Hitting the Wall

It’s a rainy day and I’m sitting on a bench in a German cemetery, communing with the spirits. I just finished a long walk in a nearby forest where the trees protected me from the rain as I gathered my thoughts.

I hit a wall today and when I woke up this morning, I wanted nothing more than to come home. Last night, after meeting yet another cousin and spending the day with him and his wife, I asked for a day off, not only for me but for them. Struggling with an unfamiliar language and playing host to a stranger is hard work.

Later…..Another adventure. I came back from my walk to find that the key I was given didn’t work. The thought of sitting outside for 4 hours propelled me to ask a neighbor if they could help. They did and now I’m back in my cousin’s house. Two days ago, after taking my first solo train ride to Wurzburg where I met old friends, I missed my return train in the busy Stuttgart Bahnhof (station) and was also forced to rely on the help of strangers. It’s a good lesson.

So far, I’ve been in Berlin, Pottsdam, Dissingen, Ulm and Wurzburg and now I’m in a suburb of Stuttgart, where my Opa’s (grandfather) house is three houses away. Yesterday, I was taken to the Solitude Castle, built by a duke in the 1600’s. It was beautiful and eery, and as I mentioned before, it’s hard to fathom how long ago that was and how many people have lived, loved and lost while living there.

I’m feeling much better after my walk and some coffee. I still have a lot to look forward to and have to remember to stay in the moment. Before I know it, I’ll be back in California and these experiences will be memories. The best part of being here is my cousin’s dog Felix. The wag of a tail and the kiss from a dog is the best possible medicine.

Til next time………