Giant skyscrapers, packed trams, buses and people hustling to catch up for hard pressed time (only to find them sipping a pitcher of beer with their buddies :)) typifies this happening city of Germany - Frankfurt. Known to be the financial hub, second to London in Europe, Frankfurt is the destination that generates quite a proportion of jobs for Germans and the foreign population. First impressions of a multi-cultural community can make you conclude it possesses the attributes of lion city in the east. After frequenting almost every weekend to the city either for travel outside or just lounging around, I beg to differ. Despite all the modernized outfit that the city manifests on you, the element of history has not waned out. Opera houses of the 60s, ancient churches, monuments coexist with the tall commercial banks in the heart of city. Some of these pre-historic structures are refurbished in a way that they still retain the artisans' touches of that time.
On a chilly weekend, I 'd met up with my german boss Patrick for a drink. We went to this restaurant ('Wagner' if I remember), popular for its apple wine served in a porcelain vessel. I heard the waiters here carry a lot of pride wearing the suit and serving the wine. Portraits of celebrities like Nicholas Cage dining here can be seen mounted on the walls. Asking for beer in this setting can evoke funny reactions...'Hey...c'mon...don't be a kid! You are here for better'.
Just as we were exchanging stories of our life, a bunch of guys gathered at the adjoining table. One of the guys had a bouquet of roses and all the talk centred on him...Patrick told me an interesting story behind this roses culture. Usually, a few Indians here in Germany sell roses door to door to make a living. This guy was getting married the next day. To celebrate the last day of bachelorhood, he was to sell those roses and out of the money earnt, go partying with friends later in the night.
With due respect to all this culture, we kicked off the wine party!
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