The First Few Days
After only two days of tying up lose ends before making my way to the Edmonton International Airport, I managed to get on board the first plane of what are to be many for this crazy trip of mine. Next, a stop in Calgary, a phone call to a friend whom I thought was there but actually made it back to Edmonton before I had left, and I was on my way to Germany.
Yes, Germany.
You see, before booking my flight to China, I realized that I may never get another chance like this again, so why not fly over Europe to see my relatives while I still could? The last time I got to see Germany was five years ago, but believe me, it feels like a lot longer.
When I finally arrived in Munich the next day, I was so filled with excitement and anticipation that I could just see myself running into the arms of my godfather as I did when I was younger. Unfortunately, I arrived later than expected, didn’t get my luggage until even later, and forgot how European public phones work- which made it too late. Once I did figure it out, I learned that my godfather had traveled back to Erding (just outside of Munich) and wouldn’t be back for another half hour or so. In the meantime, I had time to practice my German as I traded traveler cheques for Euros and asked for directions to the south entrance of the airport (of which apparently no one knew for sure). My motivation to practice then and there, was a little more out of fright than anything, thinking that I may not be able to communicate with or explain myself to my godfather once he did arrive. Nevertheless, we eventually met, and things were ok. We arrived in Erding not long after that, met my godmother, ate and talked about our plans for the week, and together biked (bicycled) into town to finish some errands where he would explain the history of Erding to me again.
He loves history. I love biking around Erding.
The next day was Wednesday. I woke up after almost 11 hours of sleep. I could have woken up sooner had I remembered that when you hear the sound of church bells in the morning, it’s not from outside, but rather it’s my godfather's way of saying “Guten Morgen”. Because I missed the first call, my morning was a bit rushed. I had to run to make the train into Munich to meet my cousin. So we took the bikes. I had forgotten to bring my camera along yesterday, but wouldn’t make the same mistake this time.
I arrived at Marienplatz station a little later that morning only to pass by my cousin twice as I was looking for him. He’s 5 years younger than me, but I guess I should have known he’d be taller than me. He stopped me. I guess I must be easy to pick out of a crowd…
We spent the whole day together catching up, visiting tourist attractions and measuring ourselves against cathedral organs (My cousin is conveniently volunteering with the pope’s convey that will take him into Munich this weekend, and so my cousin is given all sorts of privileges like: riding in the pope’s entry vehicle, the “Papamobile”; accommodation in main church’s priest’s house right next to the cathedral; access to the Organ level via a “secret” staircase).
By the end of the day, my cousin was pretty tired, but as if the next day were already here, once back home in Erding, he had so much to tell his parents about the day, seemingly all at once. My godparents responded to it all with jokes, laugher, and smiles. I love those guys.
I had a chance to check my email quickly and replied to one from Milan. Apparently, three people from Polytechnic University of Milan want to meet with me on Monday. I guess I know where I’ll be then.
The rest of evening ended with a great discussion with my godfather. I can’t remember or translate everything he told me, but here some important points. Again, these are NOT actual quotes:
“Life should be easy. If it’s not, you’re doing something wrong. First, you have to figure out what you want to do. How do you do that? Easy. What do you enjoy doing, and what can you become good at? For example, there’s a man who works as a stone carver and says “I’m carving a stone”. Then, there’s another man who works as a stone carver and says “I’m building a house”. Who is doing what they want to do?”
The next day (or today in Edmonton), I woke up to the ringing of bells, but nevertheless, had to run after breakfast yet again, only this time by car. My godparents took me to another train station outside Erding. My destination: Regensburg. A larger town further north of Munich. There I met another uncle of mine who took me on a historical tour of the town.
Regensburg is beautiful. We crossed the Steinerbrueke to the other side of the town and met one of my aunts who lives not far from Regensburg for a ‘proper’ (read: filling) Bavarian lunch. It’s always great to see her. She’s so full of wonder and encouragement.
From there, we toured around a bit longer, only to stop for some (read: lots of) Eis (Ice Cream). At that point my uncle and I parted ways with my aunt, and headed for Kallmuenz to see some castle ruins. Why? Because that’s what you do in Germany after a big meal- you go climb a mountain to go see castle ruins! Before doing that though, my uncle showed me a few other places around town. I’d definitely have to say that Kallmuenz is up there with another town- Obervessel, as the two best places to see (and maybe even live) in Germany that I know of.
