First Full Day down

Just like that the first day comes to a close

and oh man!
What a day…

I woke up to Kimbo’s paws walking around in the room so I got up to let him out (he sort of just chills under my bed) then maybe half an hour later I decided to jump up and get moving too.

I was greeted to the beautiful morning of Kaiserslautern, sky was clear, air was crisp and while it was slightly chilly it felt all too good.

Mr. Jason told me on Tuesdays there’s usually a Fruit Market in the City Center so after getting washed up he took me out to the City and dropped me off at the Market.

I spent around 20 or so minute there, walking around. Awkwardly smiling and saying “Hallo, Guten Tag” to random strangers and looking at all the fresh fruits, vegetables, bread and meat!

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Not gonna lie…if it wasn’t for this fasting business and my desire to reset my clock with my eating cycles I’d have probably gotten everything I could get my hands on…it all looked so damn good!

Anyways,
after spending my time at the market place and walking around looking at things and reading the signs I decided I was gonna try and walk around the city. See if I could figure some things….and immediately got lost.

Using my trusty Google maps in my phone I made my way eventually to the Kaiserslautern Haptbahnhof (Central Train Station), which is also where I was picked up. So that was kind of neat.

Oh and on my way to the station I came across this random card and board game shop! Magic the Gathering is alive and well in Germany!

After talking with the Information Center folks and going over a 3 day pass I then made an effort to look around in the area. Marking the path I was going to use to get back to the market place. After spending a good 10 or so minute doing this and walking around the station I then headed off north towards the Large mall in the city known as K in Lautern which was huuuuuuuuuuge. Free WiFi was definitely appreciated for sure and I even ran into a man from New Jersey! He was an older black gentleman who had married a German woman and had been her for the past 7 years.
Funny guy,
When he found out I was here on a trip doing martial arts he immediately started calling me Bruce Lee which made me laugh. Super positive, very funny and just excited to meet people.

We exchanged contact info and I was then on my way towards the market place.

After making my way back to the market place I took a moment to rest and take a photo or two of the giant church that was being renovated at the City Center.

During the wanderings of the day I also came across a little children’s playground and an American Strip Club, or as it said an American Table Dancer’s club. Made me chuckle for sure.

Also, who said Germany doesn’t have Mexican food??
Quatsch!

Eventually I found my way to the Gym Matrix Jiu Jitsu which was closed at the moment but I looked around and also went into the park near by where there was an older adult’s group fitness thing going on. I think it was free to the public and honestly it was super rad watching them get after it. They had music bumping, older folks moving and smiles all around.

Once I finished up at the park I started walking back to Mr. Jason’s place which was a good hour away where I got caught in a heavy HEAVY downpour and at that moment I felt like I was back in Nepal. Everyone would just jump into shade where ever they could find it.

Once I got back I made a bit of lunch, watched a bit of Rick and Morty after which I headed back out towards the gym. I told myself I was going to use the Bus system and figure things out!

I immediately got jipped on the bus, then after getting to the City Center got on the wrong bus and totally got lost in a part of the city I hadn’t been too.
Panicked, got out and then back on the correct bus only to overshoot the ride and walk back to the gym.

hahaha

Ultimately I did make my way back to the gym and I met both Mr. Mark and Mr. Jean a couple studs who were teaching the little Little guys, a few 4 to 6 year old’s.
When the second kid’s class started I jumped in and helped out with teaching which was fun.

Some pretty rad kids which I had a blast working with, even with the bit of a language barrier we got it done!

The Fundamental class following the youth classes was taught by Coach Andreas which was fantastic and let me tell you, these guys out here in this tiny city in Germany are ABSOLUTE SAVAGES. Their leg locks were seriously next level without a doubt not to mention their general grappling is fantastic too! I definitely got mauled like Leo from The Revenant and it felt amazing.

Boy did I miss training.

Once training wrapped up I hung out with Mr. Mark and another grappler named Mr. Merus (who by the way has won to go compete in the L.A. ADCC qualifier!), we grappled, we talked, joked and shared laughs, and even got a little bit of dancing in.

Following that me and Mr. Mark went out and got ourselves a Döner, a Turkish food that’s become very popular out in Berlin and now gaining ground in other parts of Germany as well!
Let me tell you something…Döner…they are also next level. LIKE NEXT NEXT LEVEL.

I seriously need more Döners in my life now.

All the time.

I was so absolutely in love with putting it down that I totally forgot to take a photo of it…maybe next time.

Finishing up with dinner I started walking back home cause 1. I was totally done with the bus that day and 2. I wasn’t going to wait for 45 min to get on the bus especially since the walk itself was like 37 min if everything went smooth.

Which of course

Didn’t.

I ended up taking a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in a totally dark forest park in the hills by myself at 10:40 PM, and then the downpour began.

HAHAHA

To top it off, I got to a point in the walk that had a revolving door that was locked so I couldn’t continue but I Reeeeeally didn’t want to turn around either so I ended up at 10:55 PM in the rain, in a completely dark forest park thing …jumping a fence.

Once I got over I found my way back to the main road and walked the rest of the way back in the rain.

Regardless of the situation I found myself in I couldn’t help though but to smile as I walked jamming out to Green Day’s American Idiot.

One day I’m going to look back at this moment and smile.

My first full day in Germany.

Check!