FrankFurt, Germany (2)

The connections of big airports like Heathrow and Frankfurt (FRA) to US are quite durable. It takes 7–8 hours, and the passport control/custom is super easy. From FRA, you can take S8 (local train) 4 stops and arrive at the central station (Frankfurt (Main) Hbf). There are frequent RE (regional express) — slow and more stops — as well as ICE (inter-city express) — fast and few stops, which can take you anywhere around Germany. My German friends told me that RE/ICE trains are often delayed so planning 30+ minutes connections will be wise. You can buy tickets anytime online.

If you want to get around Frankfurt with a tight schedule like 1–2 days, it is good to live near the central station. It is close to the airport and also only 2-stops away from the central Frankfurt. The hotel price is quite reasonable here, costing around 100 euros if you book ahead. For example, around 2-minutes walking distance away, there are Intercity Hotel and Tokyo Inn, both of which have reasonable price and the room is quiet and has everything you need.

In the afternoon, I took a train out towards the city center. There were a few places I was interested to go, but I didn’t have a concrete plan. For example, I hope to see Goethe-Haus (where Goethe was born and raised), watch a concert at Alte Oper (opera house), take a sunset river cruise on the main river and maybe explore some art shopping and museums around historical towns. I did not do detailed research at all and just hope to play by ear and see if I can encounter some surprises.

The train arrived at the famous shopping area Zeil. There are so many polished, big name stores dazzling on the street, but I did not have any desire to even push a door into any of them. I walked towards the river planning to check out the river cruise. Then I found a cool book store and a cute market.

How interesting those little eats, little shops, and different faces of international sellers 🙂

I noticed that Frankfurt has many bookstores. This one has many interesting art books and posters. Oh, people here like “the little prince” also 🙂

Moving forward, here came up a beautiful cathedral. Passing over a narrow alley, I found there was a little window opening at the corner. There were no lines no big signs. I checked the window and here was this a cute girl with big eyes like Amélie. She said “you can spend 3 euros going to the top of the cathedral”. It sounds like fun so I immediately decided to do it. The stairs was spiral and narrow, a total of 320 steps as I counted to be.

On top of the Cathedral, there was nobody for the moment. I was sitting in the sun on a bench, and let the wind blow on my face and mess up my hairs. Then the church bells chimed —- one, two, three … beautifully resonated, as Mom’s voice calling me home to have dinner when I was playing outside. In those moments of beautiful, peace, and nostalgic that touch my heart, I often thought of you!