Bed-bugs on a plane!

Guten morgen America!

I have been looking forward to coming to Germany... scratch that... Europe since '98, when I graduated high school back in England. It's a long time away from what I considered my second home.

I quit my job of 3 years because I was burnt out. Myself-from-10-years-ago would kick present-day-me's ass for settling, for being creatively defeated, and doing a corporate job that is initially pointless for me. I know a lot of people support themselves and their families with that job, they have a purpose. But I didn't. I don't need the money. I have no dependents. I figured I would quit and, as cliche as it sounds, discover myself again. I have money saved up, and I don't have to ask for vacation time, seemed like a perfect time to do it.

Why Germany? Germany was my most favorite country I ever visited when I was in high school. We had several school trips there. I wanted to go again at this age, because I will take it in with open eyes, versus the narcissistic world of a teenager.

It is as beautiful as I remember it. I was skeptical. I feared the mass-consumer culture of over-indulgence and convenience like America has taken over developed-Europe, as it has in urban England.

I am going to try hard not to make comparisons between the States and Germany, except when I really have a need to share something unique or profound. That being said, let me get these 2 comparisons out of the way. It's true. Beer is at times cheaper than water here. I am not saying that the beer is ultra-cheap, but the water is achingly expensive. Regular bottle of water everywhere is around 2-3 Euros = $4-5. Crap! Tap water is perfect, so I have that where ever I stay, but you cannot get tap water at any establishment without really harsh looks. I will spend $5 to avoid that look. Second comparison: People here have a diet full of potatoes, breads, cheeses, processed meat, and beer... lots of carbs. But there are very few fatties here. Tell me whats up America, you fat-ass.

My high school friend, Lory, lives a bit away from Frankfurt, who picked me up from the airport on Sunday (4/4/10). A couple of her friends, including herself, convinced me that there is nothing in Frankfurt... unless I was into the whole Red Light District thing, which I am not. Got a gorgeous one back at home ;) By the way, prostitution is legal here, but regulated for safety and reputation. During WW2, Frankfurt was pretty much demolished due to the air-raids from all sides. So the city was re-built, leaving very little pre-WW2 history. It's funny to think Seattle is has an older infrastructure than Frankfurt.

We went out to a salsa club in Frankfurt last night... yeah, that just happened. A salsa club full of Germans dancing away. I talked soccer (real football) with 2 of Lory's German friends, since none of us danced. Talking soccer and having a few German lagers, no talk about player stats or what a player/coach/manager should have done. The guys knew their place in the sport as spectators, not aspiring sports agent or analysts that I am surrounded by in the States (oops, comparison #3).

This morning I got up and took a 7 hr (that was supposed to be 5) horrible trip in the famous EuroRail to Berlin. It's not the systems fault, I didn't know that Easter was a huge traveling weekend for the Germans. So the trains were flooded, and took about 10-20 min extra each stop to load/unload passengers. And since I didn't have reservations for a seat, I stood for 5 hrs. Got here about 2 hrs ago, and its 11pm now. Berlin is much more lively. I just needed a place to sleep since I am beat, so I just came to Meininger Hostel right by the main station, and here I am telling my first story and experience thus far. Tomorrow my actual 'tourist' mode is switched-on.

Lastly, what is with the title of this first blog? Well, American Airlines apparently has bed-bugs in their seats... I felt 3 itchy bites around my body when I woke up for landing. I think Ryan Durr needs to write a famous letter to AA to wash the international seats!!

The blogs will become more lively, promise. Leave comments, and let me know what you would like me to experience, even write about. Thanks.