It was another one of those nights. The kind of night in which you have so much fun you awake thinking you've perhaps participated in an illegal (or morally wrong) activity.
But that's never a bad way to start a new year, so ... here's a bit of our story.
Todd, Jeremy, Jeff and I decided to head west for New Year's Eve in the city of Neu Ulm, bordering the western side of Bavaria, to visit my friend and former Hawaiian warehouse roommate, Steve. (Stevenhausen Hausen for all the aloha state peeps.)
The seemingly simple 4-hour train ride turned into a 7-hour wild goose chase (apparently the Bayern pass isn't good in Bad-Wurttenburg? and apparently we got on the wrong train? and apparently playing dumb works in not paying a fine?). So we arrived 3 hours late, but right on time for dinner and drinks. Mmmmmmm. Perfect.
Steve and his friends were more than accommodating and welcomed us with open arms. In return, we brought some international flair to the already culturally integrated party. Luckily, English became the common language, we actually knew what was going on most of the time. (Until later that is, but that had nothing to do with the language barrier.)
As midnight approached we walked downtown through a stream of smoke and fireworks and made it to the balcony of Steve's 8th floor apartment in time for a fantastic view of fireworks over Neu Ulm. We added to the excitement by lighting our own and popping some bubbly.
The party continued well into the night and the following tid-bits may or may not have had something to do with our fun and/or the ability to remember them: house party, Italian karaoke, booze, Wieblingen gang signs, friendly cougars, old man bar, Passat poop, neighborhood squabble, unsuspecting pedestrians on fire, flapper dress, hidden entrance to a gay bar, bra money and a wayward monchichi.
Yep - it was that great.
Our first taste of Neu Ulm and its big sister Ulm was a bit of a whirlwind, but both are culturally rich cities. Ulm has an amazing history (and the world's tallest church!).
Neu Ulm seems to be that up-and-coming industrial sector with a big city draw. The cities are separated by the - cold yet floatable - Danube River.
It was great to see Steve again after 3 years and his presence surely warrants another trip to Neu Ulm soon. Perhaps after some rest .... a long, long rest.
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