First Heidelberg experience March 15, 2010 till sometime later

Although I did say that I was going in chronological order with this I must break that a little bit.  For one thing I don't want to wait till I've caught up with this blogging while the perspective is fresh with our current visit to Heidelberg.  So, I will continue to bring us all up to date.  But, here are some current experiences.  Brenda was assigned three weeks here at the clinic to teach the medical staff.  Being the big baby I am, I didn't want to be left behind at home although it is only an hour and a half away.  The Army put her up in a room for the duration.  So, for a few bucks more a day, I came along to carry the baggage.  Now a word on the GPS.  It is particularily good.  It's German made, which I could attribute it's insight to German roads.  Although, I think it would as good in the states.  It is a Navigon 4370 in case your interested. I recommend it. It brought us right to the Hotel, if you want to call it that. It is Army quarters for $75 bucks a day.  I can remember such housing for military orders which Brenda has for this job costing about $15 a day.  They (the Army I suppose) took a number of old garrison barracks and turned them into a string of hotel rooms.  Even though the Army is picking up Brenda's part of the bill I feel Uncle Sam is being gouged. Oh well, here we are so here's a couple pics of where we are at this time.

In defense of the staff I have to say they are friendly and helpful.  They cheerfully rekey our door cards every time they stop working and even gave us a different room when after the second day the shower was occupied by cock roaches, silverfish or earwigs - whatever again.

I took Brenda over to the clinic which is 4 miles from here and then using the GPS set in coordinates built in for tourist attractions.  There are a lot here for a city heaped in history going back some 1500 years. So I set out for the old bridge.  One thing the GPS does not have is a stupidity alarm which I could have used as I turned up a one-way street the wrong way.  Not to worry as the German exhibited infinite patience waiting for me to frantically get turned around as he nearly drained his battery laying on the horn. Undaunted I found a parking spot and took the following shots.  Note the surface of the streets. If you need to do a filling check before visiting the dentist just drive on these streets.

Winter in Germany is not letting go easily.  Up until this Thursday afternoon the temperture hasn't gotten over 40 degrees F. with a couple of days to go till spring, it is starting to look up. The latitude is a bit more north than where we were in Washington.  Naturally then, it is expected to be a little colder longer. I think that the leaves will fill in pretty quick once it warms up to stay and then it will really be beautiful around here.