The Road to Prague

September 25th

It rained all day today. Again.

This is getting to be like one of those distasteful jokes, whereafter you find out you're on TV or something. 

All last week while it rained I would often duck into cafe's, under peoples' carports, or into bus stops in order to wait until it let up at least a bit. Today started no differently... until the second half where I was so drench that it no longer mattered. I just kept going. Soaking. While it rained. I figured that riding in the rain saoking wet is better than standing out of the rain soaking wet.

I rode almost 100km today...in the rain. With all my gear that takes about 6-9 hours. And there isn't mush else to do during that time than think. Today I mostly thought about the usual people in my life who make it so great - and more so how I am tired of not being around them. After spending a great 3 days with Alex, and getting to see Bastian's face and hear his voice over skype, today has been a harsh reminder of what being alone is like. Again. Furthermore, it will be at least 2 weeks before I am back in the presence of someone I love.

Today's ride was lonely and wet, and also quite dull. It is over 160km between Berlin and Dresden, and apparently most of it is nothing. The odd small town, a few farms spattered, some road kill splattered, but mainly just a lot of nothing.

I lucked out and found something after 6pm, as it began to get dark. And I am sitting here now, at the Calau Centre, in the super market. Drying off and watching the rain outside. My tent is already set up out back . I figure that is a safe bet since they aren't open tomorrow.....ugh, I know it is supposed to rain all day tomorrow too. And I am cold and lonely just thinking about it.

September 26th

8am

Soggy. A very wet and chilly morning followed my very wet and chilly night. I just finished cooking some red river cereal on my stove in the covered entrance of the Calau Centre. Had to put on freezing and wet shoes and found out he bag which I thought was water proof is in fact, not. The tent definitely is not. There is something kinda fun in all this though. I'm not sure what it is, but it must be, since I have caught myself smiling a few times this morning, and looking forward to the challenges ahead.

4pm

ON a train to Dresden. The cold, wind, and rain won. I think Germany is trying to make me hate her.

September 27th

2pm

Really? Is it the 27th? Well, I guess I'll make it to Prague on time after all.

Today is yet another grey, soggy day. But even the worst weather in the world couldn't take away from Dresden's beauty. This is by far my favorite city in Germany - even, so far this trip. I took more pics this morning that I had all last week.

I was told Dresden is a modern city, in large part because it had been flattened during the 2nd world war.But as it turns out, much of the ruins were rebuilt; such that today's old town is, in fact, newer than it's new tow. And it is gorgeous. It is everything I expected in a European city, but have yet seen since Helsinki.Definitely worth a visit.

Now that I am in the train station, waiting for my train out of Germany and I don't know if/when I'll be back, I want to just mention two things I've been thinking about.

1) language

2) accuracy

I've had a few funny ruin ins with language here. The day I blew my tire, I walked to a gas station and wanted to ask where to get my tire fixed so I pointed to my bike and kinda mumbled something and the lady pipes up, "Kaputz!?" and I was like, "yeah, how do you know that word!" That's what I say when things are broken.

I just today I was browsing a random German magazine while eating dinner and the title of the article was 'Gesundheit" , which I read outloud and realized what I had read, then a few moments later realized that when someone sneezes and we say Gezuntite, we actually are saying 'good health' to them in German! Who knew?

Secondly, I have to make mention of how unbelievably inaccurate everything seems to be here./ While riding my bike to Berlin, for instance, one sign said 107km to Berlin, the  next said 124km to Berlin, and another, only across the road to the second, said 112km to Berlin. Sometimes, the km signs differ by 2-3km and they are on the same side of the road! Furthermore, I have yet to see a clock in a train station that is working. Yesterday, the one cock said 11:15 and right beside it the other said 5:45 and it was 3. For a country that gives the impression of organization and structure, they sure aren't good with numbers.

Oh, an done last thing...the Donairs here. The one and only reason I am sad to leave Germany. Huge, warm, veggie filled donairs. For 2 Euros! There is something heavenly about a place where you can eat a warm meal and drink 2 cold beers, all for less than 5bucks.

4pm

Oh wow, this is one of those moments where I am reminded at how fruitless plans are; and how useless worrying is. Waited at the train station for 2 hours. My train arrived. I went to get on. I wasn't allowed on. Well, I was, but my bike wasn't. Apparently some new rule has just taken effect whereby bikes only go on the morning trains. So I am annoyed. And disappointed. But mildly curious. Why did the universe want me to stay here again one more night?


September 28th

And  So it got worse there before it got better. But my afternoon wandering through Prague's gorgeous old town almost had me forgetting having only 0.70cents in my pocket when the Nazi (yep, I can make Nazi jokes now that I am finally out of that godforsaken country)started screaming at me and pointing at my bike. A man, named Sebastian, saved the day and paid her 10euros to shut up, after which he apologized for 'the old school' people of his country. I will be buying him a beer downtown tomorrow.

Oh, Prague, sigh. I feel like a 14 year old with her first crush. This place makes me giddy, giggly, blush, and want to constantly bat my eyelashes. It may very well be the most beautiful city I have ever been in.

I probably walked over 10km. All over. I was getting embarrassed at how many pics I kept taking. What a tourist!

Also, as if this place could get any better (but it does) the beer is, hands down, the best beer in the world. And I am drinking one right now......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm