Day 1

December 6, 2013

14:56 Frankfurt, Germany.

5:57 Edmonton, Alberta.

Gosh. Overwhelming just a little bit. I think I left my credit card on the plane… Why can’t I keep a good grasp on things. I have to start slowing down. I’m sitting in a quaint little café in Frankfurt just by my couchsurfing host’s house. No clue when he gets off work but this no communication thing sucks. I feel so lost and have to keep reminding myself to pretend it’s Canada. It’s so tough when no one speaks your language and they expect you to speak it. I’m glad I know well how to say “mein Deutsch ist nicht gut.” It helps and then they speak English. But I’m probably gonna start forcing myself to attempt to speak the language more. I’m glad I learned the bit I know because it sure has helped me get around so far and figure some things out. Even having my phone in german helped me in this real life situation too. Gonna explore Frankfurt tomorrow more. Just wander, film and see the sights. I feel so alone. Oh and my snowboard and I; we have this love/ hate relationship right now. He’s so heavy to lug around and so hard to maneuver in Frankfurt’s busy places. He’s awkward on the trains. But I can’t help but love him because I love snowboarding. So I hate him but I love him because I need him. Him, her; whichever you want to use. I know my snowboard is pink and purple. Ha ha! But yea. Hopefully I can get over this slight culture shock a bit and just adjust and adapt quick. Frankfurt is pretty gloomy today with some periods of snow and rain. It’s chilly at +5 to -2. There is also tons of Graffiti everywhere. It gives the place character. I don’t feel threatened at all by this place. Oh and It really feels great to be away from Alberta. There seriously is no such thing as a truck here. I haven’t seen one yet. There is more vans and cars the size of smart cars here than anything else. Oh and BMWs galore too. No clue how they can afford them. I wonder what most people’s main source of income comes from, Which Industry thrives here? I want to know how people live their lives. What their schedules are mainly like. I want to find out the local feel and how people like Frankfurt and Germany in general. What their thoughts are on their own country. So many new things about this place and I really know nothing about it. In two days I head to Chamonix, France to finally snowboard again. French definitely isn’t my forte and neither is Italian. I can make out German here and there. So Luckily I’m spending most of my time in German speaking countries. This is my first real experience travelling the unknown. Pretty intense and I’m by myself all vulnerable. Gotta stay on the ball. I haven’t even considered or even thought of even wanting to drink in Europe. I thought I would before but now… I just don’t want to get myself into trouble. Oh the Central station in Frankfurt was awesome! It was huge. It’s crazy to see the trains are so popular here. The ceiling was domed and had iron work all over the place. It was very…40s or 50s. kinda had an old post war look to it. The signage was done really well too. Didn’t get too lost ha ha! Just had to take my time. But I did stick out like a sore thumb and still do where ever I go. My snowboard jacket isn’t the fashion for this place and my snowboard is just so out of place. People look at me with that “what the hell is that” look on their face lol. So I’m sticking to the public places for now until my host gets off work. I really can’t complain about being surrounded by Germans when I really enjoy the sound of the language. It’s pretty sweet seeing people speak with ease like I would If I were back in Canada with English. The game has changed and I’m the odd one out now. This really is stepping out of my comfort zone for sure. Just gotta keep pushing and mentally tricking myself saying I’m still in Canada. Just pretend. Oh I also haven’t slept yet. I’m gonna definitely crash early tonight.

Well gonna save the battery on my computer for later. Over and out.