Frankfurt, Germany ; The skyline city

08.08.22-09.08.22

Continuing from my adventures in Trier, the next stop on my journey was Frankfurt. Interestingly, Nico (the guy mentioned in the Trier post) and I happened to share the same destination. Naturally, we set off from Trier together after bidding farewell to Marcel. Lucky us, lucky me, I was reminded that Germany was offering a substantial transportation discount during June to August or July to September of the previous year (2022), whereby transportation cost only 9 € for a month, with the exception of ICE and IC. It was a steal and  an opportunity too good to pass up, especially considering the generally high cost of train tickets in Europe.

Upon arriving in Frankfurt, I was taken aback by the stark contrast between my expectations and the reality on the ground. What I initially mistook for an unusual odor turned out to be the scent of drugs or, more specifically, marijuana, as my local friends kindly informed me. It was definitely not within my familiarity, but it was an intriguing introduction to the city 😅

As I walked from the Hauptbahnhof to my place of accommodation,  stumbled upon an intriguing sign that read “Taiwan Hotel.” This sign immediately piqued my interest because of the reference to Taiwan. And as curiosity got the best of me, I looked it up on the Googlemap only to discover that it was, in fact, not a hotel but a Taiwanese restaurant. Quite the unexpected twist, but a delightful one hahhaha

After settling my luggage in my accommodation, Nico and I met up in the city center. Honestly speaking, Nico, with his several prior visits to Frankfurt, was something of an expert when it came to navigating the city. Most of his previous visits had revolved around flights, but he knew Frankfurt well.

Our first stop was Römerberg, and I was instantly struck by the festive atmosphere. The square’s beauty left me in awe. As I’ve mentioned, I’m not a history expert, but my travels have taught me to approach each place with an open and curious mind. I discovered that this former patrician villa with its distinctive three-gabled roof had served as Frankfurt’s city hall since 1405. And it continues to be the seat of the city’s Lord Mayor to this day!

Our aimless wandering eventually led us to a charming mini-carnival. I wasn’t sure if it was a year-round attraction or if it coincided with some special event or festival. Nonetheless, it was enchanting as I had always fantasized about the carnivals that often appeared in the American films. But of course, not exactly the American carnivals since I was in Germany, still, it was an awesome experience! While I was tempted to go on some bumper rides a few times, my practical budget traveler side won, reminding me that every cent or dollar matters! 😄

We continued our stroll and found ourselves at the famous Eiserner Steg in Frankfurt, conveniently located near the carnival. As expected, it was a tourist hotspot, with people snapping pictures all around. I was no exception, and I couldn’t resist taking a few photos myself. One interesting observation was that there were plenty of locks attached to the bridge’s railing, a sight that is quite similar in my hometome. It is a universal symbol of eternal love, showing that love speaks the same language all over the world. 💕🔒

Lastly, we strolled past the Frankfurt cathedral. It was quite recognizable from afar for its striking 328-foot-tall tower, truly quite magnificent. This iconic structure, known as the Kaiserdom or simply the Dom, holds great historical significance as it once served as the election and coronation church of the Holy Roman Empire. A place, one absolutely cannot miss, when visiting Frankfurt.

My time in Frankfurt may have been a shortstop, but it offered a glimpse into the city’s essence within a single day. It was definitely sufficient for a daytrip but I’m sure that there are many more hidden gems that await me 😀 I look forward to another opportunity to visit Frankfurt again for a deeper exploration. While this leg of my journey may not have been the most exhilarating, it’s still part of my adventure in Europe last year (2022). Till then, I shall and will continue with my ventures 😊🌍