Lebendiger Neckar

It really felt like summer this weekend (hence the sunglasses!). The sun finally came back out and it was a weekend of festivities to mark 'Lebendiger Neckar', or Living Neckar. That meant that all along the river between Mannheim and Eberbach there were events taking place.

Here in Neckargemünd there was 'Menzer Park Fest' in one of the local parks, with the main event being Saturday night when everyone gathered to listen to live music and pig out on things such as burgers, sausages, doughnuts and waffles from one of the many food and drink stands. I did intend to go, but having been in Heidelberg most of the day, headed back to my flat to get changed and have some dinner and then just as I left to go to Menzer Park Fest it started to rain and I decided that a evening in eating chocolate and watching The Thick of It was preferable...The rain got pretty heavy in the end so I think I made a good decision. Unfortunately there wasn't quite the same atmosphere when I went to see what was going on today - probably everyone who was there last night was too hungover to be out in Neckargemünd this morning, and that meant it was only small children and a few elderly people who were dancing along to the band that was playing. Needless to say, I didn't hang around long. 

Also taking place today here was Orientfest, where there were a few stalls selling Middle Eastern style food, clothes and other items, as well as a stage where local dance schools were performing. I went along because Joanne's daughter is part of a belly dancing and tribal dance group. Here is a photo from their performance:

It was interesting to see a dancing style that I haven't really seen before, apparently it is quite popular here. I was a bit shocked to see one of the women start belly dancing on the tables during her performance, but hey, she seemed to be enjoying herself.

I didn't stay in Neckargemünd too long, because there wasn't much more to see in all honesty. Instead I headed into Heidelberg, and as expected there was a lot more going on. 

Here on the Neckarwiese there were people EVERYWHERE, and loads of stalls selling things or promoting local schools and businesses, as well as hundreds of food and drink stands. It was a really nice atmosphere because there were areas set up with tables and chairs and people were all just sitting together eating and chatting. There were dance performances taking place here too; I stood at the streetdance stage for about 15 minutes and some of it was really impressive. There was also a ramp set up by the river for cyclists who wanted to do jumps into the river, and another group were doing rope gymnastics above the river which was cool to watch. I attempted to get a photo but you can't see very well.

I would loved to have gone into Mannheim to see what was taking place there too. As it's a much bigger city there probably would have been more to see. Unfortunately I didn't really think about it until too late, but I definitely have to get to Mannheim before I leave, apparently it's good for shopping too! Nevertheless, it was  still nice to have another weekend soaking up the sun in Heidelberg; I don't think I'll ever get bored of it. I really couldn't have asked to end up in a nicer location.