Germany: Welcome Sunshine!

This must make my 7th or so trip to Germany. Each time, I've been delighted by its geographical and cultural pleasures during some of the chilliest times of the year, usually around the Christmas holidays. On this occasion, however, Germany has greeted me in a very different way...with beautiful warm summer days and nights. I've been here in the summer before, but what I remember most from that trip were days of wearing sweaters and leggings...much too cool for someone who is used to humid, southeastern American summers.

Have you ever tried to explain something beautiful to someone to find that your words don't match your sentiment? Or have you ever been captivated by something so amazingly beautiful that you try to take a picture but nothing in your lens reflects what you're seeing in front of your eyes? Well, many of my travel experiences are like that. As a matter of fact, I find that many of the experiences on this blog are like that. Sometimes I ask myself why do I even bother but then I figure that these things, even if I cannot share them fully, still must be worthy of sharing, right? Beauty is beauty and sometimes beauty is made more beautiful by sharing it. Alas, the scenic beauty of southern Germany on a hot, summer August day cannot be captured merely by words nor my pictures.

A tidbit about me. I absolutely love the outdoors and nature's beauty. With every passing year, I believe my interest in the outdoors increases! I must thank the Ivory Coast for exposing me to so much organic life (ahem: the good and the bad). I mean, for the first time, I got to see many of the things that I consume regularly sprouting from the earth....: coffee, pineapples, rice, bananas, etc. So I was quite enchanted by the fruit and nuts I discovered on an afternoon walk in Germany's countryside. Cherries, walnuts, hazelnuts, plums, and apples are just some of the things that I saw growing in the wild as I strolled on a quiet, wooded area in Henfenfeld, Germany (population 1,890).

More than the countryside being beautiful, I think being out here in nature with more trees around than people gives me a chance to clear my head. In addition, since I don't explore nature as half as much as I should, being in the heart of it breaks up the monotony of my normal life.When I take a deep breath of country air and look around, I feel like God is giving me a great big hug. Nature can be so personal and pure. I love that.

Germany, My New Home for a Little While

Finally, made it to Germany! I spent 3 days in southern Germany before making it to the middle of the country where my new city exists, Kassel. 

Kassel is really not remarkable (the one thing everyone talks about is their newly crowned UNESCO heritage site) but it seems to be a nice city with a great quality of life. (Although everyone would rather be in Berlin...understandable.) There is a beautiful park (think smaller Central Park with very few people with wonderful views and small bridges) in walking distance. I did a 3.5 mile run this morning. Slopes, hills, lush greenery, stairways .... fantastic workout! (Little did I know how much my thighs would hurt the next day.) The air was crisp, fresh, and cool. Felt great! I can walk to work and practically everywhere including restaurants, bars, and the grocery stores...I guess like in most European cities. It is a refreshing change from the States.