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Money’s Worth

Sightseeing in Florence day 5: Last day 🙁 don’t be disheartened, I will give my full gas! #Planned

I arrived before our meeting point for walking tour about Medici Family with Gabriela, giving me some time to soaks in the Renaissance beauty.

We gathered in front of “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” church at Piazza San Lorenzo. Gabi’s theory is if the church is not so pretty from the outside, it will be pretty on the inside, vice versa. Any proof?

We went to one corner where Palazzo Medici Riccardi located, yep they owned a palace ~ doesn’t mean they were royal residence, instead just a very wealthy person who can own an impressive formal building. They started as a humble shepherd family from selling wool to one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Europe, playing a major role in banking, politics and art. They realized the great power of art, if he wants to ties some business in another city, he would sent Michelangelo and Botticelli for example to decorate Sistine Chapel.

Gabi talked about the entrance of the bank is in the corner to be easily spotted as in the past they don’t have street name. The palace was normal lookalike from the outside with a reason: Medici wants to be liked by people of Florence, spreading their subtle message “I am just a normal people like you all, I also want my voices to be heard by government”.

Next is the heart of Florence, Duomo di Firenze. The exterior of Duomo is a collections of marbles: green from Prato symbolized hope; white from Carrara symbolized faith; red from Maremma symbolized charity or love. The 16 people are not Apostles #Math ain’t mathing 🙂 they are notable citizens such as Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo, Dante, Leonardo da Vinci. At the center of the façade, there’s Virgin Mary and baby Jesus surrounded by 12 Apostles.

No one died #officially during the building of the Cupola owing to Brunelleschi’s engineering methods and his attention to worker safety. Not officially is one died because he drinks too much wine. We do want to live a longer life, therefore Gabi brought us to the lucky boar ~ Il Porcellino which obviously a replica, the real one is in Museo Bardini, do not under any circumstances tried to touch his snout, no luck gonna come to you. You can only touch the replica ones 😉

There is a secret passage near Uffizi connects Palazzo Vecchio to the Pitti Palace. All we need to do is look up haha #Not so secrets anymore.

Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici was the last of the Medici family, she was a smart woman, every reason why Florence still have everything is thank to her. Before she passed away she signed a packed to keep the Medici’s belonging inside Florence, it can’t be sold elsewhere. 18th February is celebrated as her day, many museums are free of charge.

I decided to go to Piazza Michelangelo, tried to use bus initially, in the end taking the same mode of transportation for the past 5 days: on foot. The view does pretty up here, some says at sunset it will be very good, seeing view of Florence from the other side. This is the Economic slash budget version for someone who wants to enjoy sunset from a higher ground. I however, will be on the Cupola 😉

I bought the Brunelleschi Pass for the Duomo cost 30 Euro consist of Cathedral, Santa Reparata, Baptistery, Bell Tower, Cupola. I am dead at this point #Too many walking. Seeing the line to get inside the Cathedral, hmmm I have bought the complete pass yo, can’t be waiting with all this free people #Devil’s laugh who only wants to get inside the Duomo.

I went first to Santa Reparata, using the other entrance, you will get inside the Cathedral as it’s located in the basement, make sense since it’s an archeological site. Back to first meeting with Gabi, she does has some point though, idk if it’s due to the Duomo is still under construction or is it only this simple hmmmm. In the Santa Reparata there is a bench, great! I sat there for 40 minutes before I move on to Baptistery.

Once I got inside, it is almost all covered due to construction. I really need to come back hey! Door of Heaven, why? Fun version: it was named by Michelangelo, it has taken ages to finish the door, he said he might have been in heaven when the door is complete. Once it’s done, he still not yet in heaven 😉 The serious version: baptistery is a crucial site for Christian initiation. Baptism is viewed as a rite of passage into the Christian faith, symbolizing the entry into a new life and the Kingdom of Heaven. Real fact: None of the door is original for there was a flood in Florence, they moved it to the Museum of Duomo.

Rest from my pass is Giotto’s Campanile Bell Tower, Cupola (got the timeslot) and Museum. I calculated if I managed to climbed the bell Tower prior my time slot to go to the Cupola. I can’t, I cannot, I am unable to can. #Reality is different from planned. What’s fortunate is this ticket valid for 3 days, meaning I can still go tomorrow morning before my flight back to Dortmund. I choose the later, went to a coffee shop, sat again for another hour, preparing my legs for 463 steps to Cupola.

While waiting on the line, I leaned on the barricade, suddenly snapped “we haven’t even started and I already tired” if I can get refund I would #First thought

Climb started, it’s all spiral, at some point I could need some seconds, sat in between the hole, letting all other people to go through. After gathered up some muscles back, I continued my journey in between a couple from Amsterdam and USA in front of me and USA Family behind me which later becomes my motivation to still continue the journey. Gabi said “if in the end you can’t going on anymore, drop it guys, its not worthy, you want to have fun on your holiday, don’t torture yourself”. Nope Gabi, I’m gonna make my money’s worth! #Dedication…or economic logic.

Finally I reached the top, the father from the USA family behind me said “if you want some pictures let me know” oh don’t worry I will have every pictures on every angle, I’m gonna make my money’s worth #Mantra. Jon and Rianne alas the couple in front of me patiently took every pictures of me + holding my bag. Without a doubt we were the loudest there on top, I don’t care, I paid for it, repeating my mantra over and over again until it’s being heard.

Thanks God I have an Asian mentality in my blood, I didn’t follow my first thought otherwise I wouldn’t have met Jon and Rianne. Leute, we really into this, we’ve got it all, all views only and view with ourselves #Were very busy!

We were second to last groups that went up at 18:00, the guide shouted “continue to go down please, its over, time for next group”. Walked passed a room of handgun or something, its not even pretty yet I’m still gonna take picture of it as a proof, chanting my mantra. We were back to inside the cathedral, one higher level in comparison to when we went up to the Cupola, what I want to express is we could see the frescoes clearly and the bottom of the frescos are so ugly fulls of devils or so. I said this to Tracy at home she commented “yeah hell is a scary place”. Stimmt!

OK we got out from the church now, we do live by our mantra on that evening. As if all the thousands pictures on the Cupola weren’t enough, we must make a picture with the truck too hahaha

Rianne is dead tired, nevertheless I brought them to the front side where you can see 4 buildings in one: Baptistery, Cathedral, Cupola and Bell Tower. She gained some energy for last couple of pictures.

Only Jon lived by the Mantra ~ he followed a YouTuber with all money’s worth tip 😉 he solely will come up to Bell Tower the next day while Rianne wait downstairs. Usually the wife is the one who comes up whereas the husband wait, well, its time for a change now hahaha. They will start later while I need to be there once they opened.

Big shoutout to Jon & Rianne, I’m really grateful we met, my Duomo experience would be totally different had I not met you two! Climbed up solo, climbed down with friends 🙂 Since we are geographically neighbor, I really do hope to see you guys again in the near future!

On my last evening, I went to have dinner with Tracy, she said once you were on the top of the Cupola, you don’t need to go to Bell Tower, it will be with Grid plus its lower anyway. Oh girl, no way, I am not only FOMO but on a mission to make my money’s worth, I still coming up hahaha. I was very happy I didn’t go on the same day to both tower or else my leg might get amputated hahaha #For real.

Next day it is! On the way to Bell Tower there is also some benches to rest, I took advantage of it. I’m not in a hurry anyway, this and Museum then I crossed all my list.

Last pass! Everything you see from outside is the replica hahaha the real one is in the museum. It is a three floor museum with statues of the churches. The idea of Duomo, look at this the “possibility” of how the Cupola might looks like based on different architect.

There is also a movie where I watched two times in Italian and English so I sat longer hahaha

Then a Poem from Michelangelo, I think was good, well he’s a legend 🙂

Michelangelo Buonarroti, Rime.

Sonnet written in the years he was working on the Pieta.

  • The course of my life has brought me now through a stormy sea, in a frail ship, to the common port where, landing, we account for every deed, wretched or holy.
  • So that finally I see how wrong the found illusion was that made art my idol and my king, leading me to want what harmed me.
  • My amorous fancies, once foolish and happy: what sense have they, now that I approach two deaths-the first if which I know sure, the second threatening.
  • Let neither painting nor carving any longer calm my soul turned to that divine love who to embrace us opened his arms upon the cross.

Closing the day with some shopping, I need to get myself something yo, reward after all this one million steps hahaha. Tracy said about a gloves leather shop called Madova and a pendant charm store at Santo Spirito called Giuliano Ricchi.

