Heidelberg, Germany

We are so tired of this lockdown and we needed to get out and about for some fresh air. I had been wanting to check out Heidelberg which is only a little over an hour away and a popular place for tourists for it wasn't destroyed in the war. It was also a place I knew would be beautiful to enjoy just walking around, even though stores are closed. It is a university town...which started in the 14th century. They have a castle which we toured the gardens as well. It is also the place where General George Patton was in a car accident (nearby town) and actually died in the army hospital that used to be in Heidelberg. There is a lot of history in this town, and we enjoyed our Saturday here.

Kornmarkt

I thought it was hilarious that this little girl just kept staring at them as I was taking the picture.

Eli thought that this street name was funny.

Some kind of protest was going on.

Loved all the shops even though they were closed.

This hotel has been there since the 15th century.

This monkey is supposed to be good luck. You rub the mirror for wealth, his hands will ensure that you return to Heidelberg, and the mice for fertility. This particular monkey is from the 70's, but there has been a monkey here since the 15th century. It is actually created as a face mask, so one can put their head up inside. I didn't want to do that during a pandemic, and I made sure to NOT rub the mice.

We went across the old bridge and took a walk on Philosopher's Way. It was a good workout getting up all of the stairs that led up the side of the hill. 

Here was looking back at the Heidelberg castle that we had just toured. 

The sun was shining beautifully, which caused sunspots in my pictures, but you can still see how pretty the bridge is.

From the other side of the bridge.

Climbing to the top of Philosopher's Way.

We found lizards sunbathing all over the warm walls.

We kept saying how beautiful this town would be in the Fall or during the budding Spring. 

Walking back across the bridge...

We enjoyed döner boxes for lunch (meat drenched in a dill sauce with fries--you eat it with a fork), and then Evan and Embry shared some gelato. Eli and I are back on a "no sugar" challenge so our mouths watered when we passed by the crepe stores, gelato, donut shops, and these amazing schneeballen (we think they are dough with cream inside). I find it humorous that these stores are considered essential and are still open to the public. I'm happy to say that Eli and I survived.

I also found these German flag bowtie pasta bags and bought a couple for welcome gifts to people. 

We also saw this lying on a wall....does this mean we need to pick up smoking? I mean it does have our name on it!