Moerfelden-Walldorf, Germany

Moerfelden has a very special place in my heart because it is the first place I had been when I first visited Germany in 1998. I also stayed there for a very long time from 1998-2001. Here, I met some interesting and warm Germans and got to see the difference between the East and the West.

The very first characteristic that amazed me about this village, well like all other places in Europe for that matter, is the ORDER. Everything seems to be in order. The people, whoever they are, follow the rules and regulations regardless of the absence of authorites in uniform. For example, a one-way street (einbahnstrasse) is a one way street and no one is exempted from that rule, NOT even the motorbikes. This is so untrue in Manila or in any other place in the Philippines. Drivers follow religiously the traffic rules---traffic lights, signs, when and where to overtake, lanes and parking. Pedestrians are well respected, which is so untrue also in Manila.

Another characteristic of this place which struck me is the "silence." I never heard of any screaming bar, house or restaurants in the area. There are a very few loud cars, but it's really rare. Construction of any sort, even poking nails on the wall, is not allowed on Sundays so as not to disturb people who are resting on that day. That's a good ordinance! I wish they'd implement the same in Manila.

In addition, you will not see any huge billboards of any politician anywhere! Hello TRAPOS! You won't see any smiling face with beard on the sidewalks, a painted wall saying it's a project of this corrupt mayor, or a shade saying it's a project of this violent congressman and so on. But people know the right candidate to vote for and they know who in the government are doing their job well.

Walldorf is a village adjacent to Moerfelden. Though I stayed much longer in Moerfelden and met more people there, I will be posting pictures of Walldorf here.

The center of Walldorf contains an old church which dates back during its establishment. It may not be as grand as the other churches, but its bell tower is typical of that region. I never had the chance to see the inside of this small church, though. Opposite to this church is another old building which shows the architecture typical to that area.

It also has some parks and a lake which serves as a recreation area for the people of Walldorf and other nearby towns. In May, a festival is hosted in which patrons can taste the fresh catch from the lake specially prepared by the local restaurant.

I had the chance to walk around the lake one early morning to watch the birds doing their morning rituals. On a very rare occasion, I saw a woodpecker boring hole into an old pine tree.

Due to its proximity to Franfurt International Airport, restaurants and hotels also abound in Walldorf. Restaurants serve local (Hessen), German, Greek, Yugoslavian, Chinese, Korean and Italian cuisines.