When I first started traveling, every goodbye was a stab to the heart. I was alone, on my first trip, in Southeast Asia, and I truly thought I would never see the people I met ever again. Travel friendships are intense because you spend such little time together. To my surprise, it has not been nearly as difficult to stay in contact and plan meet ups with my travel friends as I thought it would be!
I first met Matthias in Madrid, Spain. It was the very start of my solo trip to Europe last summer, and I had just walked 8 hours from the airport because I didn’t understand public transportation yet! We spent a few days together and he told me I had to go to Portugal, which was never a part of my plan. I took his advice and went to the hostels he recommend and had the time of my life! I met some friends of his working at Urban Garden Hostel in Lisbon, and even ended up working there myself! While I was there Matthias made a trip back over to hang out with our now shared pals Madi, Marissa, and Dylan.
A selfie from when Matthias and I met in Madrid! 
Matthias and Dylan in Lisbon! 
The group on one of our last days together in Lisbon!
The group even got so close that Dylan went so far as to get all of our initials tattooed on his leg, along with the German flag in honor of Matthias!
Before I left the U.S. for this study abroad trip, we planned a meet up in Boston, where Madi goes to school. Crazy enough, this trip to Germany will be the 4th time Matthias and I have managed to meet up since we met last summer! At the end of our Boston trip, we had already set the dates that I would come and visit. I brought Mary and Ria with me as well, and I love watching my friendships form between separate groups of my friends!
Our visit to Harvard 
We ate in little Italy severalll times 
Ice skating on frog pond!
Matthias and his family were kind enough to host us at his home, saving us some considerable money for the weekend. He also was willing to drive us from town to town, being our local guide along the way! We arrived at dawn after 13 hours of bus travel, Matthias picked us up and took us to his place for a nap and breakfast in Arbach. After we were well rested, we drove an hour and a half to Heidelberg. It was a rainy day in the university town. We started with a traditional German lunch. I had Hunters Pork Schnitzel with wheat beer. We then wondered around the town until pouring rain forced us in to a pub for some more German beers! Germany has a “purity law” for beer that limits the ingredients that can be used to make beer down to water, hops, and malt.
Beer has always been a bonding point for me and Matthias 
I daydream about this Schnitzel often
After a few pitchers shared between the group, excluding our chivalrous driver, the rain had subsided and we climbed up to the castle. The Heidelberg Castle was in ruin and had a beautiful view of the city. We debated the difference between castles, palaces, and chateaus, a topic Mary is particularly passionate about. Castles have walls or are in ruins, because their purpose was to defend. Palaces are usually grand lavish places that were designed to be lived in. Chateaus, a french word, are generally more equivalent to palaces than castles. We drove back to Arbach, and spent the evening meeting Matthias’ friends and having a great time playing games and trying to tackle the language barrier. Some of his friends were self conscious over their English, but of course we were nothing but appreciative that they were willing and able to talk with us!
Mary helped us keep a fast pace! 
We got just the right amount of sunshine to enjoy the castle
The parking garage we used had spaces reserved for women! Though not legally enforced, the spots are designated in areas that are well lit and close to exits. 
Matthias taught us some jokes and phrases in German to use on his friends!
The next morning we set off on the 3 hour drive to Neuschwanstein Castle, the original castle that inspired the design for the Disney castle. We left bright and early so that we would arrive with enough time to enjoy a typical Bavarian breakfast. It included white sausages, spicy mustard, a pretzel, and wheat beer. We decided we’d skip the tour of the interior castle to spend more time admiring the exterior and the natural features surrounding it. There’s a waterfall along a stream and an expanse of trees.
Neuschwanstein 
Once we had our fill of fantasy, we drove to Munich to continue our 2 day long beer tour. Our first stop was Hofbräuhaus, the royal beer hall. Here we had our second pretzel of the day (this one the size of my head) and my first ever liter of beer, followed by my second liter of beer! After the beer hall we set off for the festival. Our timing was perfect because we were in Munich for what Matthias referred to as, “the spring equivalent of Oktoberfest.” At first, we felt right at home at what seemed like a Nebraska county fair. Then we walked in to a large blue and white tent that was packed full of people drinking beer and dancing on tables! Many of the participants were wearing typical German festival attire, lederhosen and dirndls. We participated in the beer drinking and the table dancing until it was time for us to catch our night bus back to Olomouc. It was a perfect weekend full of friends, beer, and culture. Thank you Matthias!
Lederhosen! 
Are we back in Nebraska!? 
BAM NOPE Germany
Traveling Rays 