Day 03: All kinds of hiking today

Day 03: From Herrsching to Wessobrun

Date	Dec 5th, 2022
Route map	Route trace
Today's distance:	16 miles
Total This Camino:	50 miles
Total 2022 Caminos:	374 miles
Total All Caminos:	1670 miles
Lodging:	Uschi's Herberge @ $20
Total Lodging:	$ 210
Planes:	$810 Rochester -> Munich -> Rochester + $75 checked bag
Total Planes:	$ 885
Buses / Trains / Taxis:
Total Buses / Trains / Taxis:	$ 15
Food:	$ 32 Bfast @ Pegasus / Dinner @ Gasthof zur Post
Total Food:	$ 95

Meaningful Moment

Stopping in at Uschi's albergue. 

Yes, this is an albergue. When I walked up to the front of the house, there was a Camino scallop shell on the gate. Right away, I felt good .

While getting settled in, Uschi and I talked for quite a while, mostly in German. That made me feel good that I had developed that ability. Of course I realize, I'm not conversational but it's good to be self-sufficient. 

And I am enthralled that I am in an albergue, not a hostel or a hotel.

Now if only it wasn't raining outside.

Random Thought of the Day

Starting out this morning around 9:00 a.m. Thought I'd take a little bit of a later start. The weather for the day is kind of hellish. So I'll just have to grin and bear it.

Started out the day in Bavaria version of the Finger Lakes. Ended the day in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps.

For whatever reason that I finally had my first German meal only on day four here in Germany, I had a fantastic dinner which should keep me powered up for tomorrow. No junk food tonight.

Before leaving Rochester, I headed down to REI, knowing that it was winter, and that I might be walking in the dark. Came in very handy tonight, as the albergue that I'm staying at, is essentially on a country road with no lighting. The reflective tapes made it real easy for the drivers to see me lol.

I am having some lower body issues that I need to keep an eye on. 

Right foot has some consistent low-grade pain on the outside of the step.

Left shin fascia have a low grade ache. 

Upper quads are feeling tight and kind of aching.

By the end of the day, it had not rained or snowed contrary to the weather reports. However after I was resting in bed, it did start to rain. At that point I didn't care. It was only for a little while anyway.

On the Road / Notable memories

All day long the weather forecast was rain and snow, but thankfully it held off until I made it to the Pilgrim hostel. 

After yesterday's tough hike, I started today with about a 5 mi hike along the Ammer Lake beachfront. It was serene.

Then I had to take highways for about 5 mi. Half the time I had a sidewalk, the other half of the time I had about 6 in of paved gravel next to the asphalt lane. This was not a serene experience lol. 

The last third of the hike was beautiful. It was a alternating mix of forest and farmland in the rolling hills of Bavaria. I came across two very pretty chapels in the various forests.

While walking through the farmland, I came across cows and sheep, apparently blissfully enjoying the pasture.

Today there was almost nobody on the last 3rd of the hike. Every once in awhile I might come across a runner or someone out with their dog, but it was the longest in which it was just me and nature.

It provided a real nice stretch in which to remember what it is I like about hiking.

	Lake Ammer on the way out of Herrsching.
	I'm unsure of what mountains these are, but as I was walking south along Lake Ammee, the clouds and fogs broke enough for me to see them in the distance.
	Out of the more urbanized kinds of parks and finally in a rustic forest setting.
	Stopped for a protein bar and some much needed rest.
	Grilled pork loin with three different sauces and homemade spaetzle
	A quiet place for a rest stop
	Grilled pork loin with three sauces and homemade spaetzel
	Uschi's albergue

Day 02: From Schäftlarn to Herrsching

Day 02: Trying to beat the Weather

Date	Dec 4th, 2022
Route map	Route trace
Today's distance:	19 miles
Total This Camino:	34 miles
Total 2022 Caminos:	374 miles
Total All Caminos:	1654 miles
Lodging:	Hotel Pegasus @ $80
Total Lodging:	$ 190
Planes:	$810 Rochester -> Munich -> Rochester + $75 checked bag
Total Planes:	$ 885
Buses / Trains / Taxis:
Total Buses / Trains / Taxis:	$ 15
Food:	$ 8
Total Food:	$ 63

Meaningful Moment

Making it to the hotel. As I was talking with the lady who was checking me in, I don't think I could string two thoughts together.

After I rested for a little bit I went downstairs to the cafe. She had German potato soup available with white sausage. She gave me a complimentary glass of a heated red wine. I'm not used to drinking my wine heated. That hit the spot, I can assure you.

