After a bus ride from Amsterdam I arrived in Bremen, Germany. It’s where I was able to meet my relatives that I have only seen once 10 years before when they were in Canada. They now have a son which I never met yet. German is a very challenging language to read or understand as I soon found out. Taxi wouldn’t take me to the place I was meeting them and then I hopped on the wrong tram. I might have skipped out on paying on the tram not because I didn’t want to but I couldn’t figure the machine nor the language out. Finally arriving to a beautiful restaurant by the river as I waited. That was the start of my week journey with my family from Germany. They live in a tiny village but I loved every minute being there with them.Even the most stormiest, rainy and windy weather didn’t stop us from touring. It’s amazing how much I was able to learn about my Grandpa, Great grandpa and Grandma. My 29th birthday I stepped foot in the house my grandpa was raised. Can’t forget about the lovely time spent at the cafe for birthday cake with some more family members as well as the traditional German restaurant by a lake for dinner. That’s what you call a pretty unbelievable birthday. Family history is a pretty fascinating thing to learn about. It’s worth every penny getting in touch with people you never thought you would get the chance to meet. There is one museum in Bremerhaven that I suggest everyone to go visit if your in the area and it’s called “Deutsches Auswandererhaus”. There’s also so many points of interest to see in Hamburg which my two favorite was the port tour by boat and the walk along Außenalster Lake. I was able to experience their tradition for Easter as well. Biggest bon fire I’ve ever been at with bratwurst, beer, kids little fires and everyone else enjoying the night from the village. Between all of the incredible hospitality from there, all the time they took to tour me around all the little villages which are so cute and meeting other family members as well. I don’t even know how to say enough Thank you’s for how appreciate I was of everything they did for me. Way too much good things to write about my week with them.

 

 

Who knew there is actually a really cool beach in Germany too. I was lucky enough to spend the day with a couple fun girls that I was in Spanish class with. I went to Cuxhaven, Germany to see their home town. Above is the “Eiffel Tower of Cuxhaven.” Well that might not be it’s real name but that’s how I’ll remember this day and can’t forget to mention the word gum boots (rubber boots). It was a full day of strolling along the beach even hiding out while it hailed, delicious apple strudel, pretty awesome forest walk without getting lost and ending with a good cruise and tour around Cuxhaven. Thanks Girls and keep in touch.

Next up was taking a couple trains from my families house so I could get to Hamburg to catch my train. Most frustrating day with the train system. I had booked a ticket with a specific time and date a few days before that to Copenhagen, Denmark. Well to my surprise you still need to book a seat too else you have a ticket but no seat. Most interesting train ride I’ve had yet. Very frustrated to have paid 84 euros (over $100 CA) and to have been put on a train with the floor and a shared seat. Families of four were sharing 2 seats and people were standing and sitting on the floor. You could not move on this train but this is what one lady said to me. “This happens all the time in Germany but look on the positive side this might be your best travel memory you will have.” And to my surprise she was absolutely right. It was like our corner of about 10 of us knew each other. I will never forget everyone sharing our food, singing little kid songs in English/Dutch and playing peek a boo with the kid beside me or switching up my mini seat in the luggage storage area with a couple guys. I might have sat on the floor for a bit but playing Phase 10 with a couple strangers on the train floor and the ferry was really one of my best travel days. Meeting up with my friend that I met once again last year was a quick but unforgettable 2 days spent in Copenhagen. One day I will get a chance to see more of the Scandinavian countries. It might be super expensive but the place is incredible.

          

 

 

Last but not least was a flight over to Berlin. One of the best cities to explore. This city is full of activities and sightseeing for all different ages and personalities. I was around some pretty awesome atmosphere at the crazy nice Plus Berlin Hostel which was more like a hotel. If you haven’t quite figured out everything about who you really are, I think Berlin is a city to be especially if your artistic. Couldn’t believe every place you went there was some pretty great pieces of street art and graffiti. If you got tired of that you could sit by the river on a sunny day and listen to amateur singers just trying to make it a go for themselves. Not only listening to music but the dancing scene at night in the clubs is a new but good experience. If those aren’t enough trying to find the chocolate store the last day there, we ran into plenty of stunning buildings. If you get bored of the buildings you can also take in a little piece of war history in the bunkers. The best for last like always is go enjoy good beer and great food. Oh and then after you have a beer like I did, go drop on a cable from a 420 foot hotel looking down onto Alexandar Platz. I’ve met some pretty cool people in Berlin and hope to stay in contact with some of them. Even got to meet up with my friend I might in Strasbourg for dinner. I will be returning to Berlin some day.

That’s it in Germany or my trip for that matter. I do know how to make schintzel now so can’t wait to make that in Canada. Memories and people that I will never forget. 9 Countries visited in 85 days.  It took a total of 7 flights, 22 super long uncomfortable buses, 3 ferries, 8 trains, a ton of metros and city buses and lots of car rides to cover the distances I did. A couple unpleasant travel days and not so nice moments but all the incredible moments makes up for it. Couldn’t have done this trip with all the past friends I’ve met for letting me crash on couches or beds, family in Germany and all the new people I met along the way. All in all Europe in Winter can still be quite marvelous and super enjoyable and entertaining. Each and every memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thanks so much to everyone for having a little part of another part of my journey in life. Of course it’s not over yet…where to next? Wait and see!!!!