What a day that was! There was no sightseeing but it was still a fantastic day.
After getting into Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (central station), I was picked up by Harmjan, my host father, where we got the U-Bahn to Seckbacher Landstraße and then drove home. Harmjan is Dutch, and was very happy with the result in the World Cup, where Holland as underdogs unexpectedly thrashed Spain 5-1.
The Dams' house is a little over 300 years old - when you think about it, it's even older than Australia. It's a typical German house, with three storeys, small rooms and very tight, steep staircases. Johannes is the only one in the family not here - he's in Portugal until next week.
For lunch we had a variety of breads, cheeses and meats. It was great to sit down and talk about what everyone is doing - we exchange New Years' letters, but aside from that none of us knew what the other was doing.
Niklas, one of my host brothers, drove out to Bad Vilbel where we met Gaby's mother, Helga. Helga had prepared coffee, strawberries and cake, all of which were delicious. Helga is a delightful person, and it was also great talking to her, because she speaks barely a word of English, so we were talking in German the whole time. Helga is 80 years old and still has the energy to keep a magnificent garden full of roses and lavenders, and leap up a bookcase to fetch a book with her travel photos. Kudos to her.
At about 6 o'clock, the three of us drove into Bornheim. My host parents Harmjan and Gaby are in a choir called Randale Vocale - they were singing when I first visited in 2008 and are still in the choir today. This afternoon they performed at a concert in a church. They sing all sorts of music, from classical to alternative to Brasilian music.
We then went to eat dinner at a Croatian guesthouse, called Gaststätte Wolffhardt. This is the sort of place where everyone knows everyone, and they are so generous. Something you don't experience in Australia is the fact that bread is continuously brought out for free, but you have to pay for any water you drink. We each ordered our own main, and everyone gets a plate full of salad to go with the meal. At the recommendation of Niklas, I ordered a sampling plate of meats that came with some sauces and french fries.
After we finished our mains, the owner (who was a friend of the Dams) gave us dessert gratuit "just because I was Australian". Add raspberries and pfannkuchen (rolled pancakes) to a sampling plate and I was full to bursting. At a guesthouse they also provide you with a free small alcohol, water or juice to wash the meal down with. The friendliness of this place was unlike anywhere I had been before.
Bis bald everyone. More updates tomorrow.
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