Destination: Starbucks

Once we headed back to Heiden Heim we head a couple days to relax before we came back home to Lushnje. The family was busy doing different things but only one thing stood out in my mind that I knew I had to do before I left. FIND STARBUCKS!

I had been told that there was one in Stuttgart which was about an hour and a half from Heiden Heim. I got the address (sort of) off the Internet, and I headed towards the train station. By myself.

I had gotten a feel of the trains from riding them with Elke throughout the past week. But of coarse she bought the tickets and told me where to go and where to get off at. But I knew I wanted to conquer it on my own, so I went. I was expecting the little automatic thing where you buy the tickets to have a button where you could read it in English. Samantha brown said most European train ticket things have a English button. This one didn't. Elke had written down the name of the ticket for me, so I found that name and struggled through the very little German I had picked up from the last week. Somehow (I know how G-O-D) I got the ticket and headed for where my train would be. I was early so I had time to take some pictures and prepare myself.

So I had noticed that when young people in Germany ride the trains, they love to listen to there music constantly. They all have at least one headphone in there ear and hide the whole music player and cords except for the actual piece that goes in your ear. Hmmm I hope that was not to confusing, I was just oddly intrigued by it. So since I was to be a German Train Traveler. I disguised my iPod as much as I could and put my headphones in. I was ready, with a nice selection of tunes for my adventurous day!
I had to take two trains, I got on my first train nice and easy, and then just as easy got on the second. About 30 minutes into the ride a guy came to check my ticket. I handed it to to him ready for him to stamp it, but he didn't. He started saying something to me in German with an upset face. Uh oh, not good. I finally manage to tell him I didn't understand him, so he thankfully knew English and told me what the problem was. Obviously there are more then one type of train and not all tickets go with every train. So I had to buy an extra ticket from him. I really didn't care that I had to pay more money, I was just glad he didn't kick me out.

When I got to Stuttgart it was around 12, The day was perfect- it was sort of warm with a nice breeze. I followed everyone through the underground shopping area that led to the other side of the road. There were people everywhere, brand name stores, and just excitement. I loved being around all the energy. The big city reminded me of home, and it felt good. I kept walking straight down the main road. I passed store after store with designer everything. It was fun to look, but of coarse that's all I did. My stomach started to growl, but my mission was not complete yet. I still had not seen the green umbrellas. I walked straight for a good twenty minutes, but enjoyed every minute of it. There was different street performers and just fun noises coming from every direction. I finally saw a huge sign that resembled what I thought was the name of the address I saw on the Internet. I got to the sign looked to the right and there it was. Destination Found! I just stood with a huge smile on my face as I looked at the corner Starbucks. I couldn't believe it, I found it and on my own.

Because I found it and knew it was not going anywhere, I told myself I needed to eat actual food first. I really wanted to find a nice little German bistro. But all I could find was every other type of food then German. I first passed by a Pizza hut. I thought ummm that sounds really good, but then decided I can get pizza in Albania. It might taste different but it's pizza. Then I saw the golden arches. Yep I knew where I wanted to go. McDonald's. I got a kids meal and was very happy when it tasted exactly the same as back at home. It immediately made me think of when we were kids and we would count up our pennies to go get kids meals from McDonald's. Let me just make it clear for the record we were not so poor that we HAD to count pennies, it just my dad collected all his change in this huge jar so every once in a while we would count some up and treat ourselves to McDonald's. Ha, goodtimes. It also reminded me of wed. nights going to church from work with my mom. McDonald's is a favored spot of ours.

Anyways, after my lovely moment with Mickey D's I headed back into the town and looked around at stores for a while. I thought it would be best if I walked off my lunch for a while before hitting up Starbucks. I saw some cool stores, but nothing that just jumped out at me. I then headed back to my destination and felt so warm as I entered the lovely doors.

I loved just ordering my favorite drink like I always do and they knew exactly what I said. "Venti, peppermint mocha, with no whip" I also went for a slice of triple truffle chocolate cake. Yeah I know, it was amazing. I had been craving chocolate cake so bad. When I saw it, there was no way I could leave with out it being in my hands as well. I grabbed a few flyer's for Stacey (Sadly the coaster or cup was not in German sorry) and I headed back home.

It was a wonderful afternoon as I took the trains back and enjoyed my amazing coffee and chocolate. I actually got off at the wrong exit and had no Idea where I was but oddly I was super calm. I just had a feeling I was close to Heiden heim. So I followed the train tracks and just rocked out to my music. I soon found a really nice walking trail that kept following the train tracks just like the one we have back at home. It was such a lovely walk, I cant even explain the goodtimes me and God had on that walk. But on my walk I first saw a street sign that said "Alfred" I thought it was funny since so many people mess our name up with that one , So I took a photo of it. Then I came to the next sign and almost fell over with laughter. I couldn't believe it:

If you cant read that it says "Deitrich Bonhoeffer" as a daughter and sister of three theologians I have heard this name many a time. I just knew at that moment, the reason why I got off at the wrong exit was so I could find this street sign and take a picture of it for my family. Ha Ha. I have no clue if this was once where he lived or what there was no other sign explaining things. But lets just say it made me happy. Sorry if you have no clue who he is or why this made me so happy. It just did.

I soon found the train station in Heinden Heim and found my way back home. It was such an amazing day. I learned that I love doing things on my own like that. I mean I would have loved doing it with others, but its great to know theres no regulations on what I can do. You really can do anything with God.

We left for Albania on monday evening and travelled in a tiny car for 13 hours through Austira (I listened to The Sound of Music the whole time. Amazing) to italy. Where we got a ferry and landed back home in Albania. It was a long trip, but thankfully we are all back safe and sound. I am just so thankful for the whole experiance and I know I will never forget it.

God is Good. All the time.