We’ve seen the first signs of spring in Freiburg! The forsythia is in full bloom and the daffodils and violets scattering the green of Freiburg are opening. I took advantage of the gorgeous weather, walking to class and running along the river and lake.
Wednesday was a long day! I woke around 5:30 am for a class trip to Geneva, Switzerland. There, we met with officials and economists about the activities of the United Nations on Trade and Development, the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, and the World Trade Organization.
I found the program to be long and overly simple; we did not get to talk about complicated, “hot” issues such as the no fly zone in Libya or the trade effects on Japan with respect to the current crisis.
However, we did eat an unbelievable lunch at the UN. The cafeteria is over-the-top in every respect! I had duck with bamboo shoots and rice, but you could also have food from one of the other 10 lines offered. When we left, each student was given a glossy folder, pamphlets, and over 50 loose pages to take with them on the UN. I know what the UN spends their money on….
We had a few hours, really only 1½ hours, to explore downtown Geneva, Switzerland. These Swiss know luxury! Geneva is the most expensive city in Switzerland and the 4th most expensive city in the world. It was gorgeous, in every respect, with fountains, flowers, art nouveau architecture, and more.
You found only the most expensive designers for clothes, shoes, watches, etc.- Chanel, Armani, Celine, Omega, Rolex…. I saw so many Lamborghinis, Bentleys, and ridiculously expensive luxury cars. After our short downtown time in Geneva, we made the 5-hour trip back to Freiburg. I wish we had more time to explore, but I’m glad I’ll be going back to Switzerland, to the lesser expensive cities Lucerne and Zurich!
Since our European Union program has kept us busy traveling and working, I decided I needed a “time-out” in Baden-Baden, Germany. Baden-Baden is a high-class resort town in the northern part of the Black Forest. The city was Germany’s grandest 19th- century spa resort, where royalty and aristocrats would come to soak in the mineral baths and play at the casino. It was the perfect place to unwind and enjoy myself!
When I arrived Saturday, I took Rick Steve’s self-guided walk to the grand casino built in the 1850’s, Trinkhalle, the Catholic Church built atop the emperor’s spa, the Marktplatz, around the Baths Area, and more! The Catholic Church, built above a spa, has a musty smell and the floor stones conduct heat from the water below. It was really interesting to go there! I wouldn’t have known about it if Rick didn’t tell me!
Near the Baths Area is a water spigot called the Fettquelle, where you could taste the hot spa water. It didn’t taste that great, but it once was a source of hot water for locals.
I strolled along the same street where Mark Twain, Russian princes, and other famous people stayed when they visited Baden-Baden. Also, I meandered through Lichtentaler Allee, along the Oosbach River, past mansions, tiny footbridges, tennis and botchee ball courts, and flowers. It was beautiful!
Back near the town center, I ate at Café König, “the place” to bring your poodle and people watch. I enjoyed tea, served on a silver tray, a zucchini omelet, and the BEST black forest chocolate cake (chocolate mousse was a layer of the cake).
Afterwards, I made my way to the hilltop that overlooks Baden-Baden. Unfortunately, the funicular to the Summit of Merkur was closed in March. So, I took a “mini-hike” through the Black Forest and walked through “Paradise,” the high-rent district of Baden-Baden.
All of this led up to my desire to visit Baden-Baden, for the rejuvenating Roman-Irish Bath, Freidrichsbad. Freidrichsbad is “the place” to get pampered.
Marble, painted tiles, brass columns, stained-glass windows, and other elegance surrounds you. The entire 17-step process is about 3 hours, complete with steam rooms, cold baths, warm baths, whirlpools, a brush massage, crème, heated towels, and a sleeping chamber.
The attendants made sure you were relaxed and had everything you needed; they even tucked you in the sleeping chamber! I could do it over and over again. It was wonderful, relaxing, and rejuvenating! 
To end the night, I enjoyed a recommended cozy restaurant Weinstube. The trout with almonds and leeks melted in my mouth! It was a wonderful way to end my fantastic trip to Baden-Baden.Next week, I will be taking a trip with Andy Steves, president of Weekend Student Adventures and Rick Steve’s son, to Barcelona, Spain. Should be quite a different pace, but exciting nonetheless!
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