Another day on my story of European "trials and tribulations" has passed I would like to share it all with you. Bogdan woke me at 5:00 when I couldn't hear the alarm. I packed up all of my stuff and made a cup of tea. At 6:15 I thanked Bogdan and we wished each other the best. He really made me feel at home and I'm going to leave him a very good review on CouchSurfing. It was very cold, but not as cold as some of the cold days I've been through. It was still dark as I was riding 10 minutes to the Brussels Midi station. At a coffee shop, I got a Red Bull, pack of gum, and a croissant. At 6:45 I went to catch the train, but incredibly, the conductor told me that no bicycles were allowed on the train. I was in complete disbelief and he told me to go to a service desk downstairs. They couldn't help me, and I tried to sneak on the train but he caught me; then I tried to talk with the conductor about the situation. He refused and I was really, really upset. A nice German man saw how upset I was and tried to talk with the conductor, and he said the bicycle wasn't allowed on the train for insurance reasons. The two of them wrote me a sequence of trains that would take me to Wurzburg. First, I had to go to Liege, Belgium, and then to Aachen and Cologne, Germany. They were both very helpful and I thanked them for their help. So, I calmed down and went up to that track. It was biting cold and I tried to remain positive. At 7:24, I was on my way to Liege. This way I'm getting to see the pretty Belgian countryside. The dark gray skies made it a bit depressing. One hour later, I was in Liege. It is Belgium's third largest city. I had to wait an hour for the next train so I took that time to go out and explore Liege. While cycling, I noticed a pretty church and some interesting buildings. The buildings are mostly made of masonry, so it looks different than Brussels. The facade of the train station is rather expansive and a wonder in itself. I stopped at a bank and withdrew 70 euros because I'd rather have cash than to use my credit card all the time. At the waffle stand, I got a chocolate-dipped waffle. Belgium is known for chocolate and waffles, so i got the two together. At the train station I had to pay to use the bathroom. It's ridiculous that you have to pay to use the bathroom here. In Peru or Mexico it's a bit more understandable but you shouldn't have to pay anywhere to use the bathroom. At about 9:30, I was on my way to Aachen. The buildings are very fascinating and a young man pointed out a castle that I just had to photograph. A half hour later, I was in Aachen, Germany. It is probably the first town listed in the English dictionary or in an encyclopedia, and is situated right near the border between Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. I had a few minutes, so I got McDonald's for lunch. I then jumped on the next train to Koln (Cologne). That reminds me: I'm a cologne connoisseur. Germany is a photgrapher's paradise with all the beautiful buildings. On the train I met a member of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) who was on his way home. I was in Koln at about 11:30, and there was only one train to Wurzburg at 12:20, so I had to wait for a bit. Excited and relieved, I got on the train thinking that I'd reach my sister very soon with no problems, but as I was on my way one of the conductors told me that my bicycle on the train was a problem and that I had to get off, go back to Koln, and take another train. There were no problems on the other three trains. I was too upset (quietly) and I just sat there with my head down. The conductor called the police on me. Disappointment had filled me because of all these problems I was having here in Europe. This is the place that most international travelers visit first, and I've heard great stories from many friends, but it's been nothing short of a major disappointment for me. I didn't understand why she called the police because I was only following the instructions of the conductor in Brussels. I was alone, scared, and angry that nothing on this trip has seemed to go well. The police took my passport information and I politely explained the situation. They were nice to me and asked me what I studied, etc. During the Third Reich, the SS probably would have immediately arrested me and put me to death. I just had to pay 35 euros because I didn't realize I was sitting in a first class car when I had a second class ticket; it had nothing to do with my bike. I had to get off in Frankfurt and take two other trains to Wurzburg. The police pointed me in the direction of the train to the Frankfurt Main station. The LAPD would have never helped me out like that. The train ride to the main station was only about five minutes and the train to Wurzburg came only about five minutes later. Frankfurt's skyline looks very much like New York. The city is often called "Bankfurt" or "Mainhattan" because it is the economic capital of Europe. On the train I was talking with this nice German family who live near Bad Windsheim, which is where I was headed. It was very cold and rainy out, but the German countryside is so beautiful. Before I got to Wurzburg, I asked the conductor if there were any trains to Bad Windsheim and I found out there was. I had to buy a separate ticket. It would get me there at about 6:00. I got off at Wurzburg and I got on the next train. It was so cold out that it snowed briefly. The Alps block the passage of warm air from southern Europe, so I'd imagine that this part of Germany can get bitterly cold in the winter. I had to change trains in Steinach. By 5:30 it was biting coild. It's a good thing I brought my gloves but I feel like I should have brought a hat. I lost my nice Icelandic hat in Peru. Finally at 6:00, after 11 hours, more than $200, and lots of heartache, I was in Bad Windsheim. All I had to do now was get to the Pastorius Haus. So, I asked a taxi driver how to get there and I cycled away until I recognized the Pastorius Haus from a photo I saw online. I locked up my bike and went inside to warm up. Ashley wasn't back yet; they were in Nurnberg (Nuremberg). There was one room left for 28 euros, so I booked it. It's a cute little guesthouse in a small little German town. Bad Windsheim is in Bavaria, and seems like the type of place where everyone knows everyone. The haus didn't take credit cards so I had to get some cash. I thought I'd explore for a bit while I did that. At a coffeehouse I got this unique pastry that's kind of like a hollowed-out danish sprinkled with large bits of sugar. Outside I was talking with a nice German man who was telling me about some of the buildings. Some of the buildings were built over 300 years ago! I was impressed with the man's knowledge of American politics. It sure seems that everyone wants George W. Bush out of office. My opinion of politics is that it isn't science, it's bullshit. I wanted to get another pastry, but the shop had just closed. It was cold out, so I stopped at the ATM for cash and then decided to head back to the haus. Ashley still had not shown up yet. I paid the manager for my stay and put my stuff away. As I was exploring the haus, Ashley showed up. We were both very excited to see each other. I told her about all the problems I faced trying to get here. Her teacher's name is Frau Doerr; "Frau" is "Mrs." in German. I wanted to treat Ashley to a pizza at this restaurant that I noticed earlier, but her and her classmates wanted to go to this Indian restaurant and they allowed me to join them. We all walked to the restaurant. I tried this Indian drink called a vanilla lassi; it was alright. Ashley and her friends all ordered beer. I was a bit surprised, but the legal drinking age is 16 in Germany. Tonight I had a case of the giggles and Ashley kept picking on me for laughing, but I really needed to laugh after most of this trip being nothing short of a disaster. Staying with Bogdan, riding the London Eye, and standing on the Prime Meridian have been a few other high points. For dinner I ate pizza and French fries, and then got a beer to toast a good evening. After eating, Ashley and I gave Dad a call. I promised him money for the phone bill because when I had my phone in Peru, I didn't know that just by having my phone on, it was costing money and it ended up being $700 simply because I was using it as an alarm clock. I felt (and still feel) really bad about the whole situation. After eating, it was dark and cold and we started heading back to the haus. At one point Ashley joked about something and I laughed so hard that I was on the ground! I think the beer got to me. Back at the haus, I gave my love Teressa a call. I miss her so much, but I'll be seeing her in about three weeks. I then took a nice, long shower and called it a worthy night after a long and eventful day. I'll see you tomorrow night!
