13 June - Germany Trip Part 4 (Day 146)

We had to part when we reached Munich train station as XP still has a meeting later. For me, I checked in to the youth hostel she recommended. At the breakfast table, I met a friendly Japanese guy. He said there are nice places in Germany besides Berlin and Munich which are worth visiting. These cities, or rather towns are not famous, but had very beautiful scenery.

While queuing up to buy the train ticket at the station, an old lady behind me suddenly poked me with her umbrella. She asked if I speak German and I said no. Then she said, “Oh, I can speak English!” As if she suddenly remembered that she knows the language. She asked me how to get to Fussen town, and I told her all I knew, since I was going there as well. Indeed, almost everyone can speak English here.

It was rather troublesome to get to the Neuschwanstein Castle, as much trouble as pronouncing it (New-Swan-Stein). First, I had to get to Fussen town. Then take bus no. 76 or 78. Then take a horse carriage or bus up the mountain.

In the train, there were a tour group and as a cheapo, I eavesdropped on the tour guide’s introduction of the castle to group. This castle was built sometime in the early 19th century by a king who turned mad. He wanted to castle to be built in the mountain, completely isolating himself from others. It was one of the grandest castles ever built and Walt Disney used it as a model when they built the Sleeping Beauty Castle for Disneyland.

When I reached there, I could see the magnificent castle standing aloofly on the mountain. That was when I realised I used to have a 1000 pcs jigsaw puzzle of it. 10 years ago I guess. Wonder where that puzzle is right now. The place was packed with tourists and we had to enter in batches. Each batch will be lead by a guide. In the past, swans were associated with the royalties, and hence there were many swan portraits in the castle. It also explains the name of the castle.

After touring the inside of the castle, I went walking around the surroundings and came to this Mary Bridge, which was hanging precariously between 2 mountain passes. From there, I had a great full view of the castle. I also tried one of the stalls selling German doughnut. At first I thought the white color seed on top were sesame seeds. But they turned out to be salt! Damn salty.
My return train was at 405pm. Definitely would not return on time to meet XP at 6pm. As such, I tried calling her but there was a German voice at the other end. I didn’t understand what he was saying and asked someone nearby if he could translate for me. He said he doesn’t speak English. I asked if he speaks German. He said no. I tried French, he said no again. Kao! What you then, damn it! I was sure that I would miss XP at the train station.

I reached the train station at 630pm and since I couldn’t find her there, I decided to make my way to her apartment. With what little navigation skills I have, I found her place at 7pm. No one answered the door. Her flatmate was not around too. I decided to return to the train station to wait for her and that’s when I bumped into her returning from work. She had left my number in the house and so had come back to get it. What luck.
She was really tired after work and hence I didn’t stay long at her place. Had wanted to ask her out for dinner but I could see she was really exhausted. So I just aimlessly walked around the city centre, but it was no fun at all. Touring a place alone is always very lonely. There was a street performance playing violin, clarinet, cello, and it was a very sad tune. Adding more sadness in my depressing mood.

On the way back to hostel, met a lady who stopped me. Asked me where I from. Feeling lonely, I decided to talk to her. She asked if I am a Buddhist and I said yes. Then she gave me a booklet titled “In search of a Father” and said it is about Buddhism. Haha. Auntie, you sure? Anyway, she told me read it and after that write to one of their headquarters for comments. Nearest one is in KL. She said hopefully in the end, when all the wicked people are dead, she would see me again. I am pretty sure this is not about Buddhism but still I felt happy talking to her and decided to read it later in the hostel since it was still early.

Back in the hostel, I talked to this American from Arizona and we shared some of our traveling experiences so far. Pretty cool guy. He learnt that I would be in Amsterdam in June and he said he might be there too. Hence we exchanged email and hoped to remain in touch. We did briefly, after I came back to Singapore. These Americans are true backpackers. They would work part time during summer vacation and then used up all their savings to go on a trip. Once they ran out of money, they would return home. I also found out from him that it is quite convenient to take a ferry from the southern tip of Spain to Morocco. After chatting with him for 2hrs, I felt much better and less lonely.