Life in Weiden, Pictures, Travel + Life Abroad
Sweet Surprises
Weiden seems intent on worming its way into my affections. It just gets cuter by the day. It could be the infectious happiness Spring brings with it or it could be that my eyes are now deliberately open and peering about me, intent on juicing this place of all its nutrients. It could be that Weiden truly comes into its own in Spring, with its abundance of lush green trees laden with blossoms and old, vine covered buildings. Or it could be a happy union of infectious Spring, open eyes and Weiden enjoying its prime season – whatever it is, this little town of questionable haircuts and brightly painted buildings has been delivering day after day of sweet surprises.
As it turns out, there is a large park right next door to the Altstadt. In fact all you have to do is turn down any number of charming little side streets and you will arrive at any number of charming little bridges that will take you across a very thin, grassy-banked canal and deposit you in a big, tree-filled, dandelion covered park, complete with a few knolls, a big outdoors chess set and benches for respite. This discovery thrilled me. I love parks. I have a favourite park, a smaller, far more modest one, but I always have room for more favourites. Life should be filled with favourites. This new park is already a favourite. I plan on spending a lot of time in it, with books and coffee and white wine (God I love the German support of outdoors drinking at any time).
Hansel and Gretel, are you in there?
I have officially challenged SG to a game.
Perfect for my picnic blanket.
Another little discovery awaited post-park. In an effort to avoid the Spring Fair madness happening in the town’s centre, we stuck to the side streets, the winding, stone paved paths that would occasionally come to a little quadrangle of benches and blooms. It was sort of like stepping back in time while simultaneously discovering where Weiden’s well-heeled come to roost. The apartment buildings, old and well-kept had discreet doorbells and no graffiti (which seems to blight far too many buildings here). There were restaurants that fronted the park and views of both church spires. It was quiet and old and a whole other side to this little town I just hadn’t yet seen. And I love it. It felt like what the Weiden of centuries past would have been like, when the huge-hardware-and-outlet-store-filled-surrounds would have been precisely what this town was named for – pastures.
We started here and turned left, away from cars and people and market stands.
A view of both churches.
I will be bringing coffee and books here, mark my words.
So the obvious question is … what else does this town have hiding up its sleeve?
allgoodthings
1 May, 2012 at 6:46 amLove the way you have captured the curves of the streets.
silke
1 May, 2012 at 7:05 amBeautiful pictures, Liv!
emeralds82
1 May, 2012 at 8:51 ampictures are class. kinda reminds me of a town that could be in a Roald Dahl book like “The Witches”…. don’t know why ..:) Lovely post!
Valentine Logar
1 May, 2012 at 9:26 amYou remind me I must return to Germany as an adult so I can wander! Beautiful pictures.
admin
1 May, 2012 at 9:32 amWhy thank you very much, I am so glad you are all enjoying the snaps. The park itself is threatening to take over the town with its grass and blossoms, it is this amazing weather we are having!
@Emeralds82 – hahaha, it does sort of have a quaint, story book feel to it. So many scenes in Bavaria make me think of the Brothers Grimm, but they didn’t even come from here!
@Valentine – yes, you must. It really is a picturesque place.
Sharon
1 May, 2012 at 9:51 amLove the pictures. Looks like a gem of a place. The streets also look very clean and well kept. Thanks for sharing this with us.
admin
1 May, 2012 at 3:06 pmThe Germans are VERY good with their street-grooming.
MegsFitness
1 May, 2012 at 2:25 pmYou paint such a pretty scene with your words and with your photographs… Is that town very touristy?
dianasschwenk
1 May, 2012 at 2:54 pmI agree! It’s like I’m part of the adventure! I love the pictures and description.
admin
1 May, 2012 at 3:05 pmThanks girls, I love having you on the adventure, I need the company!
It isn’t very touristy, no. It’s real claim to fame is basically its proximity to the Czech Republic, which made it a trade town back in the day. It does have a US army base nearby, so occasionally I hear various American accents, but it isn’t a place you would put on the must-see list if you were heading to Germany. Regensburg, Nürnberg and München should be on the Bavarian must-see list.
terry1954
1 May, 2012 at 3:05 pmsuch beautiful photos, do you live near this beauty?
admin
1 May, 2012 at 3:06 pmI do, I do. I live right in the middle of this little town. It is getting prettier by the day.
hunting for bliss
1 May, 2012 at 3:09 pmHow quaint! I can see why it’s beginning to grow on you.
cravesadventure
1 May, 2012 at 3:54 pmLoving your photos & Happy Exploring!!!
yearofaustere
1 May, 2012 at 4:38 pmLove the photos! I found your blog a few weeks ago while my daughter was in Germany on a school exchange. She is determined to live there one day. Reading your posts makes me seem closer to this previously unforeseen future of hers. Not sure if that makes sense, but I love your blog! xo
admin
2 May, 2012 at 2:25 pmYes, absolutely understand! It helps to put a feeling and visual knowledge to a place – and to know your daughter would likely be very safe and happy here. So pleased you are enjoying the blog – and best of luck to your daughter.
Gryph Rhydr
1 May, 2012 at 4:58 pmi see a trail of blocks down the centre of many of the streets – were these put in later to fill what had been a gutter? do you know the origin? i love the photo where that line doesn’t curve exactly with the buildings/main passage way.
admin
1 May, 2012 at 5:34 pmGood question, I’m not sure. I assume they would have been put there later and it could possibly have been to fill in a gutter. I will have to find out!
admin
2 May, 2012 at 2:27 pmCourtesy of my wonderful friend, Silke:
1) These “filling stones” were quite often put in later (after you could get rid of a gutter due to other sanitary possibilities) in a lot of cities, not just in Germany.
2) It is not always a gutter that is filled, but also a thing to interrupt the area of cobblestones and give it structure
kendrafowler
2 May, 2012 at 7:51 amSuch a pretty place! Love the curved and narrow streets and it all looks like a town from a Fairy tale..Especially the Hansel and Gretel house (first pic)!
mandaray
3 May, 2012 at 3:06 amOh wow. I want to live in that park. It’s so beautiful.
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