Heidelberg

It's our last day in Germany--hence the last day of this extended EuroRamble--and what better place to spend it than in the lovely town of Heidelberg? Tomorrow we depart from Frankfurt airport and head back to the States.

The most outstanding feature of Heidelberg is its magnificent castle overlooking the city. Town lore says that Napoleon tried to destroy this tower but gave up after repeated attempts. 

Now despite the eternal loveliness of this city it should be noted that there was universal alarm at its condition compared to a few years ago when the American areas were occupied. The larger US Army buildings and installations from that era are still there, but they are either run-down and unoccupied or used to house illegal immigrants. In both cases they are in utterly disastrous shape. In addition to their dilapidated condition they are used for the horrific graffiti that is now found almost everywhere in Heidelberg. 

The extent of the graffiti is shocking to many visitors, myself included, who remember the old Germany. There is even graffiti in the old city center--enough to rival the slums in run-down parts of American cities. What a sad loss.