November 18,1997

The Cadre

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Travel: Heidelberg

with Kristen Patterson

t was still on a nature kick when I came to Heidelberg and was not at all disappointed. From the sur- rounding hills to the river that winds through the old city, my senses were overwhelmed. The castle is a powerful struc- ture that stands above the city, high in the hillsides. Window- shopping here is dangerous: model toys, dolls, blown-glass figurines and candy tempted me into poverty. However, when backpacking, one has to watch how much he or she buys because it has to be car- ried for the rest of the trip. Of course, mailing things home is always an option.

How to get to Heidelberg: Take the train from Frankfurt. It's not a half-bad trip, or rent a car, or fly in, or cycle from wherever you were before, or

walk. It really doesn’t matter. The only way that you can’t get there is by bus.

Where to stay: Okay, it took me forever to find the address of the hostel I stayed at and unfortunately itdoesn’thavea website that I can find. The rooms are dorms of six beds, and the doors do nothave locks, so be careful. It’s the Jugendherberge Tiergartenstrabe 5 and it’s easy to get to: a bus stops near the train station and takes you right there. There’s usually a large crowd going with you. How to get around: Walk! It’s the cheapest way. Other- wise, take the bus to cover longer distances. Heidelberg has an efficient bus system that is easy to use. Theold city is probably where you’ Il spend most of your time and it’s all

withinasmall area. Youcould try cycling -- I didn’t see tons of it going on, but the streets seem fairly safe to test your skills on.

Where to go: There are the obvious choices and there are the places that you discover by accident. Try both. Heidelberg has a great website at http:www.heidelberg.de/ verkehrsverein/english/ index.html.

SchloB (Heidelberg castle): you’ Il nearly die climbing the path to get there but it ts so worth it. Inthe summer, if you can, check out the various thea- tre, opera and music pro- ductions that are performed in the courtyard of these impres- siveruins.

Alte Briicke (Karl- Theodor-Briicke) (the Old Bridge): You just can’t miss

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Philosophenweges (Phi- losopher’s Walk): a gor- geous stroll through the hill- side, where philosophers re- portedly came to walk and talk. Alte Universitit and Studentenkarzer (Old Uni- versity and Students’ Prison):this building is incred- ible and while you're there, check out where they put everyone that misbehaved. Universitatsbibliothek (University Library): Amaz- ing, just amazing. Don’t forget everything else. There are many more options and the website will show them all.

Tips: This is the point in my trip where I learned a valu- able, albeit bitter, lesson. There will be times when you may let

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your guard down as far as your personal belongings are concerned. Voices in your head will say “go ahead, leave them there, they'll be okay - you'll only be gone for a few minutes.” These voices may come frequently when you are in the supposed security of a hostel. These voices are the devil himself. Never, ever, ever, ever leave your belong- ings unattended, unless they are in a locker. Otherwise, your expensive camera willbe stolen by some little twit while you're downstairs eating breakfast. Be warned.

Next week: Fiissen. gy - ola: id kepatterson@upei.ca

‘TTT eee

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