that this meant that bicycles aren't allowed on this street?

No. "Frei" means that bicycles are exempt from the other traffic sign. In other words, bicycles are allowed to go the wrong way up this one-way street.

I love this picture of a woman feeding the ducks and geese in Warmer Damm Park.

Both the ducks and geese here are unlike any breed I've seen in America. So the entire scene seemed very European.

(And, yes, I know that those are pigeons in the picture, not ducks, with the geese.)

When the weather would allow, the place I spent my most time was the Fussgangerzone, the Pedestrian Zone that stretches for blocks in every direction.

Narrow streets lined with cafes, shops and very German-looking buildings, many over 200 years old.

This is how I imagined Germany would look.

By the way, where do you think you are most likely to get hit by a car?

The pedestrian zone, of course!

Despite its name and the fact that it is supposed to be reserved for foot traffic, you must often dodge delivery tracks, taxis and bicycles as you walk. 

One of the the most unpleasant I saw was a very full garbage truck left sitting in the pedestrian zone while its workers grabbed some lunch. Yes, it was as bad as it sounds!

But the vast majority of my memories of Wiesbaden have been pleasant ones. (I'm struggling to forget the unpleasant heat wave that tainted much of my experience here.)

Wonderful children who would ask if Charlotte could chase them around the park. Other dog walkers, who would pause to let their dogs say hello to Charlotte and exchange compliments. Shop owners who patiently waited while I counted out my Euros.

And all of the wonderful people who proudly directed me around their beautiful city.

I am glad I shot lots of video and photos. My memories alone would not do this town justice.