There was a certain crispness to the air that night. I slept with my window open, curling up in the small, fluffy blanket on my bed. Unfortunately, I was sick and felt so bad for bringing my illness into my host family’s home, but they were so kind and understanding. Beate gave me some medicine and got me into the habit of drinking hot tea every morning. It was refreshing. We awoke to a huge spread for breakfast. Because it was a Sunday, we had soft boiled eggs set primly in their cups; a small spoon sat next to it. There were plates of sliced meats, such as salami, sausages, and spreadable meats, as well as various cheeses. There was a basket of breads tucked in a dish towel. Marmalades, that my host dad, Heinrich, made from the fruit trees in the backyard, adorned the table. There was so much food, I found I had a difficult time eating a lot. I inhaled the steam from my tea, sweetened with honey. Beate told me I could stay home while they went to Herkules (the way it is spelled in Kassel) and rest. I did not care how sick I was; I was not missing one of the most well-known attractions of this German city. The cat meandered between our chairs, looking for a hello, and I said “good morning” to the catfish. By the time I left, I was convinced he knew the sound of my voice!
Herkules is a copper statue and manmade water feature built in the years 1701 to 1717, commissioned by Landgrave Carl. “To the Landgrave, the structure represented the triumph of art over nature and the omnipotence of human ingenuity” (https://museum-kassel.de). The view over Kassel is breathtaking. My heart beat at the wonder of a structure and park designed and created in the 18th century. The magnificence of the cascading water from the top of the hill just at the foot of Herkules to the final pond on the lawn of Wilhemshöhe Palace is magical. Every Wednesday and Sunday, the Wasserspielen (water play) occurs. Visitors start at the top and wait as the Wassermeister (water master) takes his tool and manually turns on the water as it has been done for centuries. We stood just as all the other spectators against the rock walls as the water began to trickle, slowly becoming stronger and more plentiful. It flowed down aqueducts toward the first water fountain. As the water gained momentum and filled the fountain, a water spout began to flow into the air and the two statues on either side holding a horn began to buzz into the air.
My mouth fell open as I watched this marvel unfold before my eyes. The masses began to walk down the steps following the water. We followed the flow into the woods watching as the water poured out the side of the hill into another small pond working its way to a broken aqueduct guiding it further down. Finally, we ended at a larger pond. The water flowed faster, creating a fountain to spurt over twenty feet into the air. The vegetation swayed in the wind created by the spectacle. The wind was blowing in my hair. It was the most amazing sight I had seen in a very long time. It was so beautiful and magical and worth being a part of, no matter how sick I felt.
Our tour continued to the campus of the University of Kassel, showing us where we needed to go for orientation, introducing us to where we would be spending our days for the next four weeks. The campus was a mixture of old and new. Some parts used to be an ironworks factory, and other parts were fairly new. Many of the buildings were made of brick and interesting architecture such as the Bibliothek (library). We walked by the Mensa (cafeteria) and café. The main ironworks building is rounded and made of bricks, showcasing the history of the site the university now occupied. History is plentiful in Kassel. We were shown the building where the Brothers Grimm were born and then we walked in the grounds of the Orangerie, a castle built in 1703 under Landgrave Charles. It is a massive, beautiful castle that is now a planetarium.
I would spend a good bit of time at the Orangerie, walking the grounds, reading, and spending time with friends. Today, it is a park and in walking distance from Königsplatz (King’s plaza) where we would spend our free time exploring and shopping. Sunday, my first full day in Kassel, Germany, was eventful and I refused to let my sickness hold me back. As we drove “home,” I couldn’t help but smile inside at the life I would be leading for the next month. I was now in the chapter of my time in Germany in the book of my life!
Herkules and Beyond
The Orangerie in Kassel, Germany.