Random Thought of the Day

The weather report all day long was forecasting rain in the afternoon, so I tried to keep moving. It never did rain, thank God. Tomorrow's weather forecast is worse.

On the Road / Notable memories

First of all the day was supposed to be about 15 miles and somehow turned out to be 19 mi. I was running on vapor by the time I made it to the hotel.

Needed a long down time to start to recover.

Nothing but fog the entire day. I'm sure I passed a lot of beautiful scenes but not once could I see 200 yards beyond me.

	The entire day was fog. I'm sure I passed a lot of beautiful scenery, but I didn't see it.
	Leaving Schäftlarn.
	Do not feed the horses!
	Forest of Bavaria
	Harkirchen Hamlet
	Why do the direction signs point in two directions?
	Starnberger Lake, fog covered
	Maisinger Creek
	Typical Bavarian church or chapel
	Hotel Pegasus

Day 01: From Munich to Schäftlarn

Date	Dec 3rd, 2022
Route map	Route trace
Today's distance:	15 miles
Total this Camino:	15 miles
Total 2022 Caminos:	355 miles
Total All Caminos:	1635 miles
Lodging:	Hotel Schlee @ $80
Total Lodging:	$ 110
Planes:	$810 Rochester -> Munich -> Rochester + $75 checked bag
Total Planes:	$ 885
Buses / Trains / Taxis:	$ 3 S-bahn to Isator
Total Buses / Trains / Taxis:	$ 15
Food:	$ 30
Total Food:	$ 55

Meaningful Moment

I had an event of great personal satisfaction this morning. 

I was in the Munich subway station, waiting to buy a ticket. In front of me two young men who were speaking Arabic and we're having trouble figuring out the ticket vending machine. 

They asked me for help. I was able to help them get the ticket because of my experiences yesterday with the subway system. 

I felt good being able to help somebody who needed a stranger to step up.

Random Thought of the Day

One of the little joys on this Camino is my ability to use German. It's a little example, but I ordered my coffee and paid the bill without having to resort to English or having the waiter write out the amount.

Have decided that if I want to rest day, or I want to modify the route I take, or even skip stages, that I will be perfectly comfortable with that decision. In the past I've been a little more rigid about following the Camino path.

On the Road / Notable memories

First 7 miles hour under foot. Stopped for my first trail coffee in Germany. I miss these mornings of long hikes with a coffee rest stop.

 Six more miles to go to the hotel. 

A few weeks ago I started wearing compression socks as part of my daily life. 

Completely different feeling while hiking. Feels like, expectedly, constant pressure on the toes. I'm hoping that at the end of the day, My feet feel less tired achy than on past hikes.

This is what other people have told me they have experienced.

I would say today was rather unremarkable. Certainly beautiful sights. 

The sky has been cloudy all day, just like in Rochester. I'm hoping that changes.

But the weather today was perfect for hiking. Temperature was in the mid-30s, which I prepared for in terms of clothing. Although it was cloudy, there was no rain nor snow.

The terrain was mostly flat with some rolling hills towards the end.

The hotel I'm in has not the best Wi-Fi. It does not reach the room, so I'm sitting in the restaurant, taking up a table because it's where I have to sit to get the signal. So anyway I'm having another coffee. :-)

Amusing story. My German instructors told me that the people here can be direct. 

After dinner, when my server brought the bill, he asked me directly if I wanted to add anything, meaning a tip. So I said sure. 

Then later I went back to the table because I forgot my room key. 

He calls me over and jokingly says, " In Italy we say strong legs, weak head. " 

I'm guessing because I walked away and then came back. 

So I said to him in German, " Today I walked from Munich to here. Tomorrow I walk from here to Hersching. I have strong legs. " 

I smiled and he laughed.

	Starting my Camino in Isator, Munich
	The first half today followed the river Isar.
	It was a pretty urbanized setting for quite some miles.
	First I thought it was a castle, but then I found out it was a church.
	Halfway done in time for coffee break.
	Small chapel that I came across.
	Towards the end of the days and still following the Isar River.
	As far as I can tell, my hotel is the only one in Schäftlarn and it has the only restaurant.

