My recent European adventures.
I can't believe it's already been a month I've been back from this year's epic trip to Europe.
I had some amazing experiences over there and wanted to share a few words and pictures here about those 8 awesome days I spent overseas.
Some people think it's crazy that I travel all over alone like I do. I guess I've always had a little gypsy in me - sort of the spirit of a wanderer you could say. I enjoy seeing different places and making connections with people of all walks. Plus, I don't mind being alone at all. I enjoy the company of myself. :) And, I think I'm more approachable when I'm alone. When you're with someone, I think you're more closed off to random connections with people. Since those are the kind of encounters I appreciate in my travels, being alone actually works to my advantage in most cases.
For example, after spending a few days in Holland, I took a train to a random smaller town in Germany - Dusseldorf. Turns out, this place is like the New Orleans of Europe. It was a party town like I had never seen. Streets and streets just lined with breweries and restaurants. Alleys full of authentic Irish pubs and unique discotheques.
All of this action was packed into this historic district along side the Rhein River in NW Germany. There were people of all ages partaking in the action in the streets. It was non-stop beer pouring, bands, street performers, magic acts, dancing, eating and drinking.
Hey- when in Rome do as the Romans right?! So, I partied like the rest of them. I bellied up to the outside bar of a local brewery and ordered a house draft beer. I guess I must've looked thirsty, because the waiter automatically started me a tab.
The way they do tabs over there is brilliant. They take a black marker and make a mark on your cardboard coaster. They add up the marks when you're done and ready to pay out your bill. A beer was less than $2 and the food was authentic and cheap. I had a weiner on a roll with hot mustard. Omg - it was amazing!
The seating is on these long benches that fold out in the streets and on the sidewalks. Strangers of all ages sit together and pack the streets.
An older gentleman that spoke English saw that I was an American and struck up a conversation with me right away. I guess in this area of Germany, people learn and know English, but rarely get to practice it. Robert seemed eager to try it out on me and this old gentleman and I started talking it up.
I learned so much from him. He taught me several German words - "Zweig bier bitte," for example- "2 beers please."
We must've had 7 or 8 beers there together over the course of the day. We talked until the sun started to set. I gotta admit, we were kinda smashed. :)
He had to leave though, because he had rode his bike 15 miles into town that day to see a Dusseldorf soccer game and had to get headed home.
I guess riding your bike 15 miles home after a ton of beer is no big deal there. Lol. Why should it be?! :) That old Austrian man was one of the happiest souls I had ever met. He was beaming. He was living exactly the life he wanted. He had a wife of many years, successful children and a long career in the steel industry. In his retirement, he spends time with his friends and his family and doing all of the things he loves.
I can't say I want to be too different than Ol' Robert in my old age. :)
Actually, I guess you could say I'm a little like him now. I'm pretty happy. I'm surrounded by family and friends and doing what I love. I'm going to keep improving it though, until I become a guru like that neat old soul I met in the streets of that obscure German town.
I rounded my trip off in Europe with a few more days in the Netherlands and flew home completely rejuvenated. But, the experience was so very, very awesome that I've been dying to go back since the day I returned.
I've made some other plans though that will keep me busy until the next time I return. I think I will be going back to see the tulips next Spring and catch a concert by my favorite musician, Beth Hart.
Until then, I'm visiting Mexico later this week for a few days. One of my favorite places there, Cancun. I will be seeing a Mayan healer for a temazcal- a traditional Mexican sweat lodge. I'm very excited about the experience and will post some information about it when I return.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)