On older guy starts talking to you in Dutch, of course you give a blank stare and say "I don't speak Dutch", so he switches to English. He fills you in on what is going on, and says he is going to get coffee...you agree that's a good use of time and get off the train. You chat amicably, and you think you hear him say "he is a model"... with that leathery skin and old face?!? Coffee in Germany is half the cost, well, it ended up being free as he paid. You stand outside and make small talk, and start to realize it is getting close to time. As you turn to get on the train, the doors are shutting. Oh shit. The train people say they won't open again, and you have to run to the front of the cars. You are regretting this silly conversation with this "male model" (he does show you pictures he has taken...I guess they do need someone to do the prune juice ads...?).
Thankfully you are able to board the train, much to the train staff's frustration for now making them 2 minutes late. You're not keen on continuing to talk to this man, so you sit down and put your headphones in and your nose in your book. But of course, some people never take hints and talk to you still...
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| See the station through the window?? |
You check out the city on your handy map, and set off by foot, following the signs to the center. You found a place that seemed decent for lunch, but you didn't realize that the geriatric committee was meeting there. Never-mind, a good bowl of soup, a glass of wine, and a sandwich will make you happy. It's raining a little, but nothing too imposing.
After your late lunch, you walk around a little more - find the 2 opposing churches - protestant vs catholic. You also seek out the local brewery... what else is there to do, this isn't the most populous, touristic city. You'd checked and the concert was at 7, so you have time - but you would be missing most of the German (Munich Bayern vs Dortmund game that ALL of Germany was watching).
You head back to the hotel to get ready, have dinner, and walk to the venue....only to find that, it was 8...great, lots of time to kill... Tweedledee. You do spot your lover (Rocky), his tour manager, and the brother eating at a restaurant, but decide it's too creepy to go in there yourself. So back to the hotel you head.
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| Locally brewed beer and very thick bread. |
When you arrive again (you creepy person you), you learn, nope, the show doesn't start until 9....you stop for fried ice cream. Good choice, by the way. And by the time it's all said and done you can finally arrive at the concert at 9... when he won't even go on until 9:30...but you pass the time talking to the tour manager, who you'd met at the last show you went to (stalker).
Finally, Denison Witmer comes on, and as promised, his music is good, but his wit between songs better (he makes fun of the venue name - Klein Freiheit - which means little freedom, he jokes that us Americans are ambassodors of freedom to the Germans...). You must have his cd, and tell him how much you like Philly.
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| The fried ice cream |
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| Klein Freiheit |
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| Denison Witmer |
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| The Man and his Brother |
Finally, the moment has arrived, Rocky and Cody are playing. You're a little unsure where to stand, the place isn't packed, but you don't want to push to the front and show everyone the creepy person that you are....but your spirit is lifted, and you know you made the right choice in coming here. You even get a song that is dedicated to you (if some idiot could have stopped singing and swaying along, you could hear it...here's someone else's recording with an intro that may have fit why he dedicated it to you...).
You are on cloud 9, and can't stop smiling.
After it is all over, you stick around and talk to the "band" a little, you point out that you and Cody have a mutual friend (acquaintance, whathaveyou), Rocky hugs you and thanks you for coming. You couldn't have asked for a better evening.
You thought about grabbing a drink at the hotel bar, but not after the way those dudes in the corner were looking at you. Instead, you make use of the bathtub (I mean comeon, they are few and far between in Europe!), and enjoy reading more of Ender's Game before drifting to sleep.
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| Such a lonely statue |
On Sunday, there isn't much open (ok, there really isn't ANYTHING open). You dawdled getting ready and reading over breakfast at the hotel, and now, you're tired of walking... so you find a coffee shop to sit for a bit. You've worn out this little town, and are ready to get back on the train.
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| I should have zoomed in more - there is a "fire fighter" looking like Mannken Pis (which you would know about if you went on a Brussels adventure) |
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| The yellow flowers - Rapeseed - or as we know it "canola oil" |
The train ride home is eventful, as you have a few hard stops and then have to get off and board another 2 car train to the next station, where you get off and have to change again...no matter, you're back in Holland and know your way now. You congratulate yourself on choosing the right path and not being tempted by fame and fortune. I hope you choose as well on your next adventure my friend!
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| This was taken in Holland, but I wasn't going to make him pose again in Germany. |
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