Not Exactly the 4th of July

We saw a few flags on the 4th here in Germany, but not many as I assume most Americans were waving them on the military bases during those celebrations. We were not allowed so we ventured to Heidelberg to see if anything was happening, because if there was it was sure to happen there. I still had a sore throat and was on anti-biotics but could not imagine just sitting home on that day, so I became the DD for our twosome and we started in the Altstadt of Heidelberg with dinner at Supan's. It was delicious and the weather had cooled off a bit so we had a nice meal outside watching the passer-bys.
TJ got to drink and I was jealous.


We wandered through the art fair/exhibition that was happening throughout the Altstadt and made our way toward the castle to see what was happening. It was a big fat nothing so we went to towards the old bridge and the river where we finally found some action. It wasn't American action...rather a German festival called Bruckenfest (Bridges Festival). There was a band that played old American songs and lots of food and beer. Here is the band area from the bridge.

The band was horrible, but they were having fun so it was a little contagious. In Augusta, there is is the best band called Last Chance that played at our First Friday functions and they would kill here! I think they might be celebrities if they played the festival circuit here because they play the same music, but at a much higher level. Any way the confusing part was at the end of the set they dedicated a song to their American friends for the 4th..."Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" by Peter, Paul, and Mary. Not Neil Diamond or Bruce Springsteen, but Peter, Paul, and Mary. It was an interesting performance.

After they were finished we waited. Waited for fireworks of course! I had read a rumor online that Heidelberg has fireworks to honor their American friends and I was determined it was true...and it wasn't. They do have fireworks 3 times in the summer, but it is only during the castle lighting. The castle lighting is next weekend as well as the MJ Memorial Party so we will have to wait for our fireworks. It was still a fun night though, but certainly not the same as being in the US.

Auf Wiedersehen!