(One Man, One reunion)

This entry is about a reunion, together after over a year. One cannot express the sheer joy experienced in being reunited after 14 months. In England I took this for granted, each of them different in their own special way, but each perfect for their own occassion. I knew it would be a long time until I saw even one of you again, but I saw more than one, and that made it even better. This was a special gift for a traveller, not many can say they have experienced such a reunion in a foreign country, able to share the joy with someone they met whilst travelling in another country. There we were, in Coburg Germany and I met you. Just the sight of you filled me with happiness and an overwhelming emotion, has it really been 14 months? It feels like yesterday I was in Yeovil with you! It feels like yesterday since I had you in my arms, I hate to use the word 'fat', but you were so big and I'm glad to say you didn't lose any weight! I took you through Coburg and to the top of the hill, the Hofgarten. There, I ate you. You did not disappoint. A succulent 'Traditional Ham on white', filled with salad. You were a little bit soggy from the lettuce, but it reminded me of the sandwich we usually get, store in the fridge and devour during a hideous hangover. Each bite was a memory, each bite took me to the beach where we'd sit and gaze into eachothers soul. You were the light at the end of my tunnel and now you are gone. Gone again. But it will only be another 5 weeks until I have you again, my love. 5 weeks until another reunion. 5 weeks, until you are mine once more.

15/08/13

Ich bin in Deutschland! Keine sorge, Ich werde nicht alles in Deutsch schreiben! It took 2 flights and 18 hours to get here, but it really wasn't bad! I set my watch to German time before I left, so on the flights I was able to sync myself. I slept from 9pm - 3am, which is obviously slightly off perfect synchronisation, and yesterday I was really tired most of the day, but I avoided naps and now I feel absolutely fine. When I arrived at the airport, it took me a long time to get my luggage and when I came through the gate Lisa was waiting for me. But instead of walking out of the gate like a normal person, I snuck around the side, behind a group of girls with a large banner and stood next to her. I edged closer and knocked into her slightly "Entschuldigung" I said. She gave me a pissed off look and then she realised. It was hilarious but she told me she knew I'd do something like that which was a bit disappointing, am I really so predictable? We drove to Coburg, both feeling extremely tired and at only 10:30 we arrived at Lisa's place. The rest of the day we did nothing but watch TV, German TV to be precise. The programs and episodes we watched, I had seen already, so it was useful. I picked up a couple of words and sayings and my German mission is set. This, I thought, would be perfect training, for in the evening we were invited to 'ein Grillen', you don't need to speak German to guess what that is! BBQ. It's summer, and we're in Europe. Although my travel in Australia showed me that Aussies do love their BBQs, they don't do them properly. Nobody does BBQs like the Euopeans, apart from the Brazillians (I've heard), but still! A proper coal & fire BBQ, an art form. But the most important thing was beer. I had Weißbier in a proper sized glass! There are things I missed about the cooler climate, and one of those things was having beer in big glasses! I was able to make some degree of small talk, but my nerves are always present. I mostly sit there and listen in to the conversation and if I understand even the subject, I take that as a win! I conversed with everyone, Lisa's Mum, Dad, and both Sisters. I felt most comfortable speaking German with her 7 year old sister, asking her things about the TV program she was watching. Their house is incredibly beautiful and very 'Wooden German' is probably how I'd describe it.

16/08/13

I am a tad hungover. Only the 2nd day, and I was taken to a bierfest. The big glasses I missed got bigger as I drank a Maß (1 litre glass) after Maß. It wasn't normal beer either, this is festbier, significantly stronger than all others. Although when we got there, I made the mistake as ordering the same as Lisa. Not because it tasted bad or was really strong, but because it was 'Radler' the German equivalent of Shandy. The worst thing? It costs the same as Festbier! What a waste of money! The bierfest itself was very unusual. I was imagining lots of bars or tents and when I got there it was more like a fairground! Still, the bierfest spirit was there. People walking around with Maßen, massive pretzels, wearing Lederhosen and Dirndls, I'll be honest; it was a great place to be. We're going back tomorrow and I can't wait.

