Dusseldorf

               

At a good friend’s recommendation, we traveled to Dusseldorf for the day. Although we only walked a little more than 3 miles, it took us 5 hours! See what happens when you take too many pictures?

Upon arrival, we never have a city map so the streets and alleyways are a jumbled mess to us. After driving around the city for a while and not knowing where the altstadt (Old Town) was located, we pulled into the next P (Parking garage) we found. In my usual form, I accosted a nice lady wearing a Hijab and asked if she spoke English. She was so welcoming and admitted her English wasn’t good so I assured her with my limited German and we had a laugh.

Gilda and Ali chatted with us as they got us out of the garage and onto the streets of Dusseldorf. We asked for directions to the altstadt and it seems we were just one street away from entering its outskirts. We thanked our generous new acquaintances, took pictures and parted company.

Our first stop was the T.I. to map our route for the day and find a Toilette after our coffee-filled drive. Picking up a couple items to give us a walking tour, we headed to the City Hall in Markt Platz to find the facilities.

There were even signs to help us on our way! How nice…but we still didn’t find them. Down one alleyway we found a beauty shop so I asked for directions to the Toilettes and the girl said, “Why don’t you just use ours!” Would THAT happen in the States? I think not! After getting permission and directions to their restroom, I was ready for the day.

We headed for the Rhine and our walk along the river to oldest park in the city. Stopped by the KD river cruise kiosk but the man was on his way to the restroom and would return in 10 minutes. We decided not to wait but took a pamphlet and went on our way past the Burg Platz and following the river. Enjoyed the park but it was just that…a park…with trees, open spaces for play and limited flowers.

Children's play area with a ropes course.

Lifelike sculptures adorn cylinder advertising kiosks. There are 10 throughout the city.

A jester was allowed to say anything to the king without retribution.  This jester honors Carnival in Dusseldorf held annually.

Daniela had said to walk the park and enjoy the architecture but we discovered later that we think she meant the park across the river since the houses over there had lots of character.

River Walk

Park across the Rhine River

We left the park and walked to the moat and waters of the Dussel River and down the Konigstrasse of shops for the rich and famous…or those wishing to be.

Modern architecture amidst the old

Tree lined Konigstrasse

Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Mont Blanc, Hullhuber, Bulgari

Triton

"Slim Matilda", the clock center, is a popular meeting spot at the headwaters of the Dussel River as it runs through Konigstrasse and the expensive shops.

Beautiful walk on a double treelined center with the river flowing between and then over to Citadelstrasse which was advertised as having 18^th and 19^th century homes lining the street. These were the oldest houses in Dusseldorf. Unfortunately for us, many of them were covered with scaffolding as renovations were underway. But school was letting out and these little girls with their big backpacks caught my eye.

Returned to the Burg Platz to get a photo of the cartwheeler that we missed on our first go round and then walked back to our car park for the drive home.  Another meaning for M.A.S.H. and it's NOT the war series on TV.

Can you afford an Omaha steak here at 42 euro?  Exchange rate $1=.80 euro

Crosswalk signals require traffic to stop but you'd better watch out for those bicycles!

And then there's bocci ball in the park to pass the time away:

Getting out of the city would be yet another adventure since we were so turned around we weren’t sure which way would get us to an autobahn. So, following the traffic and getting help from no right turn or no entry signs, we stumbled onto our bright orange-yellow signs and were off to return to Kreuztal.

I must apologize that I’m not good at blogging on the day of the travel. Tired from driving and overwhelmed by a “responsibility” [remember I’m retired and avoid responsibility ;-)], I tend to just relax and have a wine.  At home I seldom eat canned items but we had purchased a can of “goulash” for a quick dinner and served it over microwaved potatoes. Hey! Not gourmet but filling.  ;-)

And here's our 5 hour, 3 mile walk of Dusseldorf:

We’ve been raiding Henning and Kirsten’s freezer of their ice cream and will have to replace it. Their freezer is the size of our refrigerators at home. The fridge in the kitchen is just that and the freezer is located in their laundry room. I like the organization of the drawers inside this big freezer.

Off to bed. Tomorrow is another day.