I arrived with my uncle at his place around evening and ended up talking, eating and drinking for a while before I could ask him if I could use his computer to write this.
I hope you are all well.
Yes, Germany.
You see, before booking my flight to China, I realized that I may never get another chance like this again, so why not fly over Europe to see my relatives while I still could? The last time I got to see Germany was five years ago, but believe me, it feels like a lot longer.
When I finally arrived in Munich the next day, I was so filled with excitement and anticipation that I could just see myself running into the arms of my godfather as I did when I was younger. Unfortunately, I arrived later than expected, didn’t get my luggage until even later, and forgot how European public phones work- which made it too late. Once I did figure it out, I learned that my godfather had traveled back to Erding (just outside of Munich) and wouldn’t be back for another half hour or so. In the meantime, I had time to practice my German as I traded traveler cheques for Euros and asked for directions to the south entrance of the airport (of which apparently no one knew for sure). My motivation to practice then and there, was a little more out of fright than anything, thinking that I may not be able to communicate with or explain myself to my godfather once he did arrive. Nevertheless, we eventually met, and things were ok. We arrived in Erding not long after that, met my godmother, ate and talked about our plans for the week, and together biked (bicycled) into town to finish some errands where he would explain the history of Erding to me again.
He loves history. I love biking around Erding.
The next day was Wednesday. I woke up after almost 11 hours of sleep. I could have woken up sooner had I remembered that when you hear the sound of church bells in the morning, it’s not from outside, but rather it’s my godfather's way of saying “Guten Morgen”. Because I missed the first call, my morning was a bit rushed. I had to run to make the train into Munich to meet my cousin. So we took the bikes. I had forgotten to bring my camera along yesterday, but wouldn’t make the same mistake this time.
I arrived at Marienplatz station a little later that morning only to pass by my cousin twice as I was looking for him. He’s 5 years younger than me, but I guess I should have known he’d be taller than me. He stopped me. I guess I must be easy to pick out of a crowd…
We spent the whole day together catching up, visiting tourist attractions and measuring ourselves against cathedral organs (My cousin is conveniently volunteering with the pope’s convey that will take him into Munich this weekend, and so my cousin is given all sorts of privileges like: riding in the pope’s entry vehicle, the “Papamobile”; accommodation in main church’s priest’s house right next to the cathedral; access to the Organ level via a “secret” staircase).
By the end of the day, my cousin was pretty tired, but as if the next day were already here, once back home in Erding, he had so much to tell his parents about the day, seemingly all at once. My godparents responded to it all with jokes, laugher, and smiles. I love those guys.
I had a chance to check my email quickly and replied to one from Milan. Apparently, three people from Polytechnic University of Milan want to meet with me on Monday. I guess I know where I’ll be then.
The rest of evening ended with a great discussion with my godfather. I can’t remember or translate everything he told me, but here some important points. Again, these are NOT actual quotes:
“Life should be easy. If it’s not, you’re doing something wrong. First, you have to figure out what you want to do. How do you do that? Easy. What do you enjoy doing, and what can you become good at? For example, there’s a man who works as a stone carver and says “I’m carving a stone”. Then, there’s another man who works as a stone carver and says “I’m building a house”. Who is doing what they want to do?”
The next day (or today in Edmonton), I woke up to the ringing of bells, but nevertheless, had to run after breakfast yet again, only this time by car. My godparents took me to another train station outside Erding. My destination: Regensburg. A larger town further north of Munich. There I met another uncle of mine who took me on a historical tour of the town.
Regensburg is beautiful. We crossed the Steinerbrueke to the other side of the town and met one of my aunts who lives not far from Regensburg for a ‘proper’ (read: filling) Bavarian lunch. It’s always great to see her. She’s so full of wonder and encouragement.
From there, we toured around a bit longer, only to stop for some (read: lots of) Eis (Ice Cream). At that point my uncle and I parted ways with my aunt, and headed for Kallmuenz to see some castle ruins. Why? Because that’s what you do in Germany after a big meal- you go climb a mountain to go see castle ruins! Before doing that though, my uncle showed me a few other places around town. I’d definitely have to say that Kallmuenz is up there with another town- Obervessel, as the two best places to see (and maybe even live) in Germany that I know of.
I arrived with my uncle at his place around evening and ended up talking, eating and drinking for a while before I could ask him if I could use his computer to write this.
I hope you are all well.
posted by Tim | 5:56 PM
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