Being a tourist in Frankfurt

My TA works on the weekend as an English speaking tour guide in Frankfurt. He was nice enough to run a tour for all the teachers at our school yesterday. Something I had meant to do soon after moving to Frankfurt, but never got around to. Well, it was definitely worth it as I learned a lot of new things. Though it was a rather long tour: apparently it normally takes 3.5 hours, and we took 5 ... I saw some places that I knew well, and discovered some new ones. Here are some highlights:

A street in Frankfurt that was built as an architecture contest. Each building was designed by a different architect, giving the street a very eclectic feeling.

The winning house - built to resemble an upside down house, with a half unicorn half fish on top ... What I like is the colour, and the random stars cut out of the wall.

Cats!!

A statue of a cat sitting on top of the Rathaus (city hall). The originals were placed on the first Rathaus building in the 15th century. Greg told us they were placed by the citizens who were concerned about the city's spending, and had been told by the city councillors that the mice were eating the money. I read somewhere on the internet that there was a plague of mice and so real cats were purchased. After this problem was solved the statues were built to ward off any further plagues of mice. Who knows which story is the truth, but there are still 5 cats sitting in various positions atop the Rathaus. 

Marseille et Avignon

The last weekend of June was another 4 day long weekend here. Yes I know, another long weekend! It was the third and last one this year. Cara and I took this opportunity to fly to Marseille and visit her friend in Avignon. This is the same friend that I spent a day visiting in Würzburg last year. We had an amazing weekend. I got to practice my German - in France! We went on some beautiful hikes, ate some amazing food and enjoyed great company. Here are some photos from the trip:

First and only day in Marseille - hiking from Cassis to the Calanques (an inlet with cliffs on either side)

Picnic! We had stopped at a bakery and a few fruit and vegetable markets in Marseille. Of course being with Cara meant that most of what we did revolved around food, just the way I like it :)

Then off to Avignon! This is where Maria and her boyfriend have been living for a year for a university exchange. It is a beautiful little French town.

This was Rue des Teintures, where they use to dye cloth. And of course had a water wheel!

Also Rue des Teintures, the prettiest street in Avignon according to Maria

On the island in the river, looking back over towards the Popes Palace (yes, popes lived here! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avignon_Papacy) and the Pont d'Avignon. We went to the farm there and bought local produce. Cara and I taught Maria the deliciousness of eating fresh raw peas. She thought they were poisonous, but ended up loving them!

Le pont d'Avignon (and Popes Palace in the background)

Pont du Gard

We too a day trip to the Pont du Gard. This was an incredible, and also a beautiful hike. We hiked from Remoulins through the countryside and hills. This bridge is actually a roman aqueduct!! And a good place for another picnic :) We ate down below at the edge of the water. 

Sur le pont d'Avignon ... and trying to not fall in the river! I now can understand why more than half the bridge was destroyed by nature and never repaired - the wind was up to 100 km/h!!

Julian, Cara and Maria didn't come on the bridge ...