The weather was nice today. It’s been cloudy and slightly cold most days with occasional sun breaks through much of Germany. Today was a perfect sun and scattered cloud day.
I stayed in a hostel last night. It turns out most of the people staying there were Ukrainian refugees. I left around 9 AM and loaded up on food at the nearby Edeka. Something like bananas, oatmeal cookies, bread, pudding, tomatoes, sausage, and tuna. I ate much of it.
The ride was a fairly easy one in comparison to previous days and had some of the longest, sustained cycle ways of any day.
There was one beautiful moment where I was cruising along the path and everything was perfect.
Oddly, I saw a lot of boat traffic along a river that likely wouldn’t be navigated by power boats in the US. I also saw a lot of animals grazing right at the waters edge in a protected park area which surprised me. All of the nature is very intentionally designated as nature.
Towards the end of the day I had a small climb. I talked to Ashley on the telephone just before it and as soon as I started again I bonked. I waited thirty or so minutes while eating a package of oatmeal cookies and half a liter of pineapple juice.
I eventually made it to Steinheim. I’d booked a hotel for €48 (with breakfast)! However, everything was in German and they didn’t have a reception. After some failed calls I distracted myself in a conversation with an older Portuguese man who told me of his immigration to Germany fifty-two years ago to follow a woman who became his wife. He then told me not to sleep on the streets because of crime and alluded that the Georgians would kidnap me. Can’t have a good conversation without some xenophobia.
I eventually got through to the contact number and they only spoke German. I repeated words I learned from German signs, or at least I think I understood them. Eventually I got the information I needed and checked in.
It’s the nicest place I’ve stayed in a week. I’m relaxing on the bed and will soon shower and stuff my face with döner from down the street before sleeping. The plan for tomorrow is something near Hanover.