My Life As I Know It

Berlin to Wiesenttal

Ten days into our Germany trip, we have experienced a number of "perfect moments" - when everything just seems to line up the right way. We left Berlin before 9 am headed to Dresden. We walked around Dresden before finding the "altstadt" or old town. It began to rain and we made a fast and good decision to duck into a bar and have something to eat. It began to pour and we luckily beat the crowds sitting outside under a canopy and a heater - it was 60 F. We stayed and ate a good lunch and followed with cappuccino apple strudel, and ice cream. We stayed 90 minutes while the rain slowed leaving very full and heading toward our next airbnnb.

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived in Muggendorf around 6 pm which was an hour later than expected due to traffic delays. Our host met us in the driveway and immediately talked about history of the town and people and showed us the apartment. It was a fun place on a hill over looking the small town.

We walked to a cafe and sat down with a beer and ordered dinner. The place was perfect and ordered schnitzel and oven baked pork shoulder - it was so good and we chatted with a Dad and his two sons about Germany. It was a perfect moment in the perfect place and felt great. We brought more than half the food home due to the size of the meal.

 

Berlin Final Night

It is our fifth and final day in Berlin as we head further south. We wore our shoes here walking an average of 9+ miles a day. We stayed in a great area where there were numerous options to eat within 15 minutes of the apartment. Luckily we were able to park off the street and have not been in the car since the day we arrived. 

Berlin is big, spread out city and a mix of so many different nationalities. We had no issues getting places, negotiating traffic, or finding good places for a drink or food. We are mixing traditional German food - currywurst, Berliner - with Italian, Mexican, and sushi. Anything you want is here. 

The sights are dramatic, the people are good but far less friendly than the Northern part of Germany. They don't look you in the eye going down the streets. The old building and architecture is everywhere. I was taken back by the lack of maintenance in the parks and green spaces. However, I would not consider it a dirty city at all. 

We spent one day on a paid adventure walking with 25 dogs in a huge park. It was something different and fun.  The owner, Alex, was easy going and a dog trainer so it made for both a fun and informative trip. We visited the major sights, relaxed today due to rain and plan to head to Dresden tomorrow morning before landing in Wiesenttal which is between Bamberg and Nuremberg. It wall begin the central/south portion of our trip.

Berlin

I woke up this morning in an apartment in the city center of Berlin. It is raining and 62 F. Last night we arrived around 5 pm due to heavy traffic and delays due to highway construction. The delays added an hour to our trip and was a painful process.

Last night after checking into our airbnb, we walked 15 minutes to an area where there were numerous options to eat. All types of foods - traditional German, high end, fast food, Indian, Mexican, Italian. We chose a quiet place and sat inside because of the high number of smokers here. It was a great meal - handmade pasta, ravioli stuffed with truffle parmesan and covered in a white wine sauce, veal appetizer and a great glass of red wine.

I am unsure what the rainy day will hold but perhaps a slow down from the travel pace that we have been doing. We have driven a ton and plan to leave the car parked for most of the time here in Berlin. We will walk to Großer Tiergarten and all the monuments surrounding that area. I am looking forward to the city life for 5 days before we head to central and southern Germany.

Energy

A few nights back, we hosted a couple who are friends of Debby's from work. Debby and Jean worked together for over 25 years. Jean's husband, Marty came along and we talked as a group and individually. Marty and I have quite a bit in common - nearly the same age, retired for close to a year, and we are both in a great place financially.

While I was mixing drinks, Marty and I were alone at our bar and I asked how her felt about retirement and how it was treating him. He said he was doing great and asked me if I noticed how much bluer the sky was... I laughed, yes, it is much bluer. That simple comment hit me and he is dead on about the ability to slow down and soak up life around us. Since that quick conversation I have thought about the positive energy that brought me.

Over dinner, I related to a book I was finishing, "Chasing Daylight".  It was the second time I read the book and it focused on a number of points one bing staying in the moment and enjoying the perfect moment. Therefore, for the second time in a few days I was reminded of the importance of being present.

Germany

One week from today, we leave for a month plus in Germany. It is exciting and challenging - the impact of covid has presented new obstacles and unknowns. Once we were through the complete vaccination process in April 2021, many doors were reopened. However, the landscape was different and, most likely, will never be the same.

We will land in Frankfurt Germany, lease a new car and drive from northeast to southwest. We are staying in nine different places, most for 5 nights to allow exploration of the area. Our first stop is Hamburg. On the upside, Germany is doing well with managing the virus, we have a solid plan, and Debby speaks fluent German.

My concerns include the car lease process, how we will feel after the flight to navigate a six hour trip, and the unknown. I have a great deal of confidence in us and our ability to handle situations and challenges, however, you never know.

For months we have looked at maps, watched you tube videos, reserved airbnbs, and discussed our plan. I am relaxed knowing we have a week to bring it all together, close up the house, say our good byes and begin our adventure. I am excited for this is our first extended non-Colombian international trip. Germany represents the homeland for us both and offers so much - history, cutting edge, nature, food, drinks, and overall experiences.