In regards to my German, I think I should hold back asking so many questions to Lisa. As I'm staying with her, she is the person I see the most and the person I try to talk the most German to and therefore ask the most questions to. I think she's getting a bit annoyed.

17/08/13

A quiet day in, skyping and sorting out some stuff I needed to get done. The biggest thing that happened today was eating a vegetarian meal. I don't know how I feel about it. I feel like I've let my people down.

'The biggest thing that happened today' changed when Lara and Leo (Lisa's sister & brother in law) popped round and we went out for ice cream. Coburg at night is just as, if not nicer than, Coburg during the day. It was quiet, clean and relaxing. Quite the contrast to Asia! To be honest, it's quite the contrast to Yeovil! After the ice cream we went for a beer (naturally), and I had a Kefferbier. I'm learning things Rosetta stone would never teach me! Spending time with Lara and Leo was great, really awesome people; Leo in particular is a lad.

19/08/13

Yesterday was the most Bavarian day I think I could possibly have had, after breakfast that was! I woke up earlyish and had cornflakes (not Bavarian), then Lisa came and said we're having a family day! Okay! We got ready and headed over to her parents again. This time, we were going to the Alpine coaster, I had no idea what to expect, Lisa described it as 'sledging on a track', my mind went back to Vietnam with the rollercoaster to the waterfall and it was exactly that! It's good fun, you have breaks to use, but come on, as if! We had a couple of goes each before heading off to Schultzfest. This was the bierfest I've been to the past few days, we went out to the biergarten and ordered beer of course! There is a well known stereotype that Baverians like their beer, and yes, yes they do. 4 or 5 different beers were ordered, and when they arrived, everybody took a sip out of each others. It was really cool and demonstrated their love for beer. I joined in as much as I felt comfortable and then our food came. I felt like a fatty because I ordered a main meal whilst everybody else only had a small lunch. I stand by my decision though, I only had a small breakfast and what I chose was apparently very Bavarian: Schäufele mit kloß und sourkraut. The Schäufele I recommend to anybody who loves pork. It was the s***. The sourkraut wasn't what I was expecting, and I've eaten better things, but it's okay. We went from the biergarten to the bierfest. Lisa's Dad and Leo have a mutual love of beer, and I was happy to join them. I think this helped with the slight language barrier. All of Lisa's family I really get on with, they're entertaining and really great people.

Today though, today I met my own family members, the 2nd family members I've met over the last 14 months! My Uncle Rob, Auntie Gill and my cousin Max. I travelled to Nuremberg by train and made my way effortlessly to Haubtmarkt, catching up with them not only after 14 months, but longer! We went to the court where the Nuremberg Trials were held, this didn't really interest me much, but Uncle Rob seemed to be enthralled by it, and I learnt a new word; 'Kriegsverbrechen' (It means 'war crime') Each to their own I guess! It was good to see them all and I think it's the first time I've spent time with them alone since I was a kid, and I certainly felt a change of dynamics, it was interesting.

23/08/13

It's beer. I'm drunk, and I wrote that 20 seconds ago, but I can't remember where I was going with it. It's just beer! :P Beer, and family. I haven't written in a few days and things have been pretty casual since the last entry; hanging out and walking around gardens. Last night, me and Lisa went up to the Hofgarten to enjoy the festival that was going on in the square below, I had 4 beers, she had 1 bottle of wine and there were a lot of things which were ironed out. A wise man once said; "What can take 2 hours of meetings can be solved in 5 minutes over a beer". This was true last night. Me and Lisa got on like we were in Thala, and I'd be lying if I said it was like this the entire time I've been here in Germany. Things had been a bit rocky and naturally the drinks sorted us out. We headed to a bar, had some crap cocktails, a staggered walk home we hit the hay. In the morning, she joined me on the couch, both of us slightly hungover. I was lusting after an earl's sandwich. But this was the day my parents arrive, and thus, the sandwich of dreams. It was after 10 long minutes of me trying to look cool at the train station before they did, not acting excited or like a kid who has been promised sweets. Despite everything I've said, I was genuinely looking forward to seeing my family, the Earls was just a bonus. The train pulled up and everybody got off, none of whom were my family. Where are they? Did they miss a train? There is no way of getting hold of the... oh there they are! I walked towards them, each of them with a geeky hand luggage pullbehindsuitcase, my Dad runs passed me and hugs Lisa (DadLad) leaving me to deal with my Mum and sister's tears. When he returns, there's a genuine man hug with a look which I cannot describe. A certain level of emotion hidden behind a tight lipped smile came from both parties. I cannot vouch entirely for my Dad, but for me; I'm still in my journey, my explorational trip around the world and my parents, sorry; my family, have made their own trip to see me. Emotions were high and we went to their hotel. Things came flooding back. My Mum, my Dad, my Sister. These people, regardless what I might say sometimes, are the most important people in my life. We took the Earls and ate it at the closest thing to 'The Beach' I could find. I've already described the Earls in great detail, so I won't go into it again, but just to reiterate; It was glorious.

