Let me first share with you where I have been since the last time I wrote to you. I landed in Mainz, Germany last Wednesday I believe and stayed in the most disgusting hotels I've ever been in, but it was safe... Regardless of the mold...
Fortunately, the hotels' condition did not alter my feelings towards the town. Although I was only there for one night, I quite enjoyed the big towns "small town" feel upon walking in the city center. Mainz was the birth place of none other than Gutenberg, creator of the Gutenberg press used to make newspapers and books back in the day.
The next morning I left the hotel gladly with just enough time to get completely lost, but still got to my train on time! My destination? Baden-Baden.
Baden-Baden was built up because of it's natural baths. I enjoyed walking through the scenic park, window shopping, and imagining that I was inside the baths, but didn't feel that I had the time to enter them and feel relaxed. I quietly said to myself that the next day I might enter the bath house, time willing.
The next morning I woke up and decided to wear my shorts and a spaghetti strapped top as it was very sunny in Baden-Baden. Looking in the mirror I felt good in my outfit almost thinking that all the walking I'd been doing was slimming my down! I went down to eat breakfast with the thought in my mind, "Now, when I get to Freiburg I need to pay to get my laundry done."
You see, this laundry issue had been on my mind for sometime. I would usually wash my clothing in the sink and hang dry it, but I hadn't been anywhere more than a day, hence no time to have my clothing dry...
As I sat down for breakfast I openly welcomed the offer for a pot of coffee. Little did I know that it would be the master of my demise in about a minute. As I grabbed my cup and started to pour the coffee into it, I had issues with the flow of coffee. I very quickly began to lift the lid on the pot to quicken the process. Unfortunately the pressure of the full pot of coffee took over and I proceeded to pour scolding hot coffee all over me, the table, and my breakfast.
The only words I could utter where, "hot!"
Completely defeated I went to the front desk holding back tears of pain and anxiety as I had to check out in under an hour. When I explained what happened the receptionist offered for me to do my laundry so my clothes wouldn't stain and she told me I could stay in my room as long as I needed.
I found myself back in my room gathering all my laundry to be done so that I didn't, "waste the load.". Needless to say, I have a fool proof plan to get my laundry done for free almost anywhere now and all it requires is a bit of self sacrifice!
That day I moved to Freiburg with clean laundry.
This was a bigger city as well, but had the small town charm that I'd grown to love. I found that I could quickly get lost in the crowd and found comfort in being among other tourists, even if they were German and I American.
I tend to stray away from the eager tourist, but as a solo traveller, I have enjoyed escaping the looks every once in a while.
The second day I was I Freiburg I had a series of events unfold that made me very happy at the end of the evening.
I had an exciting evening planned. I was going to see, Little Shop of Horrors in German! I left my hostel and selected a cafe by the giant cathedral in the town to have dinner. After some time I overheard a could two tables down speaking English. I gathered up my courage and introduced myself. They were Canadian about to start a bike tour up the Rheine River the next day. As I left the cafe I felt proud and happy that I had made contact with the English speaking world once again.
At the musical I met another couple beside me that were German, but spoke very good English. We bonded even more as it began to spit rain in the outdoor theatre...
The raining got harder...
The show kept going...
I fortunately had a rain jacket so I just draped it over my body and continued watching the show. As the musical ended and the actors took their bows, the audience scuttled out of the theatre to get to a safe location as soon as possible.
Unfortunately the storm couldn't wait.
Unfortunately I didn't have my umbrella.
Within 7 blocks from my hostel the storm just let loose. I was lucky enough to find some cover, but I was growing impatient as I was already wet and tired. After 10 minutes of waiting I made the decision to walk in the rain, which turned out to be a wonderful thing.
Completely soaked I met an American family from the D.C. area under another covering who were a delight to talk with for that brief moment. When I finally got to the steps of my hostel, two young men opened the door and one uttered, "you look a little wet there.". Knowing that they spoke English I quickly explained where I'd been. Two hours later we found ourselves finally saying good night.
As I peeled my damp clothes off of me I fell asleep feeling like I had met some really neat people that day. Yes, I had to step out of my comfort zone, but it was worth it.
Since that day in Freiburg I have met more people in Triberg, the town of cuckoo clocks, and actually just finished a lovely conversation with a couple from the UK here in Titisee, the town of the largest natural lake in the black forest. I have definitely gained an appreciation for solo travelers and feel that I will be much more open to starting conversations with strangers when I return to the states. I know so many times I wished someone would try to talk to me, but know that language might have been the barrier or just lack of caring.
In the states though most speak English so I should be ok!
I only have one more full day in Germany and will be sad to leave. Although it's not quite the same as Africa, my eyes have grown accustomed to the small cottages and gorgeous woodworking that the Germans are known for.
I hope to return to Germany someday and do more backpacking and hiking to my destinations. The landscape is beautiful and I want to explore more of it!
A yawn just took over my tired body so I believe that is a sign to say good night. I hope September is remaining warm for my return as I don't want to feel that I missed summer entirely...
With care,
Chelsea
