h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You're in as a "definite" SF.

Look forward to meeting you!

Thanks.

I'm not *definite definite yet, but will do everything in my power to be there, so I guess I *am* *definite definite, after all...

I've moved the from "definite" to "not sure" but only provisionally.

OK, facts - I had a look at costs and available funds...



But there are too many "problables" for me to say " If I give up you´ll be allowed to give up".

Let´s not count heads before April 24 - and only one head each, no cheating.

all.

Have you tried Couchsurfing and Mitfahrzentrale?

TC, thanks for the tip - but rather not.
I used to feel very safe and happy on racetracks, but I get itchy in a car chauffeured by someone I don´t know.
Thanks all the same - your idea might get a few more hootizens to the meet.

I'm a definite. Just working out logistics.

Have to get a flight to Frankfurt, then train to Mannheim, and a hotel. Shall wait on that until I know if others are staying in a hotel, as my German extends as far as 'Ich bin ein Kartoffelsalat'. So I could be getting there slowly, and be very hungry!!!

Probably fly in Friday lunchtime, depart Sunday afternoon! Times are flexible.



Prost

MMF

Great news MMF!! See if you can get a flight that lands about the same time as Gnomon's.

Oh. Have just read other thread. You'd prefer to fly on the Friday.

Only because it makes my travel arrangements easier, and I don't have to worry about rushing, which I can't do anyway. Maybe I could return to Frankfurt at the same time though?

MMF

My flight home from Frankfurt is late on Sunday evening (9pm or so). So I will travel from Mannheim to Frankfurt in the late afternoon, and then I'll hang around the airport for hours.

I can find plenty for you to do in Mannheim to make the Sunday less of a waste of time.

If the weather's not too brilliant, there's the Reiss Museum, which has an exhibition of Alexander the Great's travels and doings (unfortunately, that finishes this month). In April there will be has an exhibition of 19th Century photographs of Greece, one on the Berlin Wall and, in keeping with its tradition of showing very recent finds, one on the peoples who lived in the steppe beyond Alexander's route. All that apart from the usual exhibits.

There is also a huge Science and Technology Museum, which, on checking the website, seems to have become more of a hands-on interactive place since I went there last when my children were small.

Otherwise, Mannheim is a stone's throw from several wine-growing areas, or from famous places like Worms, Heidelberg (both a little too far for a short trip, compared with what's on offer) or Speyer, which would be doable. I can wax lyrical on Speyer for hours, but have a look for yourself on Wikipedia or http://www.speyer.de/de/tourist/sehenswert-en

The town of Mannheim itself has enough to keep anyone busy for a day, (palaces, churches, the architecture of the residential areas, parks, art galleries, theatres, cinemas and cafes) which we won't manage to see on the Saturday. And all within walking distance of the station.
With trains departing hourly for Frankfurt Airport, there's no need to leave so early!