A Day Out

Too Many Plates In Your Hands

Making a trip to this part of the world is not an easy one; time and money. So, like all wise men, you tend to make decisions that may seem too much to cope. Yet...the spirit is indeed willing and the flesh rose up to the occasion.
Having colleague Rahizam and family in Frankfurt gave us reason to travel from Heidelberg to meet her on a day trip; an hour's drive away. But the ambitious heart wanted more than that; to visit a factory outlet before Frankfurt. We reckoned time was aplenty in our palms; later to realise that indeed time is gold.

We rented a car which ferried the 6 of us from county Heidelberg to the outskirts which apparently bordered the famous Black Forest. The driver avoided the autobahn to give us a feel of the European countryside so popularly appreciated.


But alas, the trees were bald and the landscape dry and arid; a result of the season. Traces of green however were spotted here and there; when you think the trees have died they actually come alive with a new season; a scenario which people from tropical lands hardly witness.

We noticed the well swept and kept roads and surrounding areas. So pleasant to the eye and the cool weather complemented it.

At a high point, the view was as usual; panoramic overlooking roof tops and trees.

The 6 of us could not resist a shot here but to our horror we were rudely treated to a gasps of 'dung' air... we wondered how the farmers go through their daily chores without being affected by it. You get used to things; don't you?


Yes, we heard about this village; the Wertheim factory outlet where branded goods were at their best prices and quotations; and rightly so. It is confirmed that Long champ bags are at the best prices here.

Big parking lots are available for throngs of visitors; but we did not meet any huge crowd. It must have been the weekday.

Open spaces for expected crowds and beautifully kept.

When 5 women get together like this; anything can happen; strange but true the only male with us gave himself a great treat too; Nike, Puma and the lot.

I could not but help associate this village to the one we have in Kulai, Malaysia. I must say it has the exact concept, look and setup with one major difference; the weather. Here in Europe you walk along the pave ways without fear of heat and sweat. It was indeed cold and the blowing wind did not help. But it is better than shopping under great heat as in back home. In Kulai, the brands may differ too but most are the same. Here they concentrate on European and some American goods but not the Coach family.

We spent 3 hours here and rushed for our next destination; Frankfurt, a 2 hour journey away.

We reached Frankfurt late; 6 pm. Not much of a time to do much but we squeezed in whatever time and opportunity we had...super kiasu.

Frankfurt is different; we could sense it. Many Asian tourists are seen here; Koreans, Japanese and Chinese. It is definitely a popular place for many.

The casual set up here lures tourists and it offers many food, entertainment and shopping outlets. But it is a hassle to look for a place to pee; I learn that it is a practice to pay for a visit to a local toilet even if it is a MC Cafe kind of outlet. Unlike in Malaysia we have ample toilet facilities along highways and byways; free of charge. So there are good practices in Malaysia too.

We finally met up with Rahizam and family outside a food outlet for dinner.

Dato Sabri in the cnetre, spouse to Rahizam is a generous host and did us a great favour by calling in the Bernama representive to write our story in Germany.

The interrogation was brief but thorough and the principal voiced out her dreams and visions for the school. We were pleasantly surprised that the news came out on Star Online the very next day before we even left Germany. My colleague commented that it was a move unheard of; that's what you can get when you have friends...

Frankfurt by night with her branded outlets and ethos is magical. It was a pity we had only very little time here; not enough. But at least we got to see the place.

Faraway up in the sky shone the alphabets SARAR but it sounded SARA and the principal told me to shoot it as it reminded us of my daughter in London. She was so near and yet so far; there was this sudden nostalgia to see her. But I did not want to; she had too many challenges in her hand. I did not visit her. But she is surely etched in my heart each day as I remember her.

So much for the day out; tired but well done.