It’s a strange and beautiful thing to meet a piece of your past for the first time. That’s how my journey to Germany began—landing in Frankfurt and walking into the embrace of a woman I had never met, yet who shares the same blood as my mother. My aunt, now 92 years old, stood there smiling, radiating a quiet strength that made me emotional in an instant. She is my mother’s sister—someone I had barely heard stories about. Meeting her for the first time felt like touching history, family, and something much deeper within myself.
After our emotional meeting, I spent a day being a tourist in Frankfurt. The city is a vibrant blend of old-world charm and modern architecture, business suits bustling past cobblestone alleys. I walked, observed, took pictures, and let myself be fully present in the energy of the city. But something tugged at my heart—an urge to slow down and find the quieter corners of Germany.
That’s when I headed to Rüdesheim am Rhein, a town that could easily belong in a fairytale. Picture charming half-timbered houses, colorful blooms spilling out of flower boxes, and the hum of life set to a slower, sweeter rhythm. It was love at first sight. I visited the musical instrument museum, where centuries of craftsmanship whispered stories through wood, metal, and string. There’s something sacred about the way music survives generations—it reminded me that beauty, like love and memory, is never truly lost.
The next day, I journeyed to Wiesbaden and went sightseeing. I stumbled upon an old casino, a place with grandeur and elegance that made me feel like I had stepped into another era. I didn’t gamble, but I wandered the halls, imagining the lives that had passed through. Then it was off to Fulda, a town marked by a breathtaking cathedral that rises like a prayer against the sky. As I walked through the town's stone paths, I thought about faith—not just in the religious sense, but in life, in journeys, in healing.
One detail that stayed with me throughout these towns: the flowers. They are everywhere, spilling from shops, peeking out of balconies, coloring sidewalks. In many ways, they mirrored what I felt inside: a quiet blossoming. A soft return to myself.
Then came the visit to Berlin—a shift in tempo and energy. Berlin has a pulse. It’s edgy, bold, full of contrast and creativity. But my reason for going wasn’t just the sights—it was to reunite with one of my best friends from Brazil. We hadn’t seen each other since 2015. A decade had passed, and yet the moment we hugged, it felt like no time at all. Isn’t it beautiful how true connections don’t fade with distance or time?
Together, we explored Berlin both as wide-eyed tourists and as locals. We visited historical landmarks that made my heart ache and art spaces that made it dance. We talked for hours over meals, caught up on life, and laughed until our stomachs hurt. Reconnecting reminded me of who I was then, and who I’ve become since.
Every city I visited gave me a different kind of gift. Frankfurt reminded me of family and roots. Rüdesheim offered charm and beauty. Wiesbaden gave me elegance, and Fulda, serenity. Berlin handed me joy and reconnection. But more than anything, Germany reminded me of the power of presence.
So often we move through life on autopilot—thinking of what’s next, worrying about what’s behind. But travel, especially when it carries the weight of emotion and meaning, wakes us up. It reminds us that life isn’t meant to just be survived—it’s meant to be felt, embraced, and marveled at.
This trip wasn’t just about seeing new places. It was about rediscovering parts of myself. It was about meeting the past, honoring the present, and walking through every flower-filled street with open eyes and an even more open heart.
In a world that moves fast, Germany taught me to pause. To admire a cathedral. To talk to an old friend. To sit with a 92-year-old woman who carries the stories of generations. To walk slowly through flower markets and let the beauty sink in.
Because sometimes, it’s not about how far you go—it’s about how deeply you allow yourself to experience where you are.
My Germany Highlights
From connecting with family I had never met and seeing a very good friend to rediscovering a part of myself, my trip to Germany was a heartfelt blend of past, present, and soul-stirring beauty.
Must-Sees from the Journey:
Rüdesheim am Rhein– A storybook town where charm lives in every flower box.
Musical Instrument Museum – A hidden gem echoing history through sound.
Wiesbaden Casino – Classic elegance worth wandering.
Fulda Cathedral – A spiritual pause in stone and sky.
Berlin – Bold, creative, and the site of a joyful reunion with a beloved friend.
This journey reminded me that the most meaningful travel is not just about where you go—but what opens inside you along the way.