In March 1944 eighty percent of Frankfurt was destroyed by allied bombs. The historical area of Sachenhaus where Mere lives has many of the old buildings interspersed with new dwellings where previous ones were hit. Other parts of Frankfurt are entirely post-war. This morning we explored the new area, the skyscrapers (apparently unique in Germany), the opera house and the up-market shops.
As happened over Christmas Germany is now closed for 3 and a half days.
We went to a most enjoyable New Years's Eve dinner party at an Aussie/German couple's home. Great company, lively conversation and wonderful food. One traditional dish was raclette cooked in individual coupelles. We also had fondue, baked apple and too much wine.
Fireworks are sold freely everywhere and we've been hearing explosions for several days. At midnight, a couple of dozen people gathered in the square and randomly set off crackers in an uncharacteristically random way. In was dangerous, fantastic and somehow unGerman. A man called Jorge offered me a glass of champagne and a beanie. I accepted both and we partied on.
Off to Florence tomorrow. Tschuus!
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