We split. There were things that needed to be done; Me and my Dad needed a beer. The kind of beer you dream about whilst travelling. A big, cool, tasty beer in a biergarten with your best mate, or better; your Dad. We had one, but stuff still needed to be talked about. I suggested a half, but another litre was on his mind. We had that and something which told me we were having a good catchup happened; Billy Borland didn't mind being late! We finished those beers and (I wish I could say 'half' cut) walked merrily back to the centre where we met the girls. We went to a restaurant around the corner and I think I might have been a bit too drunk to really focus on eating. I was full throttle chatty at my parents and sister, 14 months of stuff has happened, how could I not be?! It got close to 8pm when the shops shut and whilst Sarah and I still needed to buy alcohol for our catch up, we had to dash off. We bought wine and beer and headed up to the Hofgarten. Another great catch up, and definitely something I'm glad we did, just the two of us! Tomorrow; after breakfast I have the Steve-Mum catchup in the spa. Perfect.

26/08/13

The spa catchup was less than perfect, the Jacuzzi wasn't filled or even on, the steam room not steamy, but the sauna, tea and fresh showers were good enough. We were meeting Lisa at 12:30 to go to Bamberg. This was a trip my parents weren't too keen on at the time of inception, but were convinced after I had spoken to Lisa, her parents, and a random guy on the train. We took the short drive there and BAM! We were all glad we had made the trip. The bierfestival was in full swing; the Dirndls, lederhosen, music, parades, traditions, and of course beer, made the whole day fantastically enjoyable. Oh! I forgot to mention we found my mum a cheap dirndl when we were in town before the spa. She pulled it off a treat. Needless to say she wore it at the festival. Me and my Dad had a few beers throughout the course of the day, Mum on the alcohol free beer, Lisa on Radler and Sarah even tried a coke-beer mix which I had to finish! We had traditional bavarian food for lunch which I know I regretted in the evening. We were meeting Lisa's parents, Lara, Leo and Mina for dinner at Leo's favourite Bierhaus. If two people get on, there is no reason why their parents wouldn't get on, right? Right! Our parents, siblings and families got on like a house on fire. It's a shame me and Lisa see each other as more like brother and sister! It was an awesome night, filled with konterbiers (hair of the dog), bad German, and laughter. This was my favourite day with my family, it was just perfect.

Yesterday was more of a local day, after seeing Sarah off at the station, we headed up to the wet fortress at the top of hill. Because of the weather, the view wasn't too great, a misty rain blocking any chance of a view. It was a well kept, very modern looking castle, and that's about my take on it. It looks cool. We went around to Lisa's parents for coffee and cake and met up with them again for dinner.

27/08/13

Today, I left my family. But I did something that cannot be said by many travellers; I travelled with my parents. They were a part of my travelling for a solid hour and a half. Nothing of great significance happened on the trip, but the actual trip itself. I have moved from my own family into another German family. Sure, I'm sad to see them go, but it's only another 5 and a half weeks until I see them again, and yes, have another beer (or 3) with my Dad.