Herbstferien

I am a week and a half through my two week fall break, and it has given me a lot of time to explore Northern Germany. I visited Hamburg with a few girls from my school, I went to Hannover with my host family to visit relatives, and I just returned from a short trip with a friend I made at language camp visiting Celle and Bremen. These ventures have made me fall deeper into love with this country--the cities and the gorgeous countryside.

On Monday, I arrived in Celle to meet up with Fiona. After a big hug, we walked out of the train station and straight to the closest cafe for some much needed caffeine and pastries. We caught up on host families, school, embarrassing stories, etc. and continued on to the main part of the city. Celle has small German town charm with large attractions, such as the Schloss Celle, a small castle in the middle of town. We took too many photos, walked too paths, and ate too much bread, so we decided to head home to Fiona's host family in Lemwerder around 7:30.

The next day, we awoke to fresh Brötchen and coffee, then prepared ourselves for another day of travel in Bremen. We took a train to Bremen's main station, and shortly after our arrival I decided to stop by the ATM. Much to my surprise, my card wasn't working. I remained as calm as possible while I tried several more times on several other international ATMs. Eventually I found wifi somewhere to check the balance on my account, and was forced to bite my lips to keep from screaming as I saw the balance "$6.20." "Don't freak out," Fiona said. Easier said than done, considering I had zero cash, and I still had to buy a train ticket at the end of the day to get back to Lüneburg. I knew I had gone a little overboard with my spending over break, but I was nearly positive I had left money on my card, but I was determined not to let that ruin my time in Bremen, despite how much it was actually bothering me. Fiona generously offered to pay for my ticket home, allowing me to pay her back at another time.

We began walking to the main part of the city--several of the locals stopped to stare at the fumes omitted from my head. "I'm fine," I said to Fiona on our way, even though I was not really feeling fine. However, once I stepped into the city market my feelings changed. The architecture--the unbelievable grandness of the buildings--was enough to make me forget about my monetary strife. Bremen was exquisite. Just in front of me was the Bremen Roland. To my left was the Bremen Rathaus. On the outskirts of the square was St. Peter's Cathedral (pictures below). How could I be upset when I had these stunning structures before me? Fiona and I strolled around for a while, taking pictures and reading plaques, then decided to stop for a bite to eat (on her tab, of course). Our stomachs were satisfied, and we took off again.

Our next pursuit was inside the cathedral. As soon as I set foot in the majestic church, I was lost for words. I took some pictures for my memory, but the photos couldn't do it justice. After about 15 minutes of being inside, I stopped to sit down in one of the pews to basque in the glorious and ornate details. Just sitting there, I realized how fortunate I was to simply be where I was. I spent the first part of the day upset because I didn't have the money I wanted for this excursion, but I had an epiphany. Who cares? I was in the presence of phenomenal history, and incredible culture. This led me to think of many other complaints differently as well. My feet hurt: I was walking through one of the most beautiful cities I had ever seen. My German still sucks: I spent two days with a great friend who could relate to my frustration with the language, and didn't care because we could finally speak and understand someone perfectly for the first time in two months. I missed my friends and family: they are thrilled I can experience moments like the one I am having now--they are even jealous--and I will be reunited with them in just seven months. And that's when I had an even bigger realization: I only have seven months left in Germany, and I cannot spend those seven months fretting about things that don't matter. I cannot sulk. I cannot pout. I will not take anything for granted. The opportunity in front of me is something some people only dream of, so I do not intend to waste it.

Fiona and I sat in the church together for a little while longer, and after recognizing our fortune, we headed with kind intentions to a bakery for some Brötchen. We walked through the park and back to the train station, stopping on our way to give the bread to a homeless woman sitting on the side of the street. "Möchtest du Brötchen?" I asked her. She looked up at me and smiled delightedly. "Danke schön! Danke schön! Danke!" she replied. As we stepped away she bowed her hooded head, and began to pray. I had never seen anyone so grateful for two 13 cent rolls, and I had never been so happy about spending that 26 cents.

At the train station, Fiona and I said our goodbyes, and separated to find our trains home. I boarded with my ticket which Fiona had purchased for me, a smile from making someone else happier, and a new perspective.