Next stop was Stuttgart, the home of Mercedes Benz and Porsche. The main city area had a lengthy pedestrianized street, linking in with the city Castle and huge open garden space. The garden space was crowed with locals having picnics and enjoying the sunny weather.
Both of us were in need of a haircut. After passing half a dozen super expensive hairdressing salons a reasonable one was found off the main drag. Kat was able to use some german to convey what she wanted done. Unfortunately my german is limited to the words for "pig" and "thankyou" so I found a magazine and did a bit of pointing. Result = two pretty good haircuts!
Stuttgart city centre
City gardens - people chilling out
Traditional ravioli in broth and cheesy noodles with crispy onion (Stuttgart specialties)
The Mercedes Benz museum proved to be quite a surprise. Firstly, learning that Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler were at the forefront of the actual invention of the motorcar. Secondly, the fact that we spent almost 3 hours viewing the car exhibits. The exhibits where set out on 7 levels, a pathway spiraling down to each lower floor was lined with story boards showing world events through time. We found the storyboards great as they helped get a feel for what was happening in the world through the years of Mercedes cars.
The exhibits showed that Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler were initially competitors and had their own initial ideas for the original motorcars. After WWI the German economy had been in a rapid downturn and the two companies joined together to survive. One of Daimlers clients who had bought many cars requested that he produce a faster car for motorsport, Daimler did so and this car was named "Mercedes" after the clients daughter.
Benz & Daimler Cars through the ages
One of the first double decker buses used in London
Mercedes Benz racing models
Mercedes concept car
The Mercedes Benz museum - The layout inside was impressive!
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