Egypt meets China in the Botanical Garden

As usual I am close to missing an exhibition I really wanted to see, but this time it was for the better. Because shortly before the exhibition on plants of Egypt and the Pyramids ends, another exhibition is there to see. China, its plants and their use. Now, I definetely must go. So I call my side-kick and convince him to go with me - and please bring the camera. (so, half of the pictures are taken by him, especially the flower shots)
Ahhh, the weather Gods are with us - sunshine, lots and lots of sunshine, this makes it even more fun to be out and about in the Palmengarten. The Palmengarten has always been one of my favorite places in Frankfurt, because of its beauty and the peace. Later is becoming more and more extinct, because it is now presenting itself more family oriented and the all the "Please, stay off the grass" signs are gone and now, even here, people are using the little bit of green left to let their kids play soccer, annoy the swans or chase pigeons.   People are laying in the grass trying to work on a tan or eating a picknick and I think to myself that Frankfurt must have less parks then I thought, if they are willing to pay €12 Euro entrance to play on the grass. But, maybe the playground is too full. The Palmengarden has two playgrounds, both of them very, very big with ample room for the kids to play. Also, a little tram rides through the park, big fun for the little - and not so little kids.
We go into the the first house - part of the Palmenhouse, which is now under renovation. And we are enjoying the exhibition of life in China. Of course, the focus is on the plants in China. Their agriculture, but also the plants in the medical field. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is very big in "esoteric" community. Myself I have always preferred herbs and infusion over chemical, but I am not drastic about it.  There are many photos of the beauty of China and a lot of things to read, so my daughter gets bored and we need to move on, before she also thinks she needs to run off and chase pigeons. As if they knew we were coming, the theme of the parks were "DAHL"IEN - sorry, do not know the english name.  But, I did think it was funny.  We look at some more of Chinese clothing, a nice cabinet for different herbs and continue on - ahhh, serious, a lucky day. Today is the sales day for orchids as well...   we browse and look at all the beautiful orchids, but now even I want to go back out in the sunlight - while it lasts. We stroll through the park and then go through the green houses. I think our tour starts somewhere in South America, the air in the green house is sooo humid and smells of wet dirt. I like all the palms trees growing over my head, all the blossoms and even find a little quail jumping around in the bushes. We continue our tour throught the different countries and end up in a tropical rain forrest. My daughter find the mimosa the most interesting - of course and keeps touching it to see how it closes its leaves.  But, enough of this...  we go on to the next station - fruits, we see what they look like off the true, what part can and cannot be eaten - and what spices come from which tree.  But, now I am getting anxious. I want to see the pyramid. and we stroll on - htere it is - a miniature pyramids. Two oriental looking ladies charge the seperate entrance fee, if you have not gotten it on the main entrance. If they would have not started speaking turkish, I am sure they would have passed as egyptians for most people - hahaha.
The pyramid was the most intersting thing indeed. It was not about mummy or the usual stuff, but focused on the build of the pyramids. I was much intrigued and spend a good hour looking at all the info and such. Good thing I brought my side kick. Matthias was as bored as the daughter and them too went and looked at the video instead. When we finally walk out of the pyramid, I am perfectly content, for it was a perfect day outside and the exhibitions were just great. Still, I will continue to go more in the winter months, when it is more peaceful in the beautiful garden..

http://www.palmengarten-frankfurt.de/pyramiden07/Einleitung.htm    about the pyramids