I made a little trip to Mannheim as it’s one of Swansea’s partner universities – meaning that there are a few Erasmus students from my year there, so visits were required! I organised it a bit off the cuff really, because I knew I wouldn’t do anything at all if I didn’t organise something! Decided to travel via Mitfahrgelegenheit as it’s far cheaper than getting a train!
Mitfahrgelegenheit basically translates to a lift! I love how sometimes the German word is ridiculously long compared to its English translation! Anyway, the deal with a Mitfahrgelegenheit is that people offer lifts via this website – so say I was to travel from Cologne to Berlin… I’d put an advert on the website detailing the dates, times, stops etc. and then people can contact me to reserve a spot in the car. You pay a little bit of money, but it generally ends up being a lot cheaper than getting the train. Kind of like pre-arranged hitchhiking!

I had to travel to Cologne for my first Mitfahrgelegenheit, and got to go on one of the DOUBLE DECKER TRAINS!!! I remember getting ridiculously excited when I saw them in Berlin and ridiculously excited again when I got on one on the way from Cologne to Dortmund… New things are exciting! This leg of the journey was free because of my Semester Pass, so all in all, I paid just under 30 euros to get to Mannheim and back. Pretty nifty I think! Initially, I had a few ‘ooh is this safe’ thoughts, but it’s a pretty sound system, clearly very popular and works really well.
I met Cara and Ed at the Hauptbahnhof and we headed back to their halls. Ate at this fab Italian restaraunt and I had Pizza. Again. I never thought I’d eat so much pizza in my life! I do live above a Pizzeria though… two in fact… I’m going to be so sick of Pizza by the end of this year aren’t I? Either that, or really really tubby. Pizza fat! Or I’ll just smell of salami and cheese all the time…

So after Pizza, a few drinks at the local student hangout where I saw my first two instances of SOCKS AND SANDALS since arriving in Germany. I don’t know if it should count though as it was a part of fancy dress… Humm, I’ll take a win where I can get one!
The next day I got to explore not only Mannheim, but Heidelberg too. I thought Mannheim was pretty, though Cara told me that not many people do, though I pointed out that people don’t think Dortmund’s that pretty either. The best comparison back home really is the way people see Cardiff and Swansea; Swansea’s not as pretty and shiny as Cardiff (except for the Mumbles and that), but I love the place to bits. Sure, I grew up in Cardiff, but Swansea has this wonderful homely feel and an atmosphere that makes it perfect for a student city. I’m inclined to think that Dortmund is in the same mould as Swansea : not super pretty, but it’s home and you love it lumps and all.
Off topic now! So! One thing that Mannheim trumps Dortmund in is in the ‘prettiest University’ category…

…but Mannheim has no Monorail, so nyer nyer nyer! But it does have REALLY CREEPY STATUES. Cara found it hilarious that I was so freaked out by them – yes, I’m a wuss, but ever since I saw that Doctor Who episode ‘Blink’, I can’t quite shake that creepy feeling I get from statues. Blank staring eyes, weird poses… uurrrghhh. It seemed as though Mannheim Uni was out to freak me out, with a corridor FULL OF BLOODY STATUES!!
That would be Cara mocking me because I wouldn’t step into said corridor. Freaky stuff…. but that wasn’t all! I get outside and notice the faces carveed above the arches…
ARE YOU TRYING TO FREAK ME OUT MANNHEIM UNIVERSITY?
SERIOUSLY NOW!
…ahem. Honestly though, I liked Mannheim, it was lovely, and the University was gorgeous. I had a hard time imagining studying there because it was so regal and grand.
I think Heidelberg deserves a post by itself because it was so pretty (and there was only one creepy statue involved, huzzah!)