The Andersons of Wernau

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival

Porsche Museum

Opening Stuttgart Wiesen (octoberfest)

Little known in the US, Stuttgart also celebrates Weisen (the Stuttgart version of Octoberfest). I trekked over to the fairgrounds for the opening today, And after arriving early and a half hour wait, opened Stuttgart's annual beer fest.

Backerei Gobes and Old Heidelberg

Starbucks has nothing on this bakery!

Heidelberg

Train to Heidelberg

Staying in the red light district of Frankfurt. It is basically next to the main train station and 5 blocks from the river, ideal for an overnight and a morning run.

The district itself smells like urine and is populated by brothels... Pretty gross but nothing new for a city. My 'bridge run' on the river this morning redeemed Frankfurt somewhat, but i can see why it isnt a tourist draw.

A trip to a picturesque place like Heidelberg is a welcome contrast. I'm on the train to Heidelberg, the doors just locked shut, here we go!

Finding Frankfurt HBF

Leaving the Frankfurt airport, I wasn't sure which train to take. There were so many directions to choose from, regional and long distances, so I found the most promising train using my honed ability to follow the crowd, hoping most people were heading to the main downtown station, Frankfurt HBF (yes, this run on sentence will stay, I've been awake for 24 hours).

Once I was aboard the train I realized the odds were I was on the completely wrong train. Luckily, I wasn't.

I arrived in the massive downtown train station, feeling the weight of an all nighter, the confusion of a new culture's train system, and the relief of actually getting to my destination on a guesstimate. Seeing the enormous train platforms and delicatessan-style food stands, I knew the painful first trip leg was over.

I sported big 'fuck yea!' smile afterwards and grabbed the first kaffe and bratwurst I could get my hands on.

Arrival.

Note to self: practice a few all nighters prior to any international trips, because sleeping in coach did not happen and all of a sudden it is morning here, yet 2am in CA. All the free movies you could want on Lufthansa, though.

Go time

This trip started more interesting than most because Simon was in town from DC. He and I rode Amtrak down from Davis to Oakland to stay with Christy the night before departing.

Oakland is the right combination of a lot of things that are hard to find in big cities (low rent, great climate, a 3 mile lake in the middle for running, and a direct BART to SF) We had a great dinner thanks to our hosts Zac & Tara.

I took the BART from Oakland to SFO the next day and scurried onto my first international flight in almost 10 years.