Mannheim

May 3, 2014

After seeing dozens and dozens of signs advertising the Mannheim Markt we decided we really should check it out.

So, we did.

After a long drive and the fluster if finding out where to park we finally made it in.
Immediately we find ourselves surrounded by African goods, food, and music. Definitely a little confused, but super hungry we went to a good looking shack with meat on skewers and a delicious smell wafting from it.

I ordered a little bit of everything.
Well everything was ice cold despite being in what looked like warmers and all the meat being grilled just outside the shack. And it was rather costly.
Bummer. Well it was the first time we blindly tried something and regretted it.
Bleh

As we continued through the market we realized we were in the African portion of it. There was a lot more there to see. A large tent with all sort of toys and fun things as well as a candy hut and farm animal tent.
Those were the highlights. Everything else was like a trade show selling tractors, windows, kitchen appliances etc.

We bought a yummy strawberry treat and then made our way out.

Definitely not the most exciting thing we've done so far, but now we know we're not missing anything.

After the market we headed to the Technomuseum.

Now finding exactly where to park in Deutschland can be a challenge every time you leave the house. And while we thought we were in the right place, it turns out the road I took lead directly to the concrete patio at the bottom of the stairs of the museum...its hard to explain but let just say I was on the opposite side of the marble barriers that keep cars out....oops

The museum had 5 or 6 different levels. Starting at the top you make a somewhat spiral downward through all the exhibits.

Most everything was hands on...except for the things with tiny plaques in German that said do not touch...which we didn't notice until it was too late...oops again

There was a lot to do here. And it was really fun. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

After a fun day at the museum we decided to top it off with our very first trip to IKEA.

Now I don't blame anyone but I feel someone should have told me that this would be a mistake.

The cool parts were the free daycare for the kids. Which had toys, a ball pit, lots of friends, all in a very cool treehouse themed play area. The other bonus is that we were able to find a small kitchen island for the microwave. Which added more counter space, two shelves and two draws to my tiny kitchen.

Now the crappy part.

In order to get out VAT form (a system to not pay the 19% tax) filled about it was about an hour wait. That sucked. And then we headed upstairs to eat. 

Of course we tried the meatballs. Why wouldn't we?

They were pretty good.

I like my family's recipe better...just saying.

Here comes the part where someone should have warned me.

Once you go up stairs you cannot leave without walking through the entire (and I mean ENTIRE store again) its a warehouse for crying out loud. So after our day of walking through the Mannheim Market, the 5 story museum, and IKEA once already, we had to walk it all over again....the store itself is like 2 miles.

Yes, I'm whining.

It was a long day and IKEA was like torture.

I'm glad I got what I needed because I will most likely never be going back.

Overall, hooray Mannheim was fun. Next time I'm taking the train.