Indeed, the German cities which I visited after Rothenburg ob der Tauber, though beautiful, do not qualify to be "jewels". I was therefore quite surprised to see how Freiburg turned out, and was happily snapping away at everything I see.
Freiburg lies at the western edge of the southern blackforest (Schwarzwald) in Germany and is known to be the biggest city at the southern blackforest area. However, it is predominantly a university town and not like Mannheim where you hear fire engines wailing away every hour, Freiburg appears to be very slow-paced, quiet and serene (at least for the days I stayed there).
On the top of the Schlossberg (a hill) stands the Aussichtsturm (observation tower). The view of the Altstadt is majestic from the top of the tower. But that's after a long climb all the way up, but for the scenery is worth the climb.
the view of the Altstadt, the most prominent landmark the Münster
vineyards
Die Bächle
I did not notice, or did not remember noticing any Fachwerkhäuser in the Altstadt, which was quite a surprise actually. This is because the conventional German Altstadt would be full of half-timbered houses. But there is a very interesting aspect of the Altstadt:
The canals that run throughs the town, known as the Bächle. I heard that Freiburg can be a warm place especially during sommer, and these little canals are frequently used to cool one's feet. The concept of the Bächle has been around for a really long time, and during the past they were used to hydrate the cattle as well as to fight fires. You may then think that the water must be very dirty but that is not true at all. Its crystal clear and spotlessly clean without any litter!
Also there is a saying that if you were to trip into the Bächle, you will be destined to stay in Freiburg and marry a local. Unfortunately that did not happen to me, for I've grown to like Freiburg....
Rathaus und Münsterplatz
The neues Rathaus (new town hall), as you can see below is a symmetrical structure. It was actually two seperate houses, and was combined together during the period 1578 to 1581, where it was the main building of the University till 1896, where it became the Rathaus. 
Next to the neues Rathaus is the red altes Rathaus (old town hall). Built in 1559. Das Freiburger Münster und Münsterplatz
One of the most popular Cathedrals in Europe, The Friburger Münster was completed in 3 stages, the third stage in 1230. It was interesting to note that this church was originally built as a burial Church for the then dukes of Zähringen. The Architecture of the cathedral looked gothic in nature and a check online revealed it was the only gothic church in Germany that was completed in the Middle Ages and amazingly escaped the bombing raids in WWII.
Am Münsterplatz
At the Münsterplatz stands this red brown Historiches Kaufhaus, a merchant hall which was used as trade adminstration and built in the year 1530.
Also there are two remaining town gates at the entrances of the Altstadt. They are the Martinstor, which can be readily identified by the Mcdonalds (somehow unexpected) next to it. It was built in the 13th century and is 63metres tall.
The other remaining town gate is the Schwabentor, also built around the same period as the Martinstor. 
Fischerau - previously the fishing quarters
More pretty houses, with design exclusive to this region
Bei Seok (Staying at Seok's)
Like me, she's an exchange student from FASS but at Freiburg. And she's the only Singaporean there! I think its good in a sense because it forces you to get out of your comfort zone and communicate with everyone else in German. Actually I am quite envious of her spending her semester at such a beautiful city, paying lower rent, and also being the only local there. And now that I think about it, Freiburg was my 2nd choice then...
And here's how her room looks like, smaller than mine but definitely much neater. Guess that's the difference between a girl's room and a guy's. Or maybe she cleaned it up before I came. Her Wohnheim is situated about 10 minutes away from the Hauptbahnhof and Altstadt, which is actually very convenient if she misses the tram. But anyway the tram service there is very efficient even on a public holiday where the tram came once every 15 minutes, which was already very good. Also, despite the vinicity to the main central area, her Wohnheim neighbourhood is very green and full of nature. There's a lake nearby (which I unfortunately do not have the time to check it out), and the photo below is from the level balcony. Its acutally land which the government lease out to people who acutally want to have their own garden or grow their own vegetables. It looks like pieces of farmland but that's what it really is. And sometimes you'd see these land owners bring their goats walking around the hostel downstairs. Very interesting indeed.
And their communal area, looks like a home more than a residence really.
Coming from an industrial city (Mannheim), I really appreciate the serenity and lush setting of Freiburg. Morever, the population there is definitely not as international as Mannheim, something which I would also actually prefer. It brings the more authentic feeling of living in a true German town. Having said that, I wished I'd have tripped into the watercanal.
http://picasaweb.google.com/vintagebin/22MayFreiburgImBreisgau
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