Adventure Flashback: Freiburg Friday

I have to say that I did relatively well adjusting to the time difference when I first arrived to Europe two weeks ago (has that much time already passed?!). Nonetheless, early on I found it difficult to get out of bed in the mornings. Thank goodness for Michelle, who bounded into my room, throwing back my curtains, and declaring, "Good Morning Sara Moss! It's Freiburg Friday!" or "It's Swiss Sunday!" or "It's London Monday!" I have to say, now that I'm in London, I really miss waking up that way. I'd roll out of bed with a grin on my face.

On Friday Michelle and I decided to take the train from Switzerland into a beautiful little town called Freiburg just over the border into Germany. To do this, we had to take multiple forms of public transportation to new places... as we know, one of my favourite activities! 

On the tram. Michelle had a run-in with the transportation police a few days ago (not her fault). Even though we were fairly certain our tickets were correct, both she and I were nervous about getting picked on again.

We made it to the train station! Time to buy train tickets. We hadn't accounted for the fact that there were multiple train stations in Freiburg, so at first glance we had no idea which one to select. Quick-thinking Michelle used her German skills to identify the station that had "Central Station" in its title. #Win.

Success! And we found the platform! And we had our lunch whilst we waited for our train. On a roll.

Classic window selfie bringing us back to being 13 years old

Gorgeous girl, gorgeous countryside

We got off the train at the main station and tried to get our bearings. We stumbled upon a very prominently placed information booth and approached. "Excuse me, do you have a map?" I asked. "NO!" The attendant practically shouted, arms crossed over her chest as she shook her head emphatically. Michelle and I scurried away and promptly became hysterical.

We found our own map outside! Here, Michelle reenacts the angry attendant's expression as she sent us away from the booth

Tram, bikes, building in Freiburg

Things to note in this picture: My beautiful friend, Michelle. Mime eating a sandwich in the background.

too cool

We liked the archway

Bikes at a tram stop

SO MANY BIKES

There was a massive alternative culture in Freiburg: LOTS of dreadlocks, tattoos, brightly-coloured hair, funky clothing. It was kind of fun after the rather conservative parts of France and Switzerland we'd been visiting.

Cannot get enough of these colors 

I fell in love with this alley 

Could you get any more picturesque (the answer is, Yes. The next day, the small towns of Alsace proved tough competition)

Golden hour in the main square

In my element

Again, so many families out enjoying the afternoon

Small canals, bikes, buildings, setting sun

It felt like a storybook

We'd be walking and casually look down a side street only to see views like this

People starting to gather for drinks and food after work

Michelle found a little boat!

Used books

BLUE STEEL!

Look at that smile!

Michelle got really excited about this door handle

We walked across this bridge and found the most spectacular park

It was a bit quiet when we first arrived, but within 15 minutes, it was completely filled...

Teenagers, toddlers, university students, families. Sidewalk chalk, playgrounds, fountains, frisbees, kites, bikes.

As we sat in the park, Michelle and I discussed where we eventually want to raise our families. It is extremely important to me to live in a place where this is how Friday afternoons are spent. Michelle mentioned that ToysRUs now sells a treadmill for toddlers. In her words, "Take your kid to a f***ing park!" I think that there is no substitution for sunshine, fresh air, and neighborhood friends--at least not one that can be purchased at a toy store and plugged into a wall in your living room. She and I sat together people watching until an evening chill picked up and we decided it was best to head home. After all, we needed to upload photos and plan for the weekend's adventures with Alex!