My first stop in Europe was a good one. I arrived in Munich on February 17th – the man who picked me up and hosted me was one that I barely knew but I had a feeling and trusted would become a great friend. I met Michael in San Francisco. He and his friend were on a two week tour in the United States, they met a friend of mine from Rhode Island who had moved to Miami. Kyle calls me and asked, ‘Hey, I met these two German guys and they are headed to San Francisco next week. Will you show them around?’ – ‘Errr…. sure,’ was my answer. I gave them a jam packed driving tour of the sights in the city and took them for the best burrito in town washed down by a horchata then to my favorite bar where I ordered them the SF special (Whiskey & Ginger) and taught them to play shuffle board. Michael and I kept in touch through Facebook and when I reached out to him to take him up on the offer to visit Germany, he didn’t hesitate to say yes.

He made me feel right at home, offering up his room and making sure I was always comfortable, well fed and happy. This was especially helpful as the realization (ahem, fear and panic) set in that I had arrived in a foreign speaking country with no plans of what was next. I had the room and support to breathe and remind myself that this was exactly why I had come – to challenge myself and my boundaries. I had the time and the comfort to do some planning on the next parts of my trip. I was able to be a part of Michael’s community, meeting wonderful and kind people. I’m not sure whether it is cultural or specific to Michael’s friends and family, but the level of consideration, thoughtfulness and hospitality was like none I’ve experienced. The goodbye part of traveling never gets easier!

Highlights from Augsburg:
–Schloss Neuschwanstein: the grandiose castle of King Ludwig II and the ice hike on the way down then walking on ice!
-Michael’s movie premiere: though I didn’t understand a word, it was well produced and very cool to see a friend in his element like that… the passion and the hard work that got him there
-Dancing to the Spice Girls while drinking tequila flavored beer in a German club
-Board game night (I NEED to buy ‘Jungle Speed’) with Michael and his friends (including delicious lasagna made by Manuel with oil, cheese and butter – you know, all the things that make American food tasty)
-A beautiful, thoughtful present from Maga and Manuel: pictures from our trip to Neuschwanstein on a USB with a funny quote from that day and a gorgeous handmade, crocheted flower that Maga made
-A walking tour of Augsburg in the crisp air while drinking tasty coffee with Michael: St. Ulrich’s (a church built in mid-evil times), Perlachturm (which you can climb to a great viewing point by apparently not in February), the Fuggerei (the world’s oldest functioning housing development) and Weberhaus (interestingly painted building from the 1300’s)… Also a hilarious moment when a little boy ran into Michael, begrudgingly said ‘chooly gong’ and gave the funniest facial expression as he was toted away by his mom
-Michael’s mom stopping by the day before I left to bring me a guidebook (in English) for my next destination, Frankfurt
-Attempting (horribly) to speak German, my tongue was apparently on strike

Food highlights:
-Beer mixed with sprite
-Delicious fried cream cheese balls
-Metzgerwirtschnitzel with mit kartoffelsalat
-Beer, so much good beer
-Meat. Lots of pork. Lots of Bavarian cold cuts.
-Preztels, yum
-Pizza topped with salami and a forest of parsley

Language highlights:
-The translation of ‘horse shit’ from German to English is literally ‘horse apples’. The translation of potatoes is literally ‘ground apples’. Basically anything round is called an apple.
–Griass di or servus: hello
–Bitte: please / you’re welcome
–Danke: thank you
–Basst scho: it’s okay
–Guten appetit: to be said before eating
–Prost: cheers!
–Chooly gong: excuse me / sorry

AIRPORTS: 12
FLIGHTS: 14
STATES: 7
COUNTRIES: 3
CONTINENTS: 3
DAYS TRAVELING: 82
CURRENCIES: 3