The Joys of Living in Frankfurt

I thought it was time to talk about Frankfurt, simply because of the overwhelming bad press this city seems to get. The weirdest part is I can never figure out why it gets bad press. Where did it come from? Is it an old reputation of Frankfurt that they can't seem to shake off or what? Anyway, I am going to write about the good stuff and why I like it here. It isn't in any kind of special order either, just as the thoughts come to me.

Since I started studying the history of this city, it has made me appreciate just where I live. The history here is amazing and it is a shame that so few people seem to know anything about it. All the emperors and the coronations and the parties in the Römerberg. I like that the Romans were here and wandered on the same streets that I am wandering down today. I liked that feeling in the Forum in Rome and on a donkey path in Greece too. Just thinking about all those people who have walked here is interesting for me.

All the foreigners here make life great in Frankfurt. With over 25 % holding a foreign passport and probably another 25 % with either a parent that was foreign or who have taken on a German pass or have dual citizenship, mulit-culti is normal. We have all these wonderful ethnic restaurants to chose from and I like the way the foreigners are such entrepreneurs. So many of the start-ups are from people who want a better life, who are willing to work long hours and are willing to risk it.

Even though Frankfurt is considered a big city and it does have a lovely cosmopolitan feel to it, it never feels TOO big. Almost every time I go downtown and I do go downtown a lot, I seem to run into someone I know. It is almost like a small town, but with the amenities of a big town. We have lots of wonderful street festivals where everyone is having such a good time. I pretty much always feel safe here too, no matter what time of night it is or where I am walking. I know some folks are leery of the Bahnhof quarter, but my gosh, there are hundreds of people there day and night, lots of cops, lots of cameras, and frankly I have never once had a problem there. The restaurants and ethnic stores there are cheap and fascinating. I love going in the Indian fabric stores and the spice stores, or walking by the African produce markets and going shopping in this huge Asian store. When I walk into my favorite Chinese restaurant I am greeted with big hellos and how are the kids, even if it has been a year since I was in there.

I like it that Frankfurt chose a unique, personal way to honor their Holocaust victims. We have one of the few Memorials that has the names of those Jewish citizens who lost their lives due to the nazi regime. It is so moving to take people there on our tour who do not know of its existence and as we walk towards it I start explaining that each block has a name on it and there are 11,200 names. Their eyes widen and their mouths drop open, and the usual comment is - OMG, there are so many! When one sees it like that, it changes the perception. These are people who have no gravestone, their families would have no place to come and grieve if it was not for this memorial. There is a famous saying - "When a persons name is forgotten, then that person is forgotten." The city of Frankfurt is insuring that these people are not forgotten, that each person is remembered as an individual. There are also memorials here to the Roma and Sinti, Homosexuals, the Slave Laborers, and the Jehovah Witnesses who were also executed by the nazis.

Frankfurt is a city that doesn't really have any "Must Sees" like the Eiffel tower, or the Pantheon, but it has lots of things you can see at leisure, so you don't have to rush around. You can take your time and simply enjoy what is there. It feels ok to walk around the park that goes all around the city center and is where the city wall and moat used to be. Or spend all the time you want gazing at the wonderful collection of art at the Städel, without the urgency of running around trying to see the Mona Lisa and Co. It is a relaxing tourist destination. We even like our skyscrapers and occasionally have a fest to celebrate them. It is just plain fun.

I am sure to think of a dozen other things as soon as I post this, but thats ok too. Cause then maybe you will come back and read some more!

Is it Spring yet?

This has just been the coldest winter we have had in Frankfurt in a really long while. Doing the tours in the freezing cold has been a little tough, and I will be glad when I don't have to put on 3 shirts and long underwear every day! Bless the Australians for showing up in wind and rain and snow and always being cheerful about it. That said, basically everyone is cheerful on the tour, even when we are all bundled up with scarves around our faces and I cant tell if people are smiling or not.
I haven't posted anything on here since a very long time, so bear with me while I gather some thoughts together and get writing again. Check back again soon!

New Blog

www.frankfurt-on-foot-cityguide.blogspot.com

Come visit my new blog that is all about Frankfurt! Whether you are planning on visiting Frankfurt or if you are a Newcomer to Frankfurt, my Cityguide will help make your time here more enjoyable. It is chock full of tips about using the trains, shopping, museums, restaurants, events going on in the Rhein Main area, hotels, churches, historic buildings and of course information about our tours.

See you there!