The quaint and lovely: Bremen & Celle
The next morning we headed to a town named Bremen. We ended up here thanks to our friend Gerrit, a man we met while in Peru and we bacame friends while on the road. He offered Camden and I a place to stay while he was away visiting family during Easter!I recognized the name Bremen and wondered why. My grandpa and grandma had written me a letter before I left on this journey. I pulled out the letter (yes I took it with me) and read that I had family that still lived in Bremen!! I couldn't believe it! I told my grandpa I was in the town and he put me in contact with the Timmermann family.Our first day in Bremen, we were in the college district of the town. We met up with Gerrit and had some coffee, wandered the streets and checked out the local graffiti on hidden alley ways. We went back to our hostel, I wrote my blog on Prague and Camden and I watched Daredevil on my Laptop(our latest obsession). It was a relaxing day to start our time here in Bremen.
We "moved into" our "new place" on our second day. I was still trying to recover from being sick so we took this day again to rest and take advantage of this break of action. It also helped that all the stores were closed for Good Friday. So we weren't going anywhere even if we had planned to. We again, watched Netflix all day long and talked to our families and friends. This is the day I was able to talk to my grandpa where he put my in contact with the family I have in Germany.By the third day in Bremen, we were ready to go out and explore! Lucky for us, we were invited to visit the family bakery (Timmermann Bakery) in a town named, Delmenhorst. We had breakfast with Kerstin, Hendricks and Heinz. It was such an amazing time to get to know some distant relatives while learning some background and family history. The black bread is TO DIE FOR!! I wanted to take it all home with me, but I guess that's for the next trip when I have all the extra room in the world for bread in my bags. Hahah.
The Timmermann bakery!
Over 100 years of baking!
After some time at the bakery, we were taken to the city center of Bremen! What an amazing place!!!
It was by far, our most favorite city in Germany. We loved the unknown history that ran throughout the city and all its little wonders it had to offer.We walked along the Schnöör, which is a series of ridiculously tiny pathways between shops and houses.
We learned some local stories and folklore about Bremen, like the tale of the four musicians. ( Ask me about it and I'll tell you the story!)
And we indulged in sweets, such as Black Forest cake and homemade Bon bons.
Black Forest cake (left) Bon Bon candy shop and factory in Bremen (right)
This day, was amazing. Not only because we had so much fun exploring. But I was able to connect with some relatives I would have never come into contact with. They are some of the most loving and welcoming people I have met. And I am so thankful to have been given to opportunity to have met them!
Kerstin, Hendricks, Tommy and I
The family fun did not stop there!The next day, Easter Sunday, we were invited to a small town named Celle, where Leni and Adolf resided with their daughter Katrin. It took some time to get the Celle but once we arrived, it was like we had all known each other for ages! Everyone was so welcoming and kind. Leni had already prepared a meal for us so we ate and got to know each other immediately. After we talked for a bit and digested, we went on a tour of Celle.
The city itself was so quaint. It was nice to be somewhere that was relaxed and quiet for a change. Yes it was Easter Sunday, so we had that advantage. The city itself was not too big, so we were able to get a good sense of what life would be like living in Celle.
We were shown castles, churches, old bunkers and much more! Adolf, Bernd, Katrin and Leni were all great guides and answered all our questions about their lovely city!After a long day of travel and walking we came back to Leni and Adolf's house, where we had our proper German dinner: bread, cheese, meats and pickles. I loooooved it! So did Camden! We were amazed to find out that most Germans eat cold and small dinners to help with digestion before bedtime. Great tip, that we will definitely be taking home with us!
Leni, Adolf, Camden and Me
Adolf shared many stories of his past, family histories and what life has been like living in Germany since he was a boy. To get that type of raw insight is incredible rare and coveted. I was thrilled to be hearing all these stories and memories! We finally had to pull ourselves away when we realized our train ticket would soon expire! We made our way quickly to the train station where we would take back to Bremen.Our last day, went a little like our first day. We walked around a bit. All the stores closed for Easter Monday. And then we retreated back to Netflix until our friend Gerrit came home! He made us an amazing German dinner (which Camden swears he will recreate one day). We packed out belonging and caught up with our friend.
Gerritt's amazing dinner!
Although the we did not want to say goodbye to Germany, I believe we spent out last few days well. We were able to connect with long lost relatives and catch up with a old/new/travel friend. It's times and experiences like these that make the traveling a bit easier to bear. It can be hard. I haven't been feeling homesick since I've left; but every now and then I'll feel it good. They say it takes three months to hit hard. I know I'm approaching soon.But, Amsterdam was in the horizon. A new place. New culture and new experience. We were ready as ever to begin our next "leg" of our Europe trip.
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