Day 00: Rochester NY to Munich Germany

Day 00: From Rochester NY to Munich Germany

Date	Dec 1st - 2nd, 2022
Total 2022 Caminos:	340 miles
Total All Caminos:	1620 miles
Lodging:	Wombat Hostel Hauptbahnhof @ $ 40
Total Lodging:	$ 40
Planes:	$810 Rochester -> Munich -> Rochester + $75 checked bag
Total Planes:	$ 885
Buses / Trains / Taxis:	$ 12 S8 arpt to main train sta
Total Buses / Trains / Taxis:	$ 12
Food:	$ 25
Total Food:	$ 25

Meaningful Moment

On the S-8 Strassebahn train, I struck up a conversation with a German couple. They helped answer a couple of questions about my train ticket. It was a great introduction to arriving in Germany. They recommended one or two places for me to get something to eat: white sausage aka ”Weisse Wurst".

My confidence continues to grow .

Took a long walk looking for the start of the Munich Camino. Found it. Had to ask several people for help. Of course in German. 

Then walked to Thierschstraße, seems to be a typical neighborhood in this part of Munich which by the way is heavily urbanized.

Then I took another trip on the subway, with the usual problems of trying to understand the transportation system. But again I just kept asking people for help, in German of course again lol, and was able to get my way back to my hostel. Now it's time to get a shower and get some rest.

It's been a long day

Random Thought of the Day

10:00 am. What can I say! I'm in Munich Germany.

***

3:00pm. Finally getting to lay down in a bed and close my eyes for a little bit.

8:00 pm. My rest day is about over. Tomorrow I will start the Munich Camino. First day is about 12 mi. Most of the day involves walking alongside the Isar River. Made a reservation at a hotel. 

On the Road / Notable memories

Leave home: 10:00 am

Arrive airport: 10:15 am

Thru security: 10:35 am

Leave Rochester: 12:00 pm. 

Arrive Charlotte NC:1:40 pm. Seamless flight. Departure gate to Munich not 100 ft away from arrival gate. Excellent. No terminal transfers.

Leave Charlotte NC: 4:45 pm

Arrive Munich Germany: 7: 20 am 12/02/22

Clear customs and immigration: 8:00 am

S-8 Strassebahn Munich main train station: 8:30 am

Hostel: 09:30 am

Can't check in until 2:00 p.m. but I can leave my backpack in a storage room. Had a chance to wash my face and brush my teeth.

****

At Rochester airport: Man, I love my TSA PreCheck. Pretty long line when I walked up to security, but I pretty much went to the head of the line, through like a breeze including scanner and everything.

At Charlotte airport. 

Made my reservation at the Munich Hauptbahnhopf Jugendherberge. I've got a bunk bed in a six-person room with a private bathroom. It's about 5 minutes from the train station, which is good. I should be in downtown Munich by 10:00 a.m., but check-in is no sooner than 2:00 p.m. According to the online reading, I can leave my bag at the hostel before check-in, that means it's about 5 or 6 hours that I won't have to carry it around waiting for the desk to open.

	Leaving Rochester.
	Just forwarded the plane in Charlotte, and the instruction card has German for me to practice with. Basically, if you're in the emergency seat and can't handle it, tell a flight attendant. Lol
	First impressions of Munich. What I saw as I exited the subway station.
	Text
	Walking around outside of the altstadt which is the old part of the city. So this was a typical apartment house from what I could tell in the newer sections.
	My first meal in Germany have happened because I got lost, but came across a tapas bar.
	Karlsplatz. Coming back from a stroll for something too eat.

Questions for Reflection

Date	Nov 30, 2022
Total 2022 Caminos:	340 miles
Total All Caminos:	1620 miles
Planes:	$810 Munich -> Rochester -> Munich
Total Planes:	$ 810

Meaningful Moment

I was watching Season 2 of Babylon5 (The Fall of Night). The dominant theme of the episode, not including the coming Shadow wars, were the questions:

Who are you?

What do you want?

Perhaps these are good topics on which to reflect while I meander along the southwest of Bavaria.

***

A couple and a coffee. 11/24/22. I'm sitting in downtown Summit NJ at Boxwood Coffee. I look out the window and see a young woman with two good-looking dogs out front. A young man walks out of Boxwood with two coffees. He gives her one. She smiles and the four of them walk down the street. 

"How can one's heart not melt at such a simple sight of affection?" ... I feel contentment at this moment. 

Random Thought of the Day

"Who are you?"

Tuesday (11/22/22): Realizing that I need external activities in my life. Just three days out of a full college load, and I am getting bored stupid. At least, I have a dog to walk.

