Germany off the beaten path

Have you tried to ingrain something in your brain so hard hoping that it will always be a great memory?

As I whizz past the endless fields,  the cattle and horses grazing, I try so hard to take in as much as of it as I can. I want to always remember these curvy country roads, the random horse-drawn carriage, mountain bikers and the endless motorcycle riders enjoying a beautiful spring day. I turn my head and I see the mountains dotted with houses and the vineyards on one side with a stream from time to time and an old church or castle if I look up in the distance.

The view while riding

Despite the fact that I’m not one for roller coasters or rides of any type, I don’t hesitate to get on the back of a motorcycle with my friend while he speeds down the  curvy country roads.

the curvy roads

Before we head out, he insists that I’m dressed up in bike riding gear, to me I feel like I’m ready for a bank heist instead of a motorcycle ride.

He  speeds on the autobahn and I try not to look over his shoulder at the speedometer. I accidentally catch a glimpse and I realize it is 150 mph or almost 240 kmph. I close my eyes for a second terrified, because I feel my palms break out into sweat. However, I realize that when I agreed to do this, it was because I trust him. I try to focus on how much I trust him right now instead of focusing on the speed. The high-speed might have lasted a few seconds, but to me it seemed much longer.

We stop at his usual haunt for coffee and cake in Breidscheid, a popular stop for motorcycle riders and also in close proximity to the  famous race track called ‘Nurburgring’, or also called “green-hell”.

The riding continues, while I try to take in as much as I can of this beautiful place that has captured me.

We are back in the village he lives in. After that exciting motorcycle ride, I want to go for a run, time to spend on my own and think about the fact that my trip is soon coming to an end and reality is staring at my face.

While pounding the sidewalk, I try not to think of all the things I will miss, running on open fields and through apple orchards or the quaint houses that line the streets. The church bells that chime every hour, the wonderful food and coffee. I feel the tears beginning to form, so instead I try to think of the stories I have to tell my friends and the memories and the friends I have made in the last 6 months.

The open field I go run

The quaint house I pass

The church where the bell chimes on the hour

After my run I head to the only coffee shop in the village, eating pastry, drinking coffee., trying to remember how exciting and wonderful the last 6 months has been.

Coffee and cake

Despite the language barrier and the miscommunication and sometimes even strange looks, while I run around the village, I’ve felt so comfortable here, something I’ve not felt anywhere else.

Even though I have been to a few countries in the last few months and Sri Lanka, which will always be home, I can say I have fallen in love with this place.

I may never come back here, but I will always be thankful to my friend for showing me Germany through his perspective and outside the beaten path.  I believe I’m gonna leave a part of my heart here in Germany.