Checking in from my third country – Germany! It’s now four days since I took the ferry from Gedser to Rostock. I’ve now made it to Berlin and gotten hold of some decent Wi-Fi for the first time since entering Germany. So far all (…well, both) my border crossings have been made by boat, and I’m still waiting to actually cross into a new country by my own force. This is something I’m really looking forward to as no matter how dorky it may seem, I just LOVE reaching those border signs, and take the mandatory ‘new country photo’ before actually passing them. From now on though, it’s just gonna be the bike and I until the very end of Eurasia. A distance I really can’t grasp at the moment.
Not only people are curious about what’s in my panniers
My bicycle safely buckled up for its second ferry ride
Since I left Denmark for Germany I’ve sometimes gotten the feeling that I’m back in northern Sweden, just at a different time of the year than I left it a few weeks ago. The green open fields has disappeared and been replaced by deep forrests with these calm and almost empty roads lingering their way between the trees. But even though so much here reminds me of home it’s still obvious that this is far from it. If the birds and animals, or flowers and plants wouldn’t be clear enough, not being able to properly communicate with the people around me definitely is.
The open green landscapes in Denmark…
…Surely didn’t come with me to Germany
I’m rolling through eastern Germany, the former DDR, which means that when I’m not speaking to very young people, my English is pretty much useless here. German or Russian are the options if you wanna make yourself understood here, and as I’m not speaking any of them, I’m mostly using another favorite of mine: body language! Even though it often takes some time, it still amazes me how easy it can be to communicate without really sharing a language.
During first couple of weeks on the road I was absolutely blown away by my luck with the weather. This week things have changed pretty drastically and I’ve been struggling with lots of rain and headwinds since I came to Germany. My first flat tire, issues with getting hold of Euros and a hurt hand have all come as small bumps in the road here. In some weird way though, I’ve actually been enjoying having to take on these small challanges.
I’ve told many people that the beginning of my trip has been ‘too easy!’, and I’ve been looking forward start overcoming the challanges you’re faced with while on the road. Getting food without cash or a working credit card, or keeping warm and dry when the sky is trying it’s best to make you drown being two obvious examples. They hardships on the road are not in any way worse that the ones you face at home – just very, very different. And there are few things I love more than watching my focus turn towards the very basics; eating enough, sleeping safely and keeping dry & warm while constantly moving forward at a steady pace.
This in tent German ‘body language dinner’ is a whole story in itself…
Even though the limiting language barriers, I’ve had great times with some really nice people on my way though Germany. Yesterday I made it to Berlin and am now enjoying a day off the saddle with new friends. I never thought keeping this blog would lead to so many people reaching out to help me out along the way. This time it’s Lydia from Germany who’s made sure to get me a place and stuff to do while I’m here. My biggest thank you to everyone who’s going out of their way to make this adventure what it is!
You’re all just amazing :)