Like this:

I’m writing this at 3 in the morning, so pardon my spelling/ grammer.

We are now in Germany. Obviously I haven’t updated this blog since late july. But don’t fret, cool stories are on the way. I leave for the states in about a week. Chances are I’ll spend a lot of time at the airport, which is the perfect opportunity to catch up on the documentation of this trip.

West Germany to be exact. Ya, I know, the country is united and all again, but a 45 year hiatus can produce a lot of differences. I was last in east germany almost 2 months ago. A lot of stuff can be forgotten in 2 months (Hell, it takes me about a week to forget stuff) But one thing that is hard to forget is food. In my book food is the one thing that mankind always has room for in the memory bank. What is good to eat, and what isn’t. And if Ima be Honest here, The Doner Kebap in Western Germany is Shit..

On another note the people over here are a bit different. For whatever reason they come across as less friendly. Most of the people I’m meeting are my age, so that could be it. But I remember in Furstenwalde, people were pretty damn nice, definitely rivaling the States (that’s saying a lot too, In all my worldly travels, Americans are probably the nicest to absolute strangers)

It could be the community I’m staying in. I’m living in Wermerlskirchen (which means “Wermel’s Church” ) right now, with Kathi. (I may or may not have had a big crush on her Senior year of HighSchool…) Kathi’s family is pretty wealthy, Having a Sauna in your basement isn’t exactly normal for german households. But one thing is for sure, it’s not just her family.. It’s the whole Damn Town!
Tonight we went to the first day of the City Fest, known as Kirmisch (that’s how it’s pronounced at least… german spelling. It’d be Kurmish in good ole’ american.) And every one had leather Jackets. I know that sounds weird. (it Is!) but leather jackets are the bee’s knees here. And About a week ago I was shopping with Kathi, and she found a nice green leather jacket she liked ( I approved, it was pretty legit. Might I remind you I am an Apparel Design Major) Too bad it cost 200 something euros… I would have immediately left the store, but Kathi Himmed and Hawed for a good ten minutes… 200 euros? for a Jacket? “that’s a good deal though” says Kathi….
Jesus. Everyone owns a leather jacket here.

Anyway, I’m pretty sure there difference in attitude is related to wealth. People here are so wealthy they have little to no intrest in anything outside of their small world. They are so content with their daily lives, they don’t need to think about anything else (I would say Sherwood’s DoppelGanger). Obviously Kathi does’t fit in well with this crowd, but It’s interesting to see how she interacts with people, it’s Pretty similar to how Tim and I had to act in Highschool…
People in Eastern German are defiantly not as well off. 200 euros for a jacket. Out of the Question.
Especially for people my age (Christ, I don’t even have a job!). People in Eastern Germany also want to get the hell out. Only problem is that they want to go west. Ironically they’d probably be a lot happier if they stayed where they are…
Maybe it’s just My American coming out, But I expect people to be a little more friendly, or rather. Considerate.
Any who, it’s just my opinion, And my opinions meant squat.

We went back to Berlin this week because Kathi’s uncle was getting married.
We didn’t go to the wedding.
But we did have a great time in Berlin.
We met a Guy in Doner Kebap shop that had just moved from Turkey two weeks ago.
Possibly one of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.

I wish people were less Xenophobic.

Ciao,

GCP