Heidelberg!

The day I got to know I would be going to Heidelberg in May, I was crying, smiling, happy..nostalgic. I, for the first time, experienced what it is to experience mixed feelings. Heidelberg, after so long. After I had set my heart on that city. It was more like a pilgrimage for me. And academic congruence with your dream could possibly be the best thing that could happen.

I waited in Hall B at the Frankfurt airport, and I saw TLS service. The tag had a beautiful red heart on it. I knew, this would take me to Heidelberg. I don't believe in signs, but sometimes, you betray beliefs. I looked out of the window, but my eyes were constantly glued to see if we have touched Heidelberg.

Ah, there it comes. Beautiful Neckar flowing along with us. Guesthouse at the Bergheimer street was not that far from the river. Perfect. That's exactly what I dreamt about. To live closer to the river. I have shared memories of that place. The moment I reached, I unpacked and started working on my research paper. Oops, my laptop crashed. I panicked like anything.

What I knew about the city- there are no internet cafes, no pay phones. I ran to the nearest electronic store- Saturn. People were so very kind. They told me, Heidelberg has so many internet cafes. Nearest one was Haag. The walk was nice, weather was wonderful.

After finishing my presentation, I met a lot of people and we all went for a walk at the Philosopher's walk. The view of the Altstadt was brilliant. I could just sit there for hours. No wonder I set my heart on Heidelberg. It was actually so romantic.

After the philosopher's walk, I had to go back to sleep because I was too tired. I loved the German food and the hospitality. I felt that belongingness even if I had never been to this city. It was certainly not because of my pre conceived ideas and notion. 

Next day, after meeting my amazing friends, I went for a walk in the city. Walking is like honoring a place, you walk with the breeze, the fragrance, the touch, the warmth, the coldness- all these walk with you, show you the city, make you acquainted with the city. 

My first walk started from crossing the bridge. I had inhaled the old town (altstadt), now I wanted to cross the river and see this town from the other side. It was quite late. May be around 12 AM or so. But I had another engagements as well- I had to see the moon in the night. 

I had no maps. I just knew the other side is Neuenheimer Feld. But there were a couple of places I wanted to see. I asked two ladies on the road and they drew the map for me in my notebook. As I said earlier, I felt that I know this city.

Neuenheimer Feld was full of mechanical tall buildings with numbers on it. One building, number 282 caught my eye. It had these fluorocent green round decorations. A small bench to sit with the flowers. I sipped my coffee there, sipped some feelings. And went back to the bridge. Graffiti under the bridge struck me. and the ducks resonated with the liberal ideas. Liberal-Lieber-Liebe.. 

Heidelberg invites you. 

It generates that feeling of love. 

It enters your mind through that symbol of heart.

As simple as all this. 

A friend of mine had written, it is better to fall in love with places. They don't leave you. People leave you. Places always make sure you meet them.

Heidelberg did.