I arrived to Berlin via the bus from Prague. This was my first time entering Germany, which was very exciting because a few years back I got German citizenship and have been traveling more freely in Europe on that passport. Germany was the first stop on my trip where I was able to reconnect with travel friends I made a few months back.

 

Berlin

Like many cities, I enjoyed taking a walking tour of the Berlin. This one gave a brief overall history of the the last 150 years of Germany as we walked through the city. I saw everything from parliament to holocaust memorials to remains of the Berlin wall. We also learned about the stumbling stones project where stones bearing the names of the victims of Nazism are placed on the ground outside where they used to live. There are thousands of these stones all over Europe. I wish I had known about it sooner, since I would have been able to recognise more in previous cities. Something our guide noted is that instead of having a memorial out of the city, they have a massive memorial that is taking up some of the most precious real estate in the city center. I found this to be a way that Germany is showing that it is taking responsibility and not running away from its past.

 

Berlin was also a great social stop, the hostel was fun and I was even able to catch up with a new zealand travel friend who is local to Berlin (and climbed Mt. Doom with me!)

 

 

Fulda/Sterbfritz/Altengronau

This part of the trip was very personal and not very touristic. My family on my grandmother’s side lived in a small town in Germany called Sterbfritz. I traveled to the closest city, Fulda, to spend the night. I stayed near their beautful castle and was able to go to the local synogogue for services. They even had a prayer book in English that was once used by members of the US military stationed in Germany during the war.  

 

 

In the morning I took a train and bus to the town. Unfortunately the town hall was closed, so getting some historical information was not possible. Instead, I walked around with a picture of the old house my family lived in but could not find it. Eventually I stumbled across a memorial dedicated to all of the Jewish population who had once lived there; some members of my family were listed.

 

I also was able to get a ride over to the next town, Altengronau. This is where a Jewish cemetery for the region is located, and was somehow not destroyed. I found members of my family dating back to the early 1700s. It was nice to see my family resting in such a beautiful and peaceful location.

 

 

Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart

My next few stops were quick ones. First I traveled to Heidelberg where I visited a travel friend from Bali. It was a cute town with a beautiful castle. I really enjoyed walking around the streets on a beautiful day. It was good to relax, see someone familiar, and stay in a home instead of a hostel. I followed that up with a day in Frankfurt.

 

 

 

My walking tour in Frankfurt explained a lot about what I saw when I got off at the main train station. The area is a “red light” district, something I have never seen before. Our guide explained that after the war many American soldiers stuck around to try to make centrally located Frankfurt the financial capital. Many women in the area were left without husbands and a way to support themselves. This led to prostitution, which led to crime and drugs. Due to high HIV rates, use of drugs became legal in certain areas in order to ensure use of clean needles, provided free at clinics. To explain how bizarre this felt walking around, here is an image I captured of a man doing drugs while a police officer right next to him is issuing a parking ticket:

 

 

In Stuttgart I visited two more friends I made in Thailand. Previously we shared a 14-hour sleeper train and painted up at the halfmoon party. Our time in Stuttgart was less eventful but just as enjoyable. We had dinner and drink on the high street in the town. I loved Stuttgart from the buildings to the people. I certainly hope to be back.

 

 

Munich

My final stop of many in Germany was Munich. There I was able to catch up with friends from Vienna and again in Berlin. Our group bonded and each week we were able to watch Game of Thrones together- I will miss having them to pause and discuss with. These friends told me about a unique hostel which was a giant tent! It was a great (and affordable) camping experience but very cold at night! I also met up with a friend I made in Krakow.

 

  

 

My time in Germany was amazing and it was really nice to visit so many travel friends. I really have made some connections all over the world. I would have loved to explore more but next up, meeting my best friend in Spain!