Thursday (11/24/22): Seeking to be at peace with the decisions that I've made. Not as dramatic as it sounds because I am relatively satisfied with my life. But I suppose it is human to always wonder - as I sit in Boxwood Coffee in Summit NJ on Thanksgiving Day, spending the holiday with my partner's family.

"What do you want?"

Tuesday (11/22/22): To matter, which I do - to my partner, to my son, d-in-law and grandkids, siblings, mother and acquaintances. 

Thursday (11/24/22): To matter (still). This morning I took Gimli - 85 lbs of Chocolate Lab joy - out for a morning walk. What is it about a dog that makes one feel better?

Bavaria Report

Of the next eight days, six are projected to be rainy. Two are projected to partly cloudy. I think that I need to verify all my rain gear.

Established a personal connection to Munich. I didn't realize that some I know lived in Munich. She gave me the address and I will look it up and get a picture. Turns out to be on the way out of Munich at the start of the Muenchner Jakobsweg.

Day Minus 1

The weather here in Rochester is just grey and more grey with rain. It pulled down my mood.

I made it to a morning gentle Yoga session at the YMCA, and then headed back to the Y in the afternoon for a weight session.

I had to get out of the house. I took Gimli (85-lb Chocolate Lab) with me so we could walk in the park also.

I am unsurprisingly blase about this upcoming trip -- tomorrow. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's a more general sense of needing something - something outside myself.

***

Deb and I spent a quiet night binge-watching three episodes from Season 3 of Babylon 5. Really helped take the edge off my pre-flight anxieties. ;#)

What do I Want?

Having been retired just over three and one-half years now, I may have finally hit that part of being retired that realizes that I need a reason to get up in the morning. 

When I wake up, it doesn't normally matter whether I stay in bed or start moving. 

In the Navy, we had the term "ROAD" which meant "Retired on Active Duty". That is basically just putting in the days / weeks / months / years to get to 20 years active service and a guaranteed 50% pension. You don't try very hard, but do make sure to do enough to stay out of trouble.

I feel like I'm in ROAD status, in the sense that I am just moving through the days ... without a mission to fulfill.

I shall, in Germany, reflect on what I want to do with the public part of my life, the part that needs to be socially meaningful.

Free to Get Ready

Date	Nov 20, 2022
Total 2022 Caminos:	340 miles
Total All Caminos:	1620 miles
Planes:	$810 Rochester -> Munich -> Rochester
Total Planes:	$ 810

Meaningful Moment 

Free to get ready for the trip.

Last Friday I had my final German grammar class of the fall term. Several days prior to that, I had my final Spanish grammar and final German conversation class of the fall term.

So over the weekend, I have been rediscovering what it means to have nothing to prepare for the next school day.

I spent Saturday doing some bird watching, participating in a club hike and then had the grandchildren for a sleepover. 

Sunday, I took them out for bubble tea, had a YMCA weight session, another club hike and then watched my son play some ice hockey.

In all of this, not once did I have to suffer through a nagging session in the deepest corners of my mind that I should have been doing homework.

It was glorious.

Random Thought of the Day

It's now a weekend and some days without the constant pressure to study and get homework done. Although I was auditing one Spanish and two German classes, they were highly interesting to me, so I put a lot of effort into them.

I had forgotten what it meant to be a full-time college student. The consistent thrust by the professors to introduce new material on top of only half-absorbed material. 

The internal drive to not just acquire knowledge (in this case two foreign languages), but to master all aspects of the material: reading, listening, writing and speaking. 

But my desires go beyond those four basic categories of language comprehension. I strove & strive for real-time processing of those babylonic syllables, that mish-mash of air pressure waves to the ear, that transliteration of ink symbols into electro-magnetic waves into neural synapse firings into "a thought", and last but not least - coordination of the tongue, lips, jaw and throat to speak - say - utter - stumble through a new syntax and new semantics to tell the waiter that I would like a cup of coffee with milk.

It's so simple and yet so impossible.

I'm re-watching Babylon 5, and every time they show all kinds of races walking past one another, intermingling, interacting and communicating, I  realize over and over how lucky I would be to work there as an interpreter, to live there as an inhabitant and to share ideas with "peoples" from all over the galaxy.

Sometimes I think I was born a couple of centuries too soon.

"Who am I?"

"What do I want?"

