Flash forward or back - Mainz thoughts today

 So I felt really old today trying to dial Germany, first from a landline that wouldn't seem to ring a hotel in Mainz. Frustrated, I decided to try my cell. I didn't know before today that cell phones could dial a +. That is what the hotel showed as the prefix to dialing it's number, so I tried that, but got the message that my cell service had to authorize international calling.

After a chat with my cell provider, in which the person told me to dial 001, I tried again. That person was wrong. The + worked and I got through and made a three night reservation for Mainz.

Rick Steves says there's nothing worth seeing in Mainz. Hell, he doesn't even mention the Chagall Windows in the St. Stephens church. We're talking Marc Fricken Chagall. They're beautiful. There are Roman ruins in Mainz, an amazing Romanesque cathedral, but yes, compared to some German destinations, it's not a tourist "must-see" location. Ok, Gutenberg did develop the printing press of movable type here. No doubt the draw for me is the sentimental connection, even if I won't get the chance to see many of those folks. Rudiger's parents died a few years back. I just sent word to him through his brother Jurgen that I'm coming to Mainz. I'm doubtful I will hear back. I will be happy to see Kersten, Claudia and perhaps Georg and Thorsten. That would be pretty remarkable to meet up with people after forty years. 

Gutenberg in his workshop.

One note is that, after traveling for years to Europe either solo or with Lisa, things get more complicated and expensive when you are a group of four. Many hotels in Germany don't have the standard, two double bed configuration. In Berlin, we found a place that has a queen bed and a sofa bed for our three nights there. My plan is to tire out the teens so that they can sleep soundly on anything. In Mainz, I tried to book an Air BnB, despite my general distaste for 'the sharing economy'. I created an account and made a reservation, but they turned us down. Lisa would greatly prefer a place in walking distance of the Altstadt, so I found a relatively reasonable place with a pool. Hopefully the pool will be open and available. 

One thing I had forgotten is just how close Mainz is to the Frankfurt Flughafen. We have made reservations for all of our stops, Berlin, Dresden, Wurzburg (also a base to visit Rothenburg), but we haven't talked about where we will stay the night before our early flight back. It probably makes sense to stay near the airport, but it might be more fun to stay near Frankfurt's old town, which I have never visited. 

Next post, back to Berlin.

Mainz city hall along the Rhine, taken from a special tour we had of the Mainz cathedral.