14 July 2010
Posted in Sights and Sounds

As I open my living-room window, I hear a bellow coming from a loud speaker and cheering from the park.  Later I will stroll over to this family day of the Draisinnen Rennen racing; celebration of the pushing, spinning and two-wheel variety of the early time bicycle. This event is taking place in the music quarter of our neighbourhood with streets named after composers: Richard-Wagner, Bach and Schubert.

Sunday brunch today is a fritter made with root celeriac and potato, served with roasted cherry tomatoes on their vine. After brunch I walk a mere 200 meters for the start of the 'race with tailcoats'-- here ladies and gentlemen are dressed in subdued coloured vintage clothing. It is more like pagentry of smiles than an event of rapidness, nonetheless very entertaining. There's a touch of class to this Sunday event: wine sampling from our neighbouring wine makers; sounds of a modern jazz quartett; women of all ages are engaged in a hat contest with their trinkets and feathers. 

A history of inventions have developed from our clever neighbourhood here in Karlsruhe-- which incidentally had breed a few Karls over these past few centuries.  Inventors: Karl Drais's creation of the wooden bike (without pedals), which is also known as the dandy horse; Karl Benz, the inventor of the first motorised car, and who we know today as the luxurious Mercedes-Benz; Karl Wilhelm, the Margrave of Baden-Durlach to whom the city of Karlsruhe is named after.