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Thursday, 6 February 2014

Europe part 4 Germany (The finale) - Odyssey 2014

The final week of my Odyssey into Germany can only be described as exceptional. I finally began to understand the transport network and understand the signs in German language enough to get myself around and not lost.

I also learnt that playing a strategy game with my German friend resulted in a lengthy discussion in global affairs, Blitzkreiging and why Ontario is the place where peace will finally come for my German Friend. haa haa haa.

I witnessed an emergency in Cologne where an old World War 2 allied bomb was found at a construction site and had what seemed every emergency personal person at the site that evening as we walked out of a movie theatre.

Its great to just have time to settle into a foreign place, go to their supermarkets, travel their transport systems and immerse one's self into the lifestyle of a normal Cologne person, as best one can in the short time. I gave it my best shot. The weather was very mild in this final week in Cologne and many trips up to the Main city were had and some great shots and visits to nooks and crannys made for some interesting insights into this gothic city.

I met with a Facebook friend from a group that discusses information that I am interested in, and it was great to meet you Oliver and I look forward to our ongoing friendship. I made a lightning trip down to Nuremberg in my final day hereto visit my former colleagues from Trade and Investment Queensland, Hiram and Verena who had moved to that city (Verena's Home).

It was so very nice to be able to see friends from home and to sit and discuss the ins and outs of the Queensland Government and mention all the changes that have gone on there since they had departed. It was a bit of a time and location warp to be in their apartment and discuss Brisbane issues. haaa We all went out to a traditional Bavarian food hall and I had a great meal, however didn't realise until the next day that Sauerkraut is best left for those experienced in eating it, I shall not mention the details. haa. A great night out walking in the freezing conditions amongst a gothic old city with a castle.

The next day my tour guide Hiram, was excellent in squeezing in a tour of the Kaiserberg Castle, the Main square of Nuremberg and the Documentation centre where the Nuremberg. This museum documents the rise and fall of the Nazi third Reich in such a way that all sides are informed and one just leaves with a huge sense of saddness for all who were effected by the greed and power hungry of a few. A message for modern times, not to repeat itself as it may be doing.

Germany is an intense place, I have been across to Berlin and back and down through Frankfurt into Bavaria and back and seen quite a lot of the countryside from the comfort of my coach seat (with Wifi access). Every turn and over a hillcrest saw another quaint village or castle that was amazing to my eyes. There was more snow in Nuremberg which was again such a novelty for this Brisbanite from the hot and humid part of this wonderful planet.

So today is again one of those bittersweet days that being a global traveller with global friends brings to ones life. All good things must come to an end and moving on is a constant in life. I will very much miss Manuel and his girlfriend Nora who have played exceptional hosts to this Aussie muppet on an Odyssey of a lifetime, and for taking me to Berlin. And thank you to Hiram and Verena for allowing me to stay in their home in Nuremberg and catch up with them in their new setting as they settle into their new life in Germany.

I have just taken a ride along the Rhine river and soaked in this beautiful mild day here in Cologne. Germany, until we meet again - Ciao :)

1 comment:

  1. Very friendly people of high culture. I was active in the nuclear disarmament movement in the 80s and the desire for peace was very strong in Germany. Now let us hope that we can alert the world to the conflict oriented mind set that plagues our relationship with non human intelligences of this planet and beyond.

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