I knew the language thing would be an issue for me, but I wasn’t quite aware how much of an issue. Not being able to communicate well with most of the people around me really bugs me. Not that many of them seem to be interested in talking. The weather has been totally clear the past couple days.
It didn’t take me long to figure out I overpacked, but traveling in second class on the national rail system drove the point home. One suitcase partially underneath the seat in front of me, my gym bag between my legs, and my backpack on top of my legs. And still the suitcase invaded the legroom of the seat next to mine. A teensy bit cramped. There was no apparent luggage space, other than an overhead rack to short to accomodate anything but my backpack, which has all my entertainment materials. I’m not sure whether there’s a baggage checking arrangement, or you’re just not supposed to bring that much stuff in second class [, moron].
I finished Skipping Toward Gommorrah on the plane to Frankfurt, yesterday. It’s a pretty good book, overall. The premise of the envy section is weak, and the pride section is redundant with much of his other writing (though still relevant and well thought out).
I’m probably going to rent a bike and check out the castle today. Joe told me where I can find a veggie friendly place around here. This trip segment solidly makes the point that two days anywhere is not a very long time. grr, sigh.
I want to find vegetarian (at least, vegan would be nice if swingable) versions of the local cuisine; it’d be cool if I could find a local homo establishment to meet people. My goal in going on this trip was to expose myself to different cultures. To really do that, I feel like I ought to be speaking to locals, getting to know them, forming transcontinental friendships. Whatever, no time for any of that. This is cranky scu speaking.
Mmmm! *peers into your life* so interesting!
Hope you find vegan boys!
I know those trains you’re talking about. I guess you’re just supposed to put your luggage between your legs or on empty seats next to you. Too bad if the train is full.
Germany is not a particularly vegetarian-friendly country. The traditional cuisine is about meat, meat, meat and more meat. I’ve seen restaurants where the entire menu contained a single vegetarian dish- a vegetable plate- and that contained bacon pieces in it. The waiter would not understand that bacon is still meat even if it is only considered seasoning.
The bottom line is, unless something has radically changed in the last 10 years, as a vegetarian in a “traditional” restaurant, you’ll be eating nothing but fries and lettuce.
It embarrasses me that my fellow Germans know so little English that you can’t talk to many of them. But I think it’s a lot better with young people.
I would say that you’re here at a good time though – the asparagus season is in full swing, and there are many traditional dishes based on asparagus. I’ve even seen two that would qualify as vegan. However, Richie’s right – Central Europe is not an easy place to be vegetarian if you want to eat local food. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options in Dusseldorf, but not many of them are German!
Take lots of pictures. 🙂
Sie Sprechen Deutsch Nicht? Schade.
Personally, I think Dan Savage is an asshole. However, I do enjoy his writing. Go figure? Ich spreche etwas Deutsch.
For what it’s worth, my interaction with locals while in Spain occurred as a result of extremely lucky fifth-degree connections…friends of friends of a second-cousin’s partner. I made more connections with other tourists…not Americans, but Germans, Bulgarians, Brits, etc. Those were equally rewarding.
I hope you find some time to slow down the pace of your trip and get to meet some folks!
What cities are/will you in?
Re: Skipping
I thought it was preachy and irritating (if my two-year-old memory is correct) even though I agree with him on many, many things.
do you not know anyone around there? did you just decided to do that trip for fun?