The final chapter...Germany and the Netherlands

The last hurrah of my travels was a whirlwind of friends and northern European cities. From Spain I made my way towards Germany where I was greeted in Munich by snow, freezing temperatures, and Karl Gajan--the same Karl I traveled with in Egypt.  Even despite the cold, Munich is an enchanting place. 

Marienplatz - Mary's Square

Munich remains solidly Catholic--here this cherub slays a serpent representing Martin Luther and protestantism

We were sure to find time for German beer and pretzels.

Next I headed to the west, to the university town of Tübingen where my cousin Hanna lives.  A recent transplant to Germany, Hanna spent most of my adult life in Japan, so I hadn't seen her since I was very young.

Here's to red-haired McGaugheys!

Tübingen's Neckar River.  Every resident will proudly point out the yellow tower in the background as the place where Romantic poet Friedrich Hölderlin went crazy.

A weekend wasn't enough time to get caught up on the last 10 years of each others' lives but I had to head north to the Netherlands for a rendezvous with my old Packer friend Tim Klasson.  Tim is a PhD student in molecular biology at Utrecht University.  We spent 2.5 days exploring Amsterdam, which is a wild place.  Here are some of the tamer photos. 

Amsterdam, with its many canals, is called the Venice of the North.  But unlike Venice where the canals are far superior to the streets, these canals serve mainly as tourist thoroughfares and homes for houseboats. 

So Dutch!

The Old Church (Oude Kerk), right in the center of the Red Light District

I returned to Germany for a few final days with the Gajan family.  They live in Oberbillig, just across the Mosel River from Luxembourg.  My family has actually been to Oberbillig once before...15 years ago!

Ray and Dave unite on the River Mosel, 1998.

I found time for a day trip to Luxembourg, one of the smallest and richest countries in the world.  It serves as one of the three headquarter cities of the European Union. 

Sophia took me to nearby Trier, Germany's oldest city.  Founded by the Romans, it still has roman ruins scattered around the city, like the Porta Nigra in the background. 

I got to end my trip in the same awesome way it began, 10 weeks ago in Egypt--hanging out with Sophia! Now she has cooler headgear. 

Well that's it!  It's been grand.  Next and last stop....Brooklyn.

Madrid is about THE PEOPLE

After Barcelona, Laurika and I took a night bus to our final destination as a traveling duo—Madrid.  There, Laurika spent a mere 2.5 days before heading home to the US.  I can’t believe she’s gone after 6 weeks of traveling together!  

What set Madrid apart from the other cities we’ve visited, is the people we know there.  Laurika and I each have 3 friends in the Spanish capital and it was such a pleasure visiting them. 

We stayed with Berta, who I met on my first trip to Spain a year-and-a-half ago.  Since then, we’ve taken a road trip up to Montreal together and now hung out in Spain once again.  The red and yellow alien in sunglasses is my favorite French-Columbian, Mafe, Berta’s roommate. 

I got to spend a TON of time with my old friend Jen who I studied abroad with in Mexico with 4 years ago.  I also had the pleasure of meeting her Scottish boyfriend Oli.

Aside from our newfound social lives, we also explored Madrid.  Highlights included an excursion to the castle of Manzaneras with Berta and Mafe, an anti-austerity protest, and an open-mic night of fabulous guitar music.  Next up for me is…Germany!

Castle of Manzanares...let's do a jig.

Charlies Angles...?

Man-date with Oli at Madrid's Temple of Debod

Anti-austerity, anti-corruption, anti-privatization of public services, anti-Angela Merkel--you get the idea--demonstration. 

Naturally we took part. Here Laurika met up with her friend Amy from Yale.

"Hunger, Ignorance, Sickness...Three Huge Businesses."  Spain has a staggering unemployment rate of 26% with an astronomical rate of over 50% for young people like us. 

When I wasn't protesting, I did get to take a bike tour...to see what it's like as a customer instead of a guide.  Here we dodge mounted police in Plaza Mayor.

Madrid's royal chapel: San Jerónimo el Real

Thanks to Mafe, I ended up playing a quick song at a local open mic night, Musica Por la Voluntad.  Everyone was supportive of this virgen extranjero.

We went out to dinner with Catalina.  Okay the connection here is difficult to explain.  15 years ago, Catalina used to babysit Laurika’s best friend!  So therefore she would often babysit Laurika as well.  Amazing to see someone after that long.

 

I also got to see someone from my childhood—Javier Martin.  Javier lived with my family for 2 years in the mid 90s when he was a student at Brooklyn College.  I saw him a year-and-a-half ago in Madrid but I didn’t get to meet Karen, his amazing 9-year old daughter, until this time around!

ANDDDD finally, Laurika spent her final hours in Spain with family friends: Wade, Carmen and Jon. Yay for friends!