As I mentioned in the previous post, I was impressed with the size of the Leipzig Hbf and the ease of grabbing a tram to my Airbnb. My host gave excellent directions and he greeted me on the plaza in front of a massive Stalinist neo-classical building, behind which stood my beautifully renovated 1862 apartment building.

The Airbnb was the nicest one in which I’ve stayed in over 6 years of traveling to Europe. Spotlessly clean and superbly equipped, it’s going to be a fantastic home base for the next three days.

My host showed me suggested biking routes, recommended restaurants and shops and showed me the flat’s bikes. He and his girlfriend have bought several old apartments in the historic core. Leipzig is less expensive than the rest of Germany but is currently experiencing a mini-boom. It’s a hidden gem, and my first impressions are high.

After a little orientation stroll, I ate al fresco at Macis, which is also connected to a premium grocery and wine shop. I stocked up on some supplies since virtually everything will be closed for the May 1 national holiday. I had two delicious dishes, one of which was a sea bass ceviche. I also tried a dry Riesling recommended by my server, one not available abroad.

On the way back to my place, I snapped a few pictures of the streetscape. It was twilight and there was a rock concert in the park adjoining Martin Luther Ring, which circles the central core. In Germany it’s common for people to walk around with beer bottles in hand and the police presence is minimal. Unlike the US, I’ve never seen bottles broken on the streets the next morning. It’s a very different urban experience, as travelers to Europe are aware.

Tomorrow should see a high of 78 F. I’m looking forward to exploring the city and its famous cultural landmarks and historic churches and perhaps taking a long bike ride in the afternoon. Leipzig has a rich cultural history as the home of Bach and Friedrich Schiller. It was also the epicenter of mass peaceful protests that played a large role in the collapse of the DDR in late 1989.