A Day in Downtown Heidelberg

We have been cooped up in our apartment all week and have barely seen anything off of base other than the I.D. offices, but yesterday we were FINALLY able to make a trip downtown and do some exploring! We called a cab up and took it downtown right to the central area. There is about a mile strip of pedestrian only road filled with shops, restaurants, cafe's and bars. All close to some really cool historical landmarks as well. Here are a few pictures :)

This is where we are staying during our time in Heidelberg. The base is called Patrick Henry Village and it is unfortunately shutting down this summer. Because it is shutting down there are not as many people here anymore and nearly every day we see a moving van at one of the buildings. I can imagine that at one point this place was filled with families but now there are only a few families per building making it very quiet and honestly kind of sad.

Before we made it even a block into the downtown area, we found a Starbucks! And I, of course, had to stop for a photo op AND get myself a caramel machiatto. (BTW, they use the same words for ordering drinks here that they do in America!)

This a general view of what the downtown area looks like. LOTS of shops, both German and some that we have in America such as H&M, Claire's, and Build-a-Bear.

This is the entrance to the Old Bridge. We didn't make it all the way over because we were not sure how much there was to do on that side, but we will probably save that for a later trip!

Me and the two beautiful ladies from WSU that I am living with! :)

We had a surprise guest who decided to join in on one of our photos! We actually saw him and his group of friends a few times around the area and this was not the first picture one of us took that he decided to jump in!

We saw other tourists taking a picture with this brass monkey this same way, so we assumed it must be some sort of good luck charm and had to do the same (even though I know I look QUITE ridiculous!).

However, shortly after, we met a local who told us the "true story" and from what I got out of it, was this was put here during the time that Germany was only protestant and so when people who were Catholic traveled in by boat, they would have no choice but to see the monkey's butt. Which we thought made this even more hilarious! I'm not so sure how true this story is because I haven't been able to find any other related stories online about it, but what I have found on several sights is that you touch the mirror for wealth, the mouse for many children, and the hand to return to Heidelberg again. At least I know I touched the mirror! :)

These pictures are from inside of the old student prison. Students who got in trouble (for things such as drunkenness) would be sent to these prison cells. They would be here for up to a month at a time. They would still be required to go to lecture but then come directly back here. The artwork on the walls is the work of these students during their time.

We ran into this incredible church downtown. We were never able to figure out the name of it but it sure was GORGEOUS.

First glimpse of the castle! :)

We had to walk up an extremely steep hill to get to the top, so we stopped a few times on the way for some photo ops! (Thank goodness for friendly American tourists who offered to take a photo of all three of us!) We were amazed by this view, but little did we know that the view was about to get even better....

Unfortunately, photos never do any justice to just how amazing these historical landmarks are. But the view from the courtyard was just outstanding. Especially with the little bit of snowfall we had gotten that morning :)

This castle really was beautiful, hopefully you can tell how excited I was from this picture :P

After a long day of walking and sight seeing, we made our way to the infamous Dubliner where we had dinner and our first German beers! This bar was very "American friendly." We met a group of Americans who are in the military and talked to them for a good amount of time. What they say is true, Germans do have a way with beer ;)

And of course, our first beers had to be documented by camera ;)