Exploring Freiburg

Today we enjoyed the city of Freiburg. This is my third time in this city (1989, 1995, 2012) but pretty much everything I did today was still new to me. First we want to a small farmers market near the train station. Then we went to a much larger one near the Münster Cathedral. Owen got some Wurst. Then he bought a little boat so he could sail it down the small canals. According to Wikipedia: Bächle are small canals which crisscross the streets of the inner city. These canals were once meant as a way to fight fires in medieval Freiburg. The locals say that if you accidentally fall or step into one, you will marry a Freiburger. While he played with his boat I sat at an outdoor cafe and enjoyed some potatoes and vegetables with cheese. Next we went to a large German department store to get a kitchen gadget that I like that Renate has. We also looked at a large display of Swiss chocolate and the children's toy section. Next we walked over a bridge to the beautiful Botanical Gardens. From here we went up an incline railroad to a path that went upward further to lead to a lookout tower. The tower spiraled up about 160 steps for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains. When we came down Owen got a few more canal runs in with his boat while I enjoyed the street musicians. Then we took a tram a couple of stops to the river. Here we went to a little cafe along the river and I enjoyed my first beer in Germany. It was a beautiful place to sit and chat and people watch. Then we came back to Renate's apartment and finally got to FaceTime with daddy.... The first time all week since he was in Boston for work. After we caught up with him we joined Andy, Rahel and Noah for a bike ride to a very fun outdoor pool. Owen must have gone down the waterside at least thirty times. And each time his grin was as big as the first time. I love seeing him so happy and enjoying this special trip.