Although the access to produce and good wine was a perk, my favorite part was brunch at a local cafe followed by a walk down at the river. My best memories from the whole semester involved spending time at the river Rhine with my friends, new and old.
The street signs are painted red or blue to indicate which direction the Rhine lies. These signs date from Roman times when the fire brigade needed to get to the river quickly for water.
The signs make it easy to navigate the direction you are walking even if you are unfamiliar with the area. The ability to walk everywhere was incredible. It is not like anywhere in the South where you need a car to get everywhere. Most of the cities are accessible with public transportation making travel a breeze.
The landscape surrounding Mainz includes rolling hills, flatlands around the city, and river views in most places. These views can even be seen from the Opel Arena where the local professional Fußball team plays.
I watched the men’s German National Team play the men’s Estonian National Team. The German national team scored five goals. It was a great experience to be a part of a winning crowd.
After the game, there were bands and organized chants under the stands to celebrate the victory. Although it is rare for the Germans to show excessive national pride, sporting events generate it.
Before I left Mainz, I returned to all of my favorite places. I visited the oldest ice cream shop in the city. I went to Johannisnacht (a festival/ large party to celebrate Mainz’s history), had drinks at my favorite Irish pub, and saw one last performance at the Staatstheater.
These unique experiences can only be found in smaller cities in Germany. German operas and plays are performed in addition to English language productions.
The region offers many opportunities for day trips if the city becomes boring. One can easily visit Bonn, Heidelberg, or Wiesbaden after a short journey by train.
But the weekend culture, the active university life, and the relaxed nature of the people make Mainz the ideal place to visit, study or live. I would recommend the city to anyone who wishes to spend a weekend, or even a semester, seeing one of the most beautiful areas in Germany.