Well, it is 2:40 a.m. on Monday August 7th and I am now sitting in the Fraport waiting for the Delta window to open. I did a lot today (Sunday). I had a scrumptious breakfast at the Türken. It is such a delightful atmosphere there. I regret that the weather was not better. there was about another 4 hrs. worth of stuff to photograph. But I had to make my way to Zweibrücken.
First, I walked all around downtown, around the Schloßplatz and past the Alexanderkirche and then down part of the Fußgangerzone. Then I went to the old air base. the Germans appear all to happy to rid themselves of the American presence there. the buildings that have not been torn down yet or re-appropriated have all the windows busted out or shattered. The gate area is still the same layout. The quarters behind the gate is now the Europa apartment hotel. The ice complex/Bavarian Inn(BI) is right where it used to be. Both chapels are intact and one that I know of has been re-appropriated for services. I inadvertently walked onto apparently private property to photograph one of the chapel’s. Whoops! The occupants quickly shut the gate. I tried to find the clinic but could only guess. the old Stars and Stripes building has been removed along with miscellaneous buildings on the main “strip” and is now open space. Part of the “La Hacienda” has been made into some kind of club/hangout. The other half still looks abandoned. The door still has an old AAFES hours sign on it and the back still has an old La Hacienda sign on it. I found the old BX/Laundry/Four Seasons right beside it. The layout of everything is the same. The “pipe” man is gone and has been “de-limbed” for a more normal appearance.
Downtown, I found the old French housing and the school where I started the 3rd grade with Mrs. Osterman. Then I drove to Mauschbach and photographed some of the buildings, including the old house. Can’t drive into town the same way right now as the bridge is having work done on it. Had to take a back road into Hornbach and then around. It is now apparent why all the reconstruction. There are new roads being built to connect the towns with Zweibrücken through the old air base. It also gives a good airport connection, where one can fly to Berlin for €19.
Well, that’s pretty much the end of this trip. However, I still must finish my paper. Well, God-willing, in 24 hours, I will be back home!!!!