Checklist:

• Vaccine and boosters. No entry requirements for Germany at this time.
• Check passport for expiration date.
• Verify any visa requirements. (Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland)
• Currently, US citizens can travel to Europe for up to 90 days without any sort of travel authorization. Starting with 2023, US citizens visiting parts of Europe will need authorization from the European Union. 
• The European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, will require "pre-travel screening for security and migration risks of travelers benefiting from visa-free access to the Schengen area.
• TSA Global Entry Card
• Health Care: Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the U.S. Purchase travel insurance the provides for, at least, major medical, transportation while injured/sick and return of remains to U.S.
• Check expiration date on credit/debit cards.
• Notify bank of travel outside of USA so that they don't lock card due to suspected fraud.
• Auto-pay any bills or pay early.
• Plane ticket: downloaded 
• Test out all your electronics, e.g. chargers, tablets, cables/cords, phones. Bring equipment designed for your electronics. 
• Have power adapters available. Adapters differ among the U.S., Great Britain/Ireland and Spain/Portugal. 
• Turns out that Germany uses the same kind of power outlet plug as Spain. Was expecting the UK, Ireland, Switzerland type of outlet.
• Delete outdated maps on phone (to free up space.)  Download maps for Bavaria.
  
  

Just Over Two Weeks to Go

Date	04 Nov 22
Total All Caminos:	1620 miles
Planes:	Rochester -> Munich -> Rochester $ 810
Total Planes:	$ 810

Meaningful Moment

Nov 14, 2022:

With only two and 1/2 weeks to go, I start the day attending the funeral service of a good acquaintance. As far as I know, his passing was unexpected. He was 61 years old. 

There are so many reminders lately of how precious life is, how lucky I am to still be here. It was 11 years ago that I pretty much beat back my POEMS cancer. Read My Blog Here. 

I long ago learned to avoid reading the obits. Not much good came from that activity. The one exception is when I receive my monthly issue from the Fleet Reserve Assc. I do look for friends and acquaintances from my time as a Naval Russian linguist. Those were good times. It is an odd combination of relief to not see anyone that I know in the list, and sadness to see someone that I do know (or did know).

During the Mass at the service this morning, as I approached the altar to receive Communion, I momentarily touched the draping over the casket. I was so surprised at the depth of a fleeting fragmentary feeling of finality.  It has been some time since I had last met Mike, yet what had changed and made me shudder in a way, was the idea that I would never ever meet him again. 

My 70th comes up in about 10 months. Since my 69th, I had been keeping in the background the significance of my next birthday. In a way, I am not surprised that I am here. In fact I plan on making it to 100. But there is now this nagging firing of brain cells that happens at sporadic moments that reminds that everyone has their finality. 

I suppose the question is whether we make our own fate, or whether we are driven along by some pre-programmed machine running in the background  that drops a lever, rotates a cog, spins a tumbler and then BAM, the bus hits you.

Perhaps this might be one of the things that I reflect on as I make my way through Bavaria.

Or perhaps I am simply sad ... today.

Random Thought of the Day

Nov 15, 2022:

My mood has lightened today. Perhaps I just needed some time to get over yesterday's sadness.

Since my return from Ireland in the first week of September, I have taking nine credits of language courses at RIT. The workload has been overwhelming. I thought that it would be exciting and challenging and rewarding. While it has been all of those, the workload has also been draining, tiring and incessant.

A little while ago I finished the last of the homework that I am going to do. I have three classes tomorrow and two on Friday. Then I am done. I will switch to an all-on focus for my upcoming hiking in Bavaria. 

I need to train to get into shape for 13-mile days. I need to repair a twitch behind my left knee that has the potential to upend everything. If fact, I saw my physical therapist today to get some exercises to at best make it better, and at worst to hold off any decrease in my ability to hike.

The highlight of the day was going out with grandkids for a Starbucks coffed and Subway sandwich. They always make me feel better. 

Special Topic

Nov 18, 2022:

Kind of jumping around here. Had my last class of the term at RIT in German and Spanish today. It was a lot of work. I had classes in German conversation, German grammar (Intermediate) and Spanish grammar (intermediate). For the last nine weeks, pretty much of my free time was tied up doing homework. 

I got in my yoga classes and hiking and pickleball play, but it seemed like I was running from one activity to the next. Now I have actual "down" time. 

I will spend it watching youtube videos about:

•  Munich, e.g. the airport and train system, 
• everyday activities like shopping, getting a room for the night, 
• the Muencher Jakobsweg, and 
• travel videos about the towns along the way, AND
• THE WEATHER in Bavaria.

I must say that I really enjoyed the mental activities associated with all that language learning. It stimulated a lot of "grey" cell usage. I look forward to the spring 2023 term.

But now it is all about my upcoming trip.