The Neighborhood



 So, this is a park on the same grounds as our Rathaus (City Hall).  Our church is right behind this complex and I snapped this pic last Sunday as we decided to walk home.  That blue building is public toilets.  They are clean and cost .50 to use ... a worthy investment in a city with little to no public toilets!
 So, this is the same park.  Now that the sun has actually made it's appearance, these park benches are occupied by lots and lots of people soaking up the sun, reading, people-watching or whatever else suits their fancy.  In January this park is a major Ice Skating rink.  They turn the walking paths into skating paths.  In April there is always a big Easter Market.  Throughout the summer they put up a super sized screen and show free concerts and movies to the public.  In November right up to Christmas this turns into one of the more beautiful Christmas Markets in the city.

 I've just started carrying around my camera to capture cut things that I take for granted and I see on a regular basis.  This was on a little side street across from the park.  For those non-German speakers who are reading this ... "Handschuhe" means gloves.  This is a store that sells nothing but ... you guessed it, gloves!

 In a city famous for it's Coffee House culture, it seems cheap, unauthentic, American, and a shame to go to Starbucks.  However, it happens.  In fact it happens once a week for me when I meet my language partner.  This is a new Starbucks that just went in at the UBahn (subway) stop next to ours at the University.  It's in a very old building and makes my heart happy (especially now that I'm a gold card holder!)


 Hidden off the main streets, behind large doorways, are always these quaint little Hoffs (yards).  This one was especially wonderful and had to be captured with my camera.


As we walked home from church ... through the Rathaus Park ... past the new Starbucks ... we stopped for a quick "Selfy".  Our Addie has taught us well. 

Finally, this is the bridge that we walk across at least once a day to our apartment building.  If you look to the left, you'll not only see a patch of water (this is the Donau Kanal - Danube River Canal) and then up from that you'll see an explosion of color.  This is graffiti.  Along this part of the canal, it is legal to paint on the walls.  Some of the best artwork in town can be seen along these walls!

And there you have it ... a little walk through our neighborhood.