Rostock to Berlin

Honestly, I was little apprehensive to leave Rostock. I felt like I still had errands. I had to buy a new helmet. In the days previous, I got only coffee at a Chinese Restaurant with a new friend from the ferry because they were closing. I left my helmet there--I ran back up and and the door was shut with the lights out. I tried all types of knocks: the polite knock, the key knock, the banging knock, but no answer.

I thought I would go back, but it just seemed far away and I wasn't sure where it was exactly. Then a few days later, I looked at helmets, but none seemed to fit and they only carries this one German brand. I had trouble communicating. I'm planning to get one in Berlin.

It has been a beautiful ride down to Berlin, but it took me longer than I anticipated because the signage is confusing, the roads are dirt sometimes, and the terrain has some rollers.

I relied on a mix of GPS and these signs. My cell was working hard. At times, I took the strategy of just getting to the next city. Müritz was really out there, and I tried my best to conserve cell power by not taking pictures.

I stayed overnight near Waren. I had trouble finding a place. There was one campground, but they had a number to call. I left a message in broken German, and they called when I was onto the next place. I did end up finding another campground on the lake just as the sun was setting.

I've had to speak in German more than I'd like, but people can understand me in the simple ways I need. I've always tried to be patient with people who don't speak English, but this further deepens what it's like. Because for some people to talk to others in this broken matter, it means they really desire to do something, sometimes desperately.

On Thursday night, I had a host waiting for me in Berlin through Warm Showers, a cycling website. They called and wanted me to get there a little sooner than the rate I was moving. She advised that I ride to Fürstenberg and take a train to Berlin. 

It was really easy to take the train, and they had a car for my bike. While I was on the train, I was able to charge my phone so that I could use it to find their address. All for 10 euros. Success.

Even so, I have some remorse about not biking the whole way. I may take the train back to ride the leg from there to Berlin tomorrow.

My hosts are very nice and accommodating. I slept better there than I had for days. I dreamt that I was living during wartime, probably a side effect of walking around somewhere that has been affected by so much. I saw the Berlin Wall on the way to their apartment.

I'm going to spend some time at some museums today getting a little more familiar with the history of this place. I'll probably be here for 3 days altogether, with a few nights in a hostel.

I have met a lot of kind people. It makes it easier and fun.

Tschüs.