Mainz has a coloured history – Romans, Franks, Vandals, Swedes, Austrians, French all turned up at some stage and stayed for various periods of time – but it’s the bleu-blanc-rouge faction that’s been the lasting influence. (They only left in 1933 and they left the language strewn across Mainz
A wallet is a “Portmannee”, the police are “Bollesje”, a small shop is a “Buddick” and a pavement/sidewalk is a “Trodddewaa”
And folks play Boules.
Almost secretly…….
(Seen from the stairs that run from the end of the Martinsstrasse down to the Gaugass..er..Gaustrasse
Mainz Daily Photo 
Terrific shot. It’s a game that’s never made it over to this part of the world.
I played this once in France; did a miserable job. My humorous attitude was not appreciated. Oops!