He wake up just in time for the photo!
Again it was a sunny day when we left for Heidelberg on Friday. First I picked up Ket at the railwaystation in my hometown Zutphen. From there we drove to Zieuwent where Jos lives. He knew the exact shortcut from his house to the German Autobahn. Up to Düsseldorf to pick up Lauro. We know he likes sleeping a lot so for sure he didn't mind that we had some delay due to Ket's train not running on time and a lot of constructionwork on the road. Finaly we arrived in Düsseldorf around 1.30 pm. Lauro supposed to navigate us to Heidelberg but all he said was wich city's we would pass on the way to Heidelberg and almost right after that he continued where he took off that morning, sleeping!
After some traffic jams and a rest, we arrived in Heidelberg at 5 pm pünktlich.
How to fit in Lauro?
Ana could be proud of us! (if she was around that is!) Lauro, awake again, phoned her in the car that we would be at the hostel at 5 o clock. We checked in, I got a free parking space behind the hostel, and 'Pünktlich' half an hour later Ana arrived, and Pablo, Brett, and later Guido. We enjoyed the sun and free beers from the hostel outside.
Not long after that we where heading into town for dinner. There we met Ana's friend Elena, not a TravBuddy at that time, but that changed after the meetup, we got ourselves a new member, welcome Elena! (and don't tell us we didn't warn you, hahahaha). Again we where lucky with the weather and stayed outside during dinner. The smokers amongst us where happy. (can't imagine this is going to happen in the Netherlands as well from July 1st!) Some more TravBuddy ambassador work is done during the dinner when Christina asked where this was all about, I explained her where she could find the photo's and she would have a look at the site soon.
Lauro's new job!
So far her boyfriend joined TravBuddy and asked me for some photo's! Christina, where's your profile? After dinner there was the usual walking around to find a bar and we ended up in a place where we could sit outside again, if not that the terrace was closed ten minutes after we arrived. Strange rules! So we had to stand up drinking, at least that was allowed.
After a good nightrest we went for a huge breakfast/lunch. We had to do some climbing up to the castle later on. At 3 pm sharp Ana was expecting us at the meeting point. Pünktlich we arrived at the spot (that is Jos and me, the rest was waiting becouse Lauro had to go to the toilet at the hostel wich took like forever. He probaly fell asleep since he didn't slept that well the night before (someone seems to be snoring, I didn't hear anything though!) Ana gave us a mini tour through the city of Heidelberg and before we knew it we started to walk the first of 315 steps up to the castle.
Gigolo!
To find out halfway that it was easily accessable by car as well! Anyway, we made it and as a reward we went to the wine cellar to taste some delicious wine (others to judge for that, since wine isn't my thing!) We also saw what is supposed to be the largest wine barrel in the World, Europe? I forgot what record it was, but it was huge. I only wish it was Weizenbier what was in it. After enjoying the beautifull scenery over Heidelberg we took a different route down and where just in time before it started to rain. (Got a dejavu with Düsseldorf and the walk to the restaurant). But since the restaurant was nextdoor the hostel we first drink some Weizenbier again. And Ana was getting some presents for her hosting, Belgian bonbon's from Wouter and a nice 'I am not a tourist' shirt from all of us.
Pablo and Lauro
There was another shirt for some guy wich I can't recall right now. Then we went to the 'Kulturbrauerei', a 30 seconds walk from the hostel. And yes, surpisingly you could eat there as well. Great atmosphere and great meals. Outside they put plenty of umbrella's for us smokers. So after the meal half of the group was outside. After dinner it was time to enjoy the fireworks at the castle. We walked across a bridge to have the best viewingpoint and I must say, that was a great spot! And even some of the pictures did actualy show the fireworks. After these 15 minutes of excitement we went back to town to, again, find a bar that will fit is all. First there was the Cave, it littery was a cave. But it was a bit dissapointing for Ket since the average age of the visitors was over 50, hahahaha Well, at first we where almost the only visitors.
Brett
Then we went to a very busy street where there where a lot of bars, but it seems still not enough, since everyone was standing outside on the street. And not only the smokers. We stayed there inside and outside for a couple of hours and then decided to call it a day.
Next morning again we had a huge breakfast on the square in Heidelberg. Ana was still sleeping so we couldnt say goodbye at that time. But I am sure we will be here again some day. Ana, it was a great weekend and a nice (not so mini but mini enough) meetup! Thanks to you and thanks to all who joined!
