Hannah Claudia : Postcards from: Bavaria (Munich, Oberammergau, Regensburg)

There's too many good things to say about Germany. You'll find high-speed, efficient technology everywhere you look, wind turbines that line the autobahns, people who are kind and meticulously organized, and plenty of excuses for kuchen und kaffee. The dark times underlying Germany's history aren't forgotten, either. In fact, reminders are ubiquitous - inscribed on cobblestones, raised in conversations with the gravity of regret and a grassroots determination for change.

Bavaria marked my third time stepping foot on German soil, but this was my first visit to the south. Here, the pace of life felt more relaxed. German pride manifested in bold oompah music, artisan goods at the market, lederhosen, really good ice cream, and bier, of course. Of all the "German things" we previously tried, there was, and still is, more to discover.

Never before had we seen the grandeur of the alps with wildflowers scattered at their feet, a sight that even locals stopped to behold. In Oberammergau, we discovered the rich history of the Passion Play, a decennial production of the crucifixion. In Ettal's Linderhof Palace, jaws dropped as we absorbed Mad King Ludwig's chaotic interior design. June was evidently marathon season in Central Europe, so we cheered the runners on as they headed towards the finish line in Regensburg. Munich, with its blue skies, cyclists, cultural diversity, and gothic architecture, was our home base.

Whenever I travel, I always find myself soaking in beyond what I could have expected. There's so much to learn about the world, another country, and myself. In Bavaria, as I anticipated a big move to come, I recognized pieces of what makes "home" feel like "home." It wasn't simply that Germany was familiar. It was the uncanny resemblance to Central Jersey's intense greenery, the variety of skin colors among the mix of Anglo-Saxons, Middle Eastern migrants, and tourists on the streets, and a close-knit sense of camaraderie between community members through races and music that made me feel like I belonged.

I think one of the beautiful things about traveling is that no matter where you go, if you look hard enough, you'll discover somewhere, someone, or something that makes you feel comfortable. These are the little reminders that we're not all that different, that beneath the novelty of travel and the diversity of architecture, customs, food, language, lifestyles, and status, we can do this thing called "life" together and make the ride a whole lot sweeter.