Day 3 in Berlin

The Maddens have reunited. Sean and I met at the Frankfurt airport on my way back from Paris and after his trek across the States and the Atlantic. We've been in Berlin for 3 days now, having nothing but fun but mostly just enjoying each other's company.

Despite feeling under the weather the past day or so, my spirits brightened as Sean and I rose from the subway today straight into the Christopher Street Day Parade.

What is this, you might ask? Well it's none other than the Berlin's biggest Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade. It was awesome! Much like SF's usual suspects, these Berliners were fit as all hell, had 6-inch fake lashes, and leather chaps were definitely one theme to the party. Think Folsom Street Fair.

The techno music was blaring and everyone was drunker than drunk and still drinking. Good times had by all.

Tourists

Yes, I am a tourist. I am one of those annoying American backpackers with little cash and a beat up metro map. I try to keep a low profile by keeping my camera tucked carefully away in my bag (not a backpack, mind you) and I've even pretended to read a Parisian newspaper whilst on the subway to avoid potential stares.

I do this because I like to travel unnoticed. I like to tour popular sights without the locals thinking I'm just another one of them. Even I, who lives in San Francisco, occasionally gawk at those on MUNI with a camera around their neck and I watch as they spin a map in efforts to orient themselves. I don't want to be another person's source of entertainment.

I rose early to make my way to the Notre Dame. Unfortunately, about 200 other people had the same idea but it was definitely a must-see in the 2 and a half days I had in Paris. No worries, I thought. I'll just keep to myself like I usually do and enjoy the architecture and the history.

This was what I had hoped to do. Instead I was herded into the Notre Dame like cattle, ushered past the displays while being blinded by the thousands of flashes (your pictures are gonna turn out horribly, people!), and tried to ignore the touristy vending machines placed throughout the cathedral. You know the kind where you put a penny in plus some euros and out comes the penny flattened into a tacky souvenir. I desperately tried to pretend those weren't there. Because otherwise, the Notre Dame is quite breathtaking.

All this time walking around and I see a lot but have no idea what I'm looking at. I find a quiet corner where there is a description of one of the sculptures. Perfect. I begin to read and I am suddenly pushed to the side by a Japanese tourist who is filming the text on his credit card size Sony handycam. Fine, I'll move, I thought. But then, he continues to step in front of me unconsciously, blocking my view each time I reposition and I am quickly irritated. I finally blurt out, "Jesus, I'm trying to flippin' read!"

And then I realized, I just used His name in vain in the Notre Dame. I'm going straight to hell.

Bonjour and Tschüss

I arrived in Paris early in the afternoon on Sunday and I can already tell it is one of my favorite cities. It is beautiful in every way, and I'm sure those of you that have been here will agree. It's been 8 years since I've spoken a lick of French but I'm making my way around all right. Unfortunately there is also a smattering of German words mixed in. I think the French feel sorry for me and just appreciate my efforts.

I've already been to two boulangeries in 3 hours. At this rate I can only imagine my French will be perfect by Wednesday when I meet Sean in Frankfurt. Perfect being that I can pass as a local when ordering crépes and baguettes.

Go Team!

To my dear GSE teammates,

Thank you for putting up with me and my antics these past 28 days together. We never fought, we laughed A LOT, and I know we will have some amazing memories that will stay with us for a long time. I miss you all already and I cannot wait for our reunion when I return.

And I promise there will be no more complaints of spargle, schlöss, and kirche overdosing. I hope to not see any more for a long time.

Hope you all make it back to the U.S. safely.

I left my heart in San Francisco

We are in our final days of this GSE adventure, with the program officially ending on the 17th. To sum it up, it was an incredible learning experience and a lot of fun was had, but it was also physically and emotionally draining. Even today during a tour of the 100th church during our stay (don't even get me started on the number of castles I've seen), my mind had checked out. With the last week remaining, the team definitely has the end in sight. However, my sights are set on Sean’s arrival, which is now in single digits in the countdown! He will arrive in just 9 days and I cannot wait! I’ve been here for almost 4 weeks now and feel completely exhausted and missing SF, however, the thought of his arrival changes everything. It will mark a whole new beginning for my time in Europe. I’m all smiles just thinking about it!

If you do the math, this leaves about 3 days between the end of my exchange and his arrival. I’m taking advantage of this time and have booked myself a bullet train to Paris (just over 3 hours from Frankfurt) and a backpacker hotel in the Montmartre district. My only expectations during these days are two-fold:
1) visit as many bakeries as possible, and
2) eat as many pastries as possible

I can only promise that I will try my hardest. Which is dependent on how far my broken French can take me. Let’s just hope I don’t get slapped across the face.