A curious mixture of old and new buildings and shops clamors for space on a winding street front; ridiculously small paths behind and between buildings provide alternate routes for the more adventurous (or more lost, in our case); wider streets lead to a river filled with boats, some tethered, some carrying cargo, and some crowded with people who wave as they pass; and a town square lies in the center of all, accentuated by an old cathedral in front of which a band is playing lively music, tying everything together and creating a need to dance. Welcome to Bremen.
The day is July 26 and we have just arrived in the city after a very early morning and a long train ride through the countryside, which most of us used to catch up on sleep. We are greeted by a small town which has no particular sense of urgency about it and which seems to be very connected, with multiple footpaths as well as a central courtyard.
The day is a very relaxing one, during which we explore the town, take an exiting boat tour up the river, and connect with both each other and a few local people. The best part of the day is when a small group of us wanders into a cozy little music shop and are able to strike up a conversation with the store owner. Francesca speaks a bit of English and that combined with our growing knowledge of the German language allows us to have an in-depth conversation about our lives, our families, and some of the differences between our respective home countries. We leave some time later feeling elated with our ability to communicate and with the connection we have made.
Our time in Bremen ends altogether too soon, although it is wrapped up neatly when Professor Nielsen buys us all ice cream, a welcome treat after the day of walking in the sun. Again, many of us sleep on the long train ride back, and we all fall eagerly into our beds upon arrival back at St. Michael’s, our home away from home.