Sightseeing and Shopping at the “Alte Roemer” –Old Roman Sector in Frankfurt
My husband, Hal and I, Ilona had planned another visit to my sister Friedl and her husband Georg, who lived in Darmstadt/Germany south of Frankfurt. Since my Hal was reluctant to park his new car in the “long term” parking lot, Doug Hal’s brother and his wife Nancy suggested we park the car at their home in West Seattle and Nancy would drive us to Sea Tac Airport. That was very generous and very nice of them. I, therefore wanted to do something nice for them too.
As Nancy was driving us to the airport I asked her if she had a request for something we could bring her from our trip to Germany. She said if I could find a beautiful etching or Lithograph from one of the art shops in the old Roman district in Frankfurt, she would love that.
One morning during our stay at my sister’s home in Darmstadt my Hal and I decided to take the bus to Frankfurt and have a fun day there, and at the same time look for art. It was a sunny, but very cold day. After being in the bus for about half an hour, we noticed how cold it was in there. One could not feel legs and feet any longer and we still had another half hour to go. Someone asked the driver if he could turn on the heating system, please. Reluctant, the driver told us that this morning the heat went down and that he is very sorry. We had no choice but to sit there to the end. As we arrived in mid- town by the “Haupt Wache” we got off, walked across the street and into Café Kranzler. Our legs and feet were like ice, very stiff and all we could think of was a nice warm place, nice hot coffee and a tasty breakfast. We enjoyed hot, steaming, aromatic coffee and a variety of breakfast pastry, a dish of wonderful fruit and warmth. We stayed about one hour at least until we could feel our feet again and started out toward the old Roman district. We looked into the display windows of some art shops on our way to the one we were familiar with, purchasing etching and stone lithographs for our home over the years. As we walked in, all the walls, glass counters and on easels already framed ones, beautiful etchings and lithographs on display. Almost overwhelming, one salesperson and so many pieces of art.
We found several beautiful ones. We got one for our Nancy and Doug and two for us to display in our hallway. As we came outside with our treasure, we looked for a taxi to take us to the train station not the bus. Friedl and Georg liked very much what we had purchased. We had also purchased a heavy cardboard roll to carry the etchings in on our flight home.
When we arrived in Seattle, Nancy picked us up and once at their home we presented them with the etching. Their faces and smiles showed that they were pleased and happy. As we were having a conversation about our trip from Darmstadt to Frankfurt’s old Roman district I remember another journey there with my Hal, Friedl, Georg and I. A wonderful day, an experience not ever to be forgotten still so vivid in my mind and heart.
I loved this story and the description of the beautiful shops and the lovely etchings bought as gifts and treasures. Such a gorgeous looking Roman District and buildings too.
Thank you, Ilona, for another tale of traveling, adventures, and generosity! Marcie
Thank you Ilona and Marcie, for sharing this enchanting story and wonderful photo of the “Alte Roemer”. The art gallery sounds like a candy store, with so many beautiful works of art to choose from. And the ending definitely left me wanting more!
Art, food, beauty and generosity. All hallmarks of Ilona’s and Hal’s life together. All captured here in this little story. (I’m wondering if the “other memory” that was evoked by this tale will be the subject of a future story.). In this one, cold and frozen feet become warmed by a cozy cafe and hot chocolate. Then they walk us into a beautiful art gallery where magic happens. Thank you for another captivating story and glimpse into the ever unfolding story of Ilona and Hal!