Frankfurt – 29 May 2024

Got to Frankfurt after an uneventful 11-hour flight from SFO. (Other than being on the “screaming infant” flight, but there’s nothing to be done about that.) I’m only staying overnight before heading to Berlin, but didn’t want a four-hour train ride on the same day as the flight. Here are some pictures of the rather small room at the hotel:

What is that handle on the bed’s headboard?

The door handle for the mini-refrigerator!

Nice to have a safe in the room.

I’d hate to have to carry my suitcase up these stairs if the elevator were to break down.

Here’s the view out the window: the police outpost at the main train station. Luckily, the soundproofing is incredibly good.

The area around the train station is a bit sketchy, as evidenced by this sign that forbids weapons between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. (I guess that means it’s a free-for-all at all other times.)

X through pictures of a knife, brass knuckles, pistol, and mace

Weapons Forbidden Zone - 20:00 to 5:00

Walking Around

Once settled at the hotel, I decided to go walking around. I had asked someone at the airport about which metro ticket to buy, and he told me. He also suggested that I see the Römer, an old-city part of Frankfurt.

On the way there, I passed a Personnel and Operations Office for the city and saw these wonderful window displays:

I particularly liked this sequence; the word “Held” in the last panel means “hero”.

Some pictures near Willy Brandt Plaza.

According to this, the number of stars has nothing to do with the number of EU countries.

And the Römer area:

display of EU, German, Israeli, and Ukrainian flags

There’s a political statement if I’ve ever seen one...

A fountain beset by tourists wanting selfies/social media hits, I guess.

Nobody was taking pictures of this statue.

Elegant silver frame; the “canvas” is filled with graffiti.

The title of this work is “Beauty”

This guy is Friedrich Stoltze, a writer and editor. I will probably tire rapidly of taking photos of statues of old dead white dudes, so don’t expect to see many more.

carved figure graoning while supporting cornice

Lots of people were taking pictures at the front of the Frankfurter Dom (Cathedral), but there were some interesting photos on the sides and at the back.

I recognize the Ten Commandments, Moses & the burning bush, and the sacrifice of Isaac. The others, I got no clue.

Die Wahl (The Election)

There’s an election for the EU Parliament on 9 June, so there are posters all over the place.

Germany’s strongest voice for Europe / Olaf Scholz and Katarina Barley (SPD - Social Democrats)

Those who must flee must find protection! (The Left Party)

“War or Peace? You have the choice now.” Well, that makes everything simple, doesn’t it?

A generic get-out-the-vote poster: European Election 9 June 2024 - Use Your Voice

This poster is from the Links (Left) party. The saying “Justice is only possible with the left hand“ apparently comes from the statues of blindfolded Lady Justice, who holds the scales in her left hand.