Goodbye Frankfurt (Berlin bound)

"Let's go out for a drink." The start of our night began with this line.

I had stayed home all day to catch up on some much needed rest. I has fixed my computer the night before by running the automated disk repair tool. So with my  newly ressurected POS I contacted couchsurfers in Berlin and Prague - my next destinations. I got good news very soon. Zuzzana a couch host in Berlin was going to host me for the next three days. 

Since it was my last night in Frankfurt Min and I went to a meetup party in the university area. I got to try some more local brews. I also met some cool people like Derek and Simon.

Derek is a patent attorney from US working for a chemical company. He explained to me the history of patents, the difference between design and utility patents. It actually doesn't sound that cool when I write it down but it was really interesting. Like did you know - design patents were first started in the 1800 and was first used for a textile company. Well now you do!

Simon is a PHD student from Ghanna studying political science. His field looks at how we can help people with special needs in a case of natural disaster. We had a really great conversation about the Geo political situation and educated each other on our countries histories. Ghanna won independence about 50 years ago and is the model of most African countries when it comes to democracy and industrialization. We had such a great connection that Simon offered to host me if I ever visits Ghanna! Sweet Africa 2014 :D

Simon & I

 

Me and Derek

Peace from the ICE bound for Berlin

German food and long lost brother.

Finally arrived in Germany and its quite a new experience going around feeling like I am a mute person. It was a good idea to start my travels in France to ease me into the groove of traveling alone. 

Once I got off the train getting to my friend Min Kyung's place was quite easy. Min Kyung is a friend from Korea who speaks French because he studies art in France for 3 years. It was awesome catching up with him again. Originally working for a company in Czech Republic as Quality control manager for Hyundai. Min Kyung recently moved to Frankfurt for his new job at LG. Oh and did I mention he has an Austrian girlfriend? So I guess you can say he is pretty PIMP. 

For lunch he took me to a German restaurant where we stuffed out faces with meat. Gotta say Germans really like spice meat if you know what I mean. But it was good! The portions were so huge we took 1/2 home for dinner and were still stuffed. I also tried German beer for the first time. I was quite surprised as there was no water on tap lols beer is water apparently in Germany. 

Christmas market here had a lot of different stuff than the ones in France. I tried applewein which as you guessed it is hot apple wine. It had a tangey after taste and got exponentially better the more I drank it. Since I don't drink alcohol normally I don't know if that is because I am acquiring a taste or it is simply the by product of drinking apple wine.

Frankfurt as a city is quite similar to North American cities. There are a lot of new tall buildings because of all the banks. In fact the European bank is here. This is where they print the Euro. The center of the city is the old town and has a similar vibe to Quebec city actually. It almost made me miss my home until I checked the temperature in Quebec - minus 18 degrees! 

Here in Frankfurt we are at a solid 5 degrees  to which I am thankful for. 

European Central Bank where money is made!

Minkyung and I

I like big sausages and I cannot lie

Infront of the Opera house

Having my first German beer

So much meat - super salty though. Now I understand why Germans drink so much beer lols. 

Peace from Frankfurt.

I fuckin love trains!

Where can you meet awesome people? Trains! 

I took the train from Strasbourg to Frankfurt and met a wonderful Swiss girl Nicole who helped explain the train situation here in Germany. The lights on top of the seats will tell you whether it is reserved, if it is not and you have no reservation you can simply sit down there.

Nicole is a social worker in Swiss. She is visiting her friend in Mannheim for a two day trip. But she graciously offered me a place to stay in Basel, Switzerland! I might just take her up on that offer after Frankfurt or Rome.

Peace from the ICE bound for Frankfurt.