Germany

 

Bruce and I made a quick trip to Germany to see Toria. We carried a backpack each and went minimally, which is great fun for the both of us, until we've been up walking and catching flights for 24 hours. Then, feet begin to hurt and spirits are weak. 

We arrived in Germany pretty early in the day and caught a shuttle bus to the train station where Toria had arranged to meet us. Two matronly German ladies engaged Bruce in animated chatter about travel and cultures and age. They thought he was charming as he flattered them with guessing their ages younger than what was visible to the eye. I was too tired to care.

We spent several hours walking to a bountiful market and city center and a part of Frankfurt not mentioned in travel guides where we found great food and refreshing drinks.

 The market reminded me a lot of Pikes Market in Seattle, tho instead of fish flying through the air, there were sausages, hams, and other cuts of meat hanging from the ceiling and overflowing the tables. Garden produce, honey, soaps, candles, spices... everywhere a sensory overload. 

We saw the famous reconstructed part of the square which Hitler and his army are seen in wartime films. I also recognized it from the Anne of Green Gables movie where Anne goes to Germany to find Gilbert.

Germany smelled like sauerkraut and beer in some places but then so did the airport in Charlotte as we entered back into the USA. I think when one travels they just smell a lot of smells. We did have a taste of the sauerkraut and I have to admit it was the best I have ever tasted. We had delicious food and great coffee. I would say the coffee is prepared to the gold standard of any place that I have been in Europe, which is only Italy and Germany...so maybe don't take my word for it. Coffee was drank. Coffee was good.

We traveled to Toria's town for the first night, stayed in a hotel, then took the ICE train to a famous chapel in Cologne. Breathtakingly beautiful...Also we took an elevator to the top of a tower to look over the city and were rewarded with spectacular views. Then, went to a bougie place to eat lunch before catching another train to Duisburg to the boathouse we rented for two nights.

 

The taxi ride we chose to take to our houseboat was rank with smoke and our driver was incredibly rough around the edges. It felt sketchy and unsafe as he gestured and grunted and was generally frustrated with Google translate and maps but we arrived safely. 

It was still another language barrier in getting to our boathouse as we were barricaded by a big blue marina gate and a keypad. We waited and stewed as Bruce tried to communicate via emails...instructions were to call the host but our American phones would not. Eventually one of the people living at the marina made a call for us; we were given the code and were finally able to drop our bags and put up our feet.

The houseboat floated in a canal in a small marina between two walking bridges. We had our very own swan that visited every morning and hissed at us if we didn't give him enough crackers.

 Our time in Duisburg consisted of walking and buying groceries, walking and visiting a history museum about the town, walking and seeing the square, walking and seeing an authentic German restaurant, and church and just a lot of walking.

 In the evening we sat surrounded by a beautiful sunset on top the roof of our floating home, then settled down on the cozy couch below deck and watched the long version of Pride and Prejudice...Bruce pretended not to watch but eventually caved and joined in the high drama. 

The next morning it was time to catch our first train back to GieBen. It was a day of slow trains and buses and waiting on delays. I loved it because it was more restful. Bruce hated it because he thought about cars and how much faster it would be for getting around if people just had cars. Cars would've saved the day for him. 

We arrived back in Toria's city and saw her sights, some of the team of I58, as well as the usual coffee shop and square for all the shops. Once more we went to her apartment and had a last meal with her and some of her co-workers. And then our farewell at Toria's apartment door, where I temporarily l Iost it and didn't have the courage to go back in and tell her nice friends a proper or mannerly goodbye. 

Bruce and I walked back to our hotel for the night and prepared for the longest journey home ever, consisting of 1train, 1bus, and three planes, rife with security lines, costumes, and long layovers.

But we made it and I was able to see goodness the whole way. Our needs were met with fine meals, even on the airplane. In Charlotte we found brisket and could "even get sweet tea" if we wanted. We didn't want it, but it was nice that the young lady offered it so cheerily from behind the counter. 

In Chicago our layover was long...a whole night long...we found a quiet upper room that was some sort of lounge...and slept for awhile. I drank way too much coffee the next morning trying to wake up.

As we were finding our gate to fly to Spokane we bumped into friends from Bonners Ferry, whom we had no clue were also traveling...it was the extra nudge of encouragement we didn't know we needed. To see a familiar face and chat a little...gives humans courage and comfort. We definitely need each other in this life.

There's no place like home... There's no place as good as home...Tho I'm sure Heaven will be better yet.