Rhine on Fire

Last weekend was "Rhine in Flammen," a festival held every year the first weekend in May along the river. I had been told that there would be fireworks on Saturday night. And, being a sucker for a good fireworks display, planned our trip to Alsace to be home in time.

We packed a picnic dinner, which — because it's perfectly acceptable in Germany to drink in public — included a few new beers to try along with some incredible stinky but delicious cheese that we bought in France; threw everything into the baskets of our bikes; and headed to the river around 8:30.

In the U.S., fireworks displays generally begin around 9:30, 10:00 at the latest. I assumed that we'd get to the park, have something to eat, see the fireworks, and be home no later then 11:00. Apparently, I'm still not used to how late is stays light here.

When we got to the river we were completely amazed by the number of people. Both banks were lined with people — thousands of people. And it looked like people had been partying all day. As it grew darker people along the banks started lighting bon fires. Then, around 11:00 the boats started floating past, each light up like a Christmas tree. Also, red flares were lit on both sides of the river, which truly gave off the effect that the Rhine was in flames.

The whole thing was enough to make me think that that was the main even. Perhaps I misunderstood what "fireworks" were in German. Yet, an impressive fireworks display followed. For me though, the coolest part of the evening was going home at 11:30 P.M. and getting stuck in a bicycle traffic jam!