Germany in a nutshell

Hello!

Greetings from Prague. Time flies as they say, my ass is getting tighter and my calfs are getting bigger. Mind, its starting to settle down, slowly. Its been two weeks now and i heard from a cyclist friend that it takes months for the mind to calm down, to let go and feel free. Now i have around 630km behind me and like last year, the km dont really matter, i dont cycle to win km, i cycle to feel free and to meet new people.

So, ill start from Travemunde. I arrived in Germany around 10pm and had two options to sleep, tent in a bush or tent in a camping site. I chose the latter since it was dark allready, weather was rainy and freezing cold and i wanted to start off easy. In the morning i woke up to a misty wet weather, but it was ok because I was finally on my way to Italy. On my first day i cycled to Schwerin, i saw from the map that there is a lot of lakes which meant there was probably some nice coastline to pich a tent. In the end it wasnt that easy, it seems that the lakes in Germany are quite populated, there are either cottages, campsites or beaches. While i was looking for the perfect place (I looked like i was looking for something), i met a older gentleman who didint speak English and i didint speak Germany but i knew a word "zelt" and showed him "sleeping", he right away understood and pointed the perfect hidden beach spot for me on the map. I felt lucky and would like to Thank him again.

This night was so cold and windy i thought i was going to die but i didint and when i woke up in the morning, there was clear sky and the lake was calm so i got naked and went to wash my self-- amazing feeling. Then i had coffee and breakfast with ducks before heading to Stuer which was around 85km, this was a rough day both mentally and physically because i felt like i was getting isolated from people i had started the cleaning process with my mind, i have a strong ego and it really tries to push me down, but a friend of mine in Finland told me that "Laura, everytime your ego tries to make you scared, pinch yourself", so Riina, i have pinched myself a lot in Germany :D

Last year i cycled more on the west side of Germany and now that i have seen east also, i can say that there is a difference. West is more rural or bare, rougher. I think you can really see the influence of Soviet union and past wars, it reminded me off this movie called Inglorious Bastards where they had these hidden pubs in the countryside and small villages. Anyways, in the end of the day after looking for a perfect tent place i ended up at a campingsite in the middle of the forest and it really came out of nowhere like an Oasis in the desert. I probably looked like i lived in the forest when i draged myself in the reception:D I was really lucky again because it cost only 10 euros and for this i was able to get a huge hut where they had a camping bed <3

Next day i ended up in a small town called Rägelin, weather was perfect for cycling. Had some problems with the navigation because it toulk me to really small grawl roads or sand roads like this, id still be here if Thomas from Poland hadnt picked me up in hes truck (Thank you), we had a language barrier but he was from Poland and working in agriculture but it hasnt been good summer for him yet, not enough work. I hope it will get better for him :)

For lunch, really good!

When i got to Rägelin, i though right, there must be some small bush where i can set my tent (it was late again, around 8pm). I saw two men talking in the street and asked if they know a good place for a tent "yes, you can put it in our garden" and so i got to know Holger and hes son Robin. I also didint sleep in a tent but inside in my own room with shower, Thank you <3

Holger was on his way to a pub but we had a really interesting talk with Robin, hes really young but smart i think. We talked about the history of Germany and how children are taught in the schools about what happened in the past, Robin thinks its because Germans want to make sure that history doesnt repeat itself. We talked about being a german and nationality, i asked of he considers to be a citizen of the world but the answer was no because then he would need to face all the problems in this planet and carry the weight of our mistakes, i think this was well said. Its easier to be a nationalist or consider yourself as part of one country rather then the pic picture, seeing yourself as a citizen of the world because then you need to take responsibility of your own action. This was around 70km. 

Next day was Berlin 100k,  something I had really waited since i have never been there and it was amazing with a great host called Anneke who is also a cyclist and really in good shape because she has cycled from Berlin to Copenhagen in 24h, crazy chica :D Berlin is a city where i can see myself living in, the atmosphere is open, friendly and really relaxed not to mention historical and multicultural. 

On my way

Cycling shoes are great for power but it has a price

Wecome1

Abandoned Tempelhof airport

Bikeygeed organisation in Berlin

I heard about this organisation trough Anneke, Bikeygees is a grasroot organisation that teaches refugee women to cycle and i was lucky because they have an event every third sunday, so there i was teaching women to cycle a bicycle. We worked in pairs, one voluntary on both side to help the women find some balance, it was amazing feeling and at the same time i didint know what to think. I was helping women who were over 40 years old, imagine that you never cycled before and you start to learn as an adult! Each day i feel more and more privilged and gratefull that i was born in Finland. I dont have pictures from the event because its a security risk for the women since many of them are muslim but stopped wearing a hijab. Three nights passed and i had to say bye for now to Berlin. Next host was at Dresden and it toulk three days to get there.

Petkus first aid center

Mirko and Rainer

On my way to Dresden i spend one night at a really small town of Petkus and was able to pich my tent at the first aid center, actually i was treated royally (full use of shower, toilet and kitchen). Thanks guyes! The morning i woke up to cycle in dresden, it was a rude awaking because i found my tent full of ants!! It was 6am and i just wanted to switch side, but instead i ran out of my tent and cleared everything :D After that i started making breakfast and it wasnt too bad to wake up so early because it was super hot day and i was running out of battery so i had to stop twice to charge my telephone and extra battery on the way to Dresden. 

Why dont we have more wind energy in Finland?

Refreshing

 When i arrived to Dresden, it was raining like crazy but i didint care because i knew there was a warm bed waiting for me. Dresden has a really active Warmshower community so i got a lot of positive replies but i chose Marco because i read that he had cycled to New Zeeland and figured there was a good story. Im happy i chose Marco, we get along really well and its no wonder, two dreamers who like to cycle the world and learn about other people trough cultures..and drink beer.

Thats really golden

Midsummer dinner

I think thats enough for now, I want to have a nap and see some Prague. All in all, Germany was a good start and teached me patience and reminded me about the amazing side of cycling; its the journey, not the destination. Next writing probably comes from Slovakia where they have Euros! :D

Oh and hey Remember that this is for good cause, if you havent donated yet. Please DO IT NOW!

www.mesenaatti.me/riding4hope!

Theres a package from 10-500 euros, something for everyone.

Thank you.