We decided to go on an adventure. We walked to the bus station and caught the bus to the train station. It was a bit pricey since we don't have monthly passes for the bus...but it was an advneture. And now, after seeing how easy it is to travel by buus, we probably will (at least I will) buy a monthly pass. It seems to be cheaper than buying one or two tickets at a time!
We got to the train station and bought tickets to downtown Stuttgart. We were on a mission to find the fountain that one of Ted's co-worker has as her screen saver.
The train tickets were also a bit pricey. Again, we need to get a monthly pass because Ted hates to drive to downtown Stuttgart. Some of the roads are incredibly chewed up(not to mention the forever ongoing construction sites) and some of the streets are just too darn narrow even with our small VW golf!!
When we arrived at the train station, we were underground. We climbed the steps to the Koenegstrasse (King's street). There were throngs of people everywhere! We walked around for a bit but by this time we were hungry. We walked through a tunnel (between buildings) and came to a cafe where we had an early dinner.
While we waited for our food at an outside cafe-style table, I snapped a few photos of where we were. We remembered this square from the very trip we took to downtown Stuttgart almost six months ago. It was chilly and somewhat dreary that day. And it was Sunday. Of course we recognized it because of the most unusual buildings surrounding that Platz (Plaza).
Ted had the usual Kasespaetzel (Germany's version of mac-n-chees...but SO much better) and a salad. He was gracious enough to share a little spaetzel with me. I had pumpkin soup with toasted pinenuts and a drizzle of pumpkin oil. It was incredibly good. The soup was the brightest orange I'd ever seen!
We finally found the Platz! Not only were there two fountains but also a palace and a gazebo. It was a great day to just enjoy the day and people watch!
The obelisk is flanked by identical fountains
This is the center of the palace. The palace is so large, I couldn't get it in one shot!
This is the right side of the U-shaped palace. I think the palace is used for government offices but I want to check on that because I think it would be great to visit it sometime late this fall.
This is the view of the left side of the palace from behind one of the fountains.
This is a close up of one of the twin fountains.
This gazebo is in front of the obelisk and the twin fountains. Behind it is Koenigstrasse, where there is tons of shopping and tons of people! (Unfortunately, my camera was wigging out on me so this photo isn't as nice as the other ones. Not to mention that it while it was warm, it was definitely overcast!)
There are still flowers although most of them are dying. I was able to capture this one bloom that was SO pretty! The camera did NOT do this bloom justice.
We sat and enjoyed the somewhat balmy late afternoon and early evening. All too soon it was time to go home. So back on the train for the reverse trip home. When we got to the bus station to take us home there was no ticket dispenser to buy the tickets. We asked two young girls sitting there if they spoke English. Only one did. We asked where the Kasse (the literal translation is "Cashier") was to buy tickets. She said, we could buy them on the bus. Luckily we each had a 2 Euro coin for the ticket.
When we got off the bus, it was already getting dark and we walked back home and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Saturday 09/19/09
great pics.
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