A Life in Waiting

So I arrive in Munich on the 28^th of January and head back into the city center.  It’s amazing how familiar I feel in this city already.  I stop off in Marienplatz , get my German SIM card for my cellphone working again (I forgot the unlocking code) and make the necessary phone calls to let everyone know I arrived safely.  I hop on the tram and head off to Klaus’s apartment (I actually remember how to get there).  He cooks me another unexpected dinner and we catch up on what we’ve been doing over the past months since we saw each other last.

Tuesday I get up early and navigate my way through the Munich underground to reach the BMW dealership where my bike has been waiting patiently for me over the past two months.  One thing I notice while on my way to get the bike is how important living in Helsinki was for me.  It really got me comfortable in being overseas and dealing with people when English is not their foreign tongue.  I can travel most types of public transportation with ease and driving on the European streets feels like being home.  Such a difference from when I was last here in Munich.  I actually saw the city this time.  It almost felt like a filter has been lifted and I can see the real city now.  Hard to explain, but I felt strangely more confident.

I arrive at the dealership and pick up my bike that I had called ahead to get it ready.  I pull out of the complex and attempt to find my way back to Klaus’s flat.  Well what should have been a simple 5 mile journey, I arrive 20 miles later.  Good start, I thinks.

Now even though my storage fees at the dealership included a bike checkup, I take the next few hours to go over my bike and make sure all is ok.  Plus I take the time to organize all tools and bike related things on the bike.  That evening Klaus and I head into a trendy part of the city to meet a friend of his for some cheap food and a Weis beer.  I spent the night afterwards planning my route to Cologne and writing up directions to follow.  After a hearty breakfast and a thank you to Klaus, I head out to load up the bike and head out.  As usual I get a later start than desired, and well… You’ll hear all about that I’m sure.

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