BeSPOKE 07

the Citizens oF franKfurt
seeM to liVe in CoMplete
harMony with the riVer
Main, VenUe For eVery sort
oF oUtdoor aCtiVity.
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Frankfurt has always felt to me like a beautiful
woman who is sitting in the same departure lounge
as me waiting for her flight. i start fantasising about
her origins and accent, the reason for her trip, what it
would be like holding her in my arms. My fantasising
is brusquely interrupted by the tannoy system announcing
boarding on another flight. only a hint of
an intriguing fragrance remains. but this flight is different.
i’m coming back from the United states and
flying to tokyo. with a choice between two nights
in Milan or Frankfurt i’ve chosen the foreign option.
landing at one of the largest international airports
in europe on a business class airdolomiti flight, i get
to hotel Villa kennedy in less than half an hour. it is
the former biophysics research institute destroyed
in world war two and rebuilt in 2006. an evening
stroll along the banks of the Main gives me an insight
into the city’s ironic nickname Mainhattan. its
skyline is that of a great metropolitan conurbation
full of super modern skyscrapers. Moving eastwards
i find myself in an old quarter with a vibrant night
life. i go into a pub. this is just how i imagined a german
bar. My camera means i don’t go unnoticed.
the background noise dies down and the music
takes over, somewhat dark dance music. just a few
minutes later i am trying out a range of beers with
a ChanCe enCoUnter
with yarets, deaF
reCord-breaking
Motorbike rider retUrning
FroM bielorUs, taking
a break FroM his trip
aroUnd the world
in franKfurt.
the skysCraper skyline
oVerlooks the slow
MoVing Main.
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