The experience at Madova was amazing, she held my hand, in an instant knew exactly my size ~ it’s 6,5, like Tracy described. The price cost either 47 Euro for Silk or 53,50 Euro for Cashmere. I don’t ask if they have any other style, I choose the silk one.

The Giuliano Ricchi Jewelry is a normal house you need to ring the bell, I bought a necklace with one charm, it cost 25 Euro.

Yes I managed to get it all, in additon sip my last Hugo.

Once more, regardless of many Baustelle, Italy has my heart. I will come back for sure, until next time Firenze!

Tips: The Duomo is a must, I strongly suggest to buy all the Brunelleschi Pass like me, yes its cost 30 Euro. Need to mentioned, other than the time slot to Cupola, it’s valid for three days, you can do one each in Ruhe.

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No Revolution

Sightseeing in Florence day 3.

Tracy was like “are you seriously you gonna be the whole day in Pisa? It is very small, what are you gonna do there?” Noooo don’t worry, the tour will be Pisa – San Gimignano and Siena. Then she was relieved to know it, quote “then it’s OK, you won’t be bored”

Tomato tomatoes with the day before, tour starts at 07:30 AM meeting point at 07:15 AM, it does feels like a disciplinary holiday 😉 the only reason I enjoyed waking up early. On the way to the meeting point, I met a couple, her name is Meta, she said she got an Email explaining they will got a refund because the Bishop decided to have a Mass on Siena’s church. I don’t get any Mail nor WA, then I know they went in a full mode including wine tasting + lunch + guided tour in Sienna while I only for transportation version.

We’ve got 45 minutes at Pisa. Our guide Fabi explained there are 4 parts to see: Baptistery – Church – Pisa Tower – Cemetery, describes the beginning and end of life.

I looked for another solo rider, aha, found her, Nora from the States 🙂 Passed the gate, seeing Pisa was an overwhelming feeling, although it was or is not considered 7 Wonders of the World, for me it is. I always saw it in Internet now it’s right before my eyes.

When you see the bottom of it, it does tilt, the picture didn’t do the justice. Obviously you need to have a mandatory pushing Pisa pictures haha.

We circled around….that was it hahaha! The whole city was literally centered in this square haha. Previously I was confused to why should I be bored in Pisa? #Understood 😉

We’ve given up on where’s the cemetery. Some says “you’ll find what you’re looking for when you’re not searching for it”. That’s exactly happened, we find the last part of life when we were supposed to be back to our meeting point. With that, Pisa: checked!

Fabi counted if all people are on the bus, she said “please sit back at your original seat guys, no revolution” hahaha so changing the seat consider revolution now heyyy 😀

Next to a medieval hill town called San Gimignano. Meta and Nora are the full tour people, they will have their wine tasting and lunch. Which means, I explore this town all by myselffff. Right after I entered the gate, I followed arrow to Punto Panoramico, what will it lead me to? A green panoramic view 🙂

Need to refuel my energy with Lasagna + Hugo. They have the best ice cream in the world ~ Behauptet, whilst I believe it, however the lines were just too long. I prefer see around what else do they have here.

I always set up a timer on my phone, met a couple from the group asked them what time we should meet up? #Sicher ist sicher. They speak no English, either Spanish or Portuguese. I opened calculator 😉 it has many functions not only for bargaining in China but also to talked about time. Thanks God I met them otherwise I will be the one whom everyone waits for, they saved me from my walk of shame haha

Last Chianti experience is Sienna. Initially I didn’t get the grasp of it as to where should I go, somehow I took the wrong turn, is it really what this city can offer?

Luckily I managed to see the heart of this city, the Piazza del Campo where the student from Poland named Maksymillian took me as a confused tourist, brought me to Duomo di Siena. For a student, you can get in to Duomo for free, aha, it was an ancient times ago. Before we went back to the oldest bank in the world meeting point, we closed the day by sharing a very hype Ice Cream Grom #FOMO which similar to his last name Krom, nope he’s not the owner of the shop 😉

I have to say I wasn’t walking that much in comparison to the day before, yet of all the accumulated walking, I had to ask Tracy for a Voltaren or Counterpain or whatever gel to release muscles. She doesn’t have it, what she does though a massager, oh way better! She asked “so tomorrow you are going to Rome?” Yes – “At what time?” 8AM is the train – “Gosh hearing your schedule I already feel tired” haha I called it a happy kind of exhaustion 😀

Facts: I paid 65 Euro from Get Your Guide website “Tuscany: Day Trip to Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti” the full tour including lunch + wine tasting + guided tour in Siena was about 122 Euro, I do the exchange rate because Meta paid in USD. According to them, the lunch + wine tasting wasn’t so good, they can’t have options for lunch it was already prepared and the wine was too little to taste anything, they regret it.

I asked Nora what are the most interesting information from the guided tour. She explains that Siena divided into 17 “groups” who were in horse war each year to decide who would be the ruler / winner for the year. The horse was decided 3 days before the race, within 3 days they need to find the jockey and…… the horse can win without the jockey. In the end, it’s rather based on luck other than any training whatsoever. There you go 😉 now you can decide if you want for a full tour or the economic version haha

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Yes, I’ll Be There

Sightseeing in Florence day 2, I am going to Cinque Terre! Saw some pictures while I’m booking for Pisa from Get Your Guide website, hmmm… this does looks like Amalfi Coast, it’s a M.U.S.T 😉

Tracy did mentioned the possibility to go to Cinque Terre by myself, normally that what I would do but since I have not really do my usual preparation, decided to just do it with the tour, one less concern.

The tour departs at 6:40 AM, meeting points 20 minutes before, walked from Tracy’s place needed 30 minutes. Calculate backwards you know what time I should get up right? As a comparison my first alarm for waking up to work is at 6:30 AM, doesn’t mean I really got up though. However, if it’s about travel, trust me, rain or shine, I’ll be there! #Dedicated. Little did I knew when I arrived at the train station to register myself, the ticket lady said my tour is the “Bus Transport” only, doesn’t include visit to all villages, if I want to upgrade I will have to pay 51 Euro. I asked if I can take the train by myself or there is really no other transportation way other than by car? Getting yes as an answer, Ok I’ll do the first, checked on trenitalia website, the cost of each train ticket is only 5 Euro. Perfectooo!

They dropped all of us at Levanto Train station, that’s where we separated, some people goes with the groups, I bought my Cinque Terre Card for 19,50 Euro. I’m all set! Adventure for one: starts!

Cinque Terre = Five Lands, consist of Monterosso al Mare; Vernazza; Corniglia (up in the hill, bus needed or walk up 1 km); Manarola; Riomaggiore.

According to Tracy’s the best is Monterosso al Mare. I made sure it was my first station, had she not tell me, it would me my last’s as it was the closest to Levanto where our meeting point is.

Not only beach, there is a kind of Fortress here, I’ll hike up!

Where the fortress? haha got distracted by a tunnel which lead me to “city center” area offering some places to eat + church. If I continue walking, wouldn’t reach the Fortress at any time soon so I had to go back.

Now I’m ready to slowly walk up 🙂 Mind you, my legs are still sore from yesterday full day walking haha I did have my doubt, nevertheless after put one step in front of the other, it’s kind of doable. I used some chance to sit every now and then.

On the way down, well… up too, I just didn’t pay attenzione, written a graffiti “just the 2 of us” but I’m only one hmmmm

My plan next is going to the further side (Riomaggiore) then back getting closer and closer to Levanto. If they don’t have mussels restaurant, I would say Riomaggiore is not my fav, sowohl small als auch only way up, there are stairs too that leads to have no idea, I saw it and immediately throw white towel haha.

Manarola on the other hand, is walking friendly, even though at some point you also reached the higher position in contrast to when you started, you don’t really feel the hike. I’m not sure if you can swim on the beach side, it could be only on Monterosso. I do not mind, I’d say Manarola is giving me the most Amalfi Coast vibe.

Follow the path, ended up in a slightly higher level, feel so happy aaaaaaa! It could be better than Amalfi Coast due to the fact Cinque Terre is in the north part of Italy. The Italy I always have in mind.

Einerseits I still want to stay a bit in Manarola, andererseits I’m also FOMO gotta see the last 2 Terre in less than 90 minutes. Move move moveeeee, next is Corniglia. To my disappointment, it was not as good as the others. Since it was raining + located on top of the hill, I will / had to wait for the bus with the hope I would still catch the train on time to Vernazza.

Ran to the Platform, yes! made it on time. I love Vernazza! It’s good to have this as the last stop, they actually have a castle. I didn’t even know where the castle located, for some reason didn’t see it. Sara from the tour went there she