Halfway there...

Day: 10

Countries: 3               Cities: 6

Nuremberg, Germany à Berlin, Germany

Halfway there...

Tuesday 29 December 2015

We are officially to the halfway mark of our trip (or basically there at least). Our tenth of twenty-one days of travel. And almost literally between the first five cities and the last five cities. In a way, this train is taking us more than just from Nuremberg to Berlin. It's taking us from the first half of our trip to the second half. And there's almost a different tone or atmosphere of sorts surrounding each half. Like the first was so full of newness and excitement and perhaps some unsurety. Maybe even a tad more energy. Plus we had the added nuance of looking forward to Christmas and the magic of Christmas markets and lights and displays, which brought both joy and a tinge of hmmm... I am at once relieved to be through with Christmas and a touch sad. Because now I'm ready for it more so than before. Now I'm ready for it to feel like Christmas and everyone is taking down their festive decorations. Oh well.

In a way too, I think the first half of our trip was comprised of places that shared many similarities—from cuisine to architecture. And the transition from one to the other was not so abrupt, but rather subtle, smooth. And it was marked by many a quaint place. Having Germany and Austria for the last week or so, especially cuisine wise, has been another aspect in which I think we are ready for a change. And though we will still be in Germany for almost the rest of the week, perhaps there will be a bit more variety in Berlin. And then it's time for something completely different with Amsterdam, Dublin, and Belgium. But I'm excited.

Finally, one last marked difference between the two halves (which might actually end up being more like two or three more marked differences that I'll try now to pass off as one): we've learned a lot about traveling in the last week or so. On the last and also on today's train ride, we navigated to and boarded and sat down on the train without any problems whatsoever. Making it around the cities, to and from our hotels, figuring out what we want to do and making our ways around the cities and seeing everything there is to see and treating ourselves and experiencing everything...we are getting better at all of it. This marks our half of travel as more seasoned travelers.

We are also becoming exceptional walkers, racking up steps and miles like nobody's business. And while we fall asleep the moment our heads touch the insubstantial pillow, and though we can start to feel it now and then in our tired muscles and feet, it really hasn't been so bad. We aren't utterly exhausted like I worried we might be. And I hope that trend at least carries over into the next half of our trip. And it's also a little bit sad, because every day now that we travel, while we are traveling geographically farther away from Athens still, it's almost like we are traveling now to Athens—as each day brings us closer to being home. That doesn't have to be sad necessarily I guess. Just means we have to be extra sure to make sure we take advantage of each moment and enjoy this trip and all it has to offer while we are here. Seize each day. Carpe diem, right?

Okay, one last thing. We have been fortunate to have had really pretty great weather on our trip so far. With the exception of Budapest it has been sunny and not too chilly. Not nearly as cold as we were anticipating and (mentally/clothingly) bracing ourselves for at least. As I look out the window, roofs and fields alike are frosted over like the frosted panes of the department stores not too long ago. Only this frost didn't come from an aerosol can. It came from cold. I hope we don't run into awful/cold weather but can continue to ride our good weather luck a bit longer.

But anyway. That's about it for now. A midway report of sorts. A look back and also a look forward. As we make our way from one half to another. From Nuremberg to Berlin. With music dancing in my ears, breakfast dancing with residual hunger in my stomach, and the sparkling carbonation bubbles dancing in my esophagus as I drink the mineral water I didn't realize wasn't still water when I bought it. Here we go. The foggy frosted landscape passes by as we travel backwards but forwards onto our next destination. We still have ten(and a half) days. So this isn't a sad post by any means. There's still so much to see and do and experience.

Open eyes to what is around you. Keep your ears open and listen to what is said (in whatever language) and what isn't, feel the energy coursing through each new place coursing through you, smell the air (fresh or smoky or tangy), taste new dishes and delicacies, treat yourself. Experience. There's life to be lived. Adventure awaits. And η ζοη είναι ωραία. J (Life is beautiful)

~

A pretty good day. Berlin is huge. Not quite as magical but still nice. We pulled up to the station about 2:30 and then proceeded to try and find the rail office to make reservations for Friday so we will have one less thing to worry about that morning. We will need to get an early start after a late night and it's better to just have all our ducks in a row. The worker who helped us seemed surprised that we lived in Greece and that it could still possibly be nice to live in Greece right now—“I guess if you're not poor" he said rather condescendingly. Anyway.

We stepped out of the train station into the startling chill of the biting and whipping wind welcoming us to Germany. It's colder here than we've been all trip and it looks like it'll stay chilly the rest of our time here. Oh well. We made it via bus to our hotel and checked in. It's decent enough but the beds slope back downwards so all your blood rushes to your head, the pillows are so thin, and right now the internet doesn't work.  Take a second.  Step back.  Perspective.  Breathe it in and let it out. The train ride was nice. It's nice to be warm and laying down right now. The door is locked. And we have two full days left here.

After we settled in we layered back up extra and then headed back out into the chill. We walked and found the mall, sharing some French fries before shopping a bit. But didn’t really find anything. And if it's going to be this cold, may not end up wanting anything new anyway (unless it’s a new parka!).  After the mall we set out and walked a bunch to get to an area we hoped would have food. The restaurant we were walking toward ended up being closed, but we settled for a Mexican place that wasn't too bad. And then after we were craving dessert and stumbled upon this Italian restaurant that we should have just eaten dinner at. But oh well. It worked out because we had dessert there and it was delicious! And we just sat and chatted for a while and then made our way back to the hotel via cab and then there's been all this hassle with the Internet. But now I'm all caught up for the day and I think it's time to go to sleep so we can start the next day soon enough and hopefully better. Night! 

~