Heidelberg
As much as I enjoy the city of Mainz, my heart and soul belong to lush, green forests with ancient tree guardians... For this reason, Heidelberg is one of my favourite places in all of Germany and I highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to this beautiful country.
On the third day of August, Meine Liebe and I rose before the sun and gently crept out of bed to prepare for an early departure. Though the day was young, I was already filled with a sense of enchantment, more than ready for the adventure to be had. We walked through the cold of the morning to the train station and from there, ventured to Gustavsberg, where we met up with a girl in a car-share program also headed to Heidelberg. We were joined by another guy, who was late and ended up arguing with the driver, but I was in a different land-- a land of sleep and music as I hadn't completely woken from a night full of dreams.
Quiet morning in Heidelberg
August 3, 2009
My breath was taken away upon our arrival in Heidelberg. The fog was descending to kiss the mountains, swirling amidst the tops of majestic trees. We walked around and got some breakfast and found a bench by an old bridge. Two cappuccinos, a spinach pie for me and a chocolate pastry for her were devoured as the sun began to rise, bathing us in golden morning tones. The town was still asleep and I enjoyed the solitude of the empty streets.
The bridge we had breakfast by, Heidelberg,
August 3, 2009
Crossing the bridge, we found ourselves at the beginning of the Philosopher's Path, which began with 300 steps to a labyrinth-like road in a beautiful, ancient forest. The view was absolutely spectacular and as we walked, I tried to teach my Darling the prelude of the poem Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I felt as though the trees were listening to our conversation, as though we were in the company of such profound bearers of primeval wisdom stretching far, far into the past. I wonder what stories they held, what secrets they kept, how they regarded the humans who walked amongst them. On and on the path stretch and I could have walked forever, content to stay in this forest sanctuary forever!
Contemplate the solitude and wisdom of the forest
Philosopher's Path, Heidelberg
August 3, 2009
...But more adventures beckoned to us, so we made a loop, walked down the steps, crossed the bridge, and went to a beautiful castle. I delighted in the poetic nature of ivy reclaiming stone ruins. What power man tried to assert over the land was so easily destroyed and reclaimed by nature and the passing of time (think along the lines of Thomas Cole's Desolation from his The Course of the Empire cycle of paintings). I also tried to imagine life in the old days, transforming the tourists in my view into people of the court.
A Chinese tourist nearby exclaimed, "Dis paht of da castle was destoyed!"
Heidelberg Castle, August 3, 2009
Then, we took two sets of trolleys to ascend over 1,000 meters above the land. At the top, we stopped for lunch and then watched as two men prepared to catch the breeze and hang-glide down the mountain. It was a beautiful day to pretend to be a bird and I (not so) secretly wished I could join them!
This day stands out amidst all the other adventures we've embarked on. I much prefer the company of trees and ancient ruins to flashy neon signs and the rush of the city any day! And, of course, to share this beautiful experience with such a beautiful woman made it even more precious!
On the third day of August, Meine Liebe and I rose before the sun and gently crept out of bed to prepare for an early departure. Though the day was young, I was already filled with a sense of enchantment, more than ready for the adventure to be had. We walked through the cold of the morning to the train station and from there, ventured to Gustavsberg, where we met up with a girl in a car-share program also headed to Heidelberg. We were joined by another guy, who was late and ended up arguing with the driver, but I was in a different land-- a land of sleep and music as I hadn't completely woken from a night full of dreams.
Quiet morning in Heidelberg
August 3, 2009
My breath was taken away upon our arrival in Heidelberg. The fog was descending to kiss the mountains, swirling amidst the tops of majestic trees. We walked around and got some breakfast and found a bench by an old bridge. Two cappuccinos, a spinach pie for me and a chocolate pastry for her were devoured as the sun began to rise, bathing us in golden morning tones. The town was still asleep and I enjoyed the solitude of the empty streets.
The bridge we had breakfast by, Heidelberg,
August 3, 2009
Crossing the bridge, we found ourselves at the beginning of the Philosopher's Path, which began with 300 steps to a labyrinth-like road in a beautiful, ancient forest. The view was absolutely spectacular and as we walked, I tried to teach my Darling the prelude of the poem Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I felt as though the trees were listening to our conversation, as though we were in the company of such profound bearers of primeval wisdom stretching far, far into the past. I wonder what stories they held, what secrets they kept, how they regarded the humans who walked amongst them. On and on the path stretch and I could have walked forever, content to stay in this forest sanctuary forever!
Contemplate the solitude and wisdom of the forest
Philosopher's Path, Heidelberg
August 3, 2009
...But more adventures beckoned to us, so we made a loop, walked down the steps, crossed the bridge, and went to a beautiful castle. I delighted in the poetic nature of ivy reclaiming stone ruins. What power man tried to assert over the land was so easily destroyed and reclaimed by nature and the passing of time (think along the lines of Thomas Cole's Desolation from his The Course of the Empire cycle of paintings). I also tried to imagine life in the old days, transforming the tourists in my view into people of the court.
A Chinese tourist nearby exclaimed, "Dis paht of da castle was destoyed!"
Heidelberg Castle, August 3, 2009
Then, we took two sets of trolleys to ascend over 1,000 meters above the land. At the top, we stopped for lunch and then watched as two men prepared to catch the breeze and hang-glide down the mountain. It was a beautiful day to pretend to be a bird and I (not so) secretly wished I could join them!
This day stands out amidst all the other adventures we've embarked on. I much prefer the company of trees and ancient ruins to flashy neon signs and the rush of the city any day! And, of course, to share this beautiful experience with such a beautiful woman made it even more precious!