Frankfurt, an interesting dichotomy

I got into Frankfurt the other day and this is a really interesting city.  There seems to be an overall good crowd of natives and tourists, it is very walkable and other then wonky roads, and anyone who lives in Portland knows what I mean, but it is a really nice city.

The funny thing about it though lies in its architecture.  I am fairly centrally located with lots of "downtown" looking places and also there are several small little sections with shops and stores.  The buildings though, especially in the downtown area, can be very, very old buildings with heavy detail carved into them with a great historic look.   There can also be very modern looking building with lots of glass and steal that give off the idea that they could not be more then a year old.  This old/new look is true for lots of parts of town.  It kind of feels funny to walk next to something 500 years old and then on the next block walk next to a huge skyscraper.  Though different, it does seem to work pretty well.

They also have a nice river that flows through the central part of town that has a great river walk along both sides with large sections of grass.  People like to walk or take little picnic/snack breaks and spend time with friends, much like Portland.  There is a festival going on just down from where I am staying so there is lots of music, a variety of cheap food and of course beer to drink.  I have been taking a little break from that though since it has been a while that Jeff has been exposed to this much beer.  Don't worry college friends, just a short break.

All in all it is a nice city with lots to do and see.  I am enjoying myself and I leave the day after tomorrow for Cologne and then I am finished with Germany.  Hope all is well with everyone from wherever you are reading this, which may be in Russia according to my statistics page.  Talk to you again soon.

Ciao

This Brat stand is just a big BBQ pit underneath that circle grill.  SO GOOD!

An example of something really old.  Sorry I don't have much information about things since my only map is in German.

Something very new.  As you can see with the cranes in the foreground, more to come.

Just a couple of block from where I am staying.

They do have cool architecture here.  There is even a architecture museum I may see tomorrow.

A shot down the river at sunset the day I arrived.

Modern transportation here in Frankfurt.  The "engine", all the drinkers on the sides are whooping it up while they peddle.  The driver up front is not drinking at all, but it does come with a bartender.

A great old church just across the river.

Part of the main square.

A super old clock tower connected to a church.  I think it said about 600 years old.

Some of the older buildings have cool designs like this on the side.

So do some of the new ones, just different.

Cops in a doughnut shop, true no matter what country.

Something I noticed on the way to the zoo today.

Brotherly giraffe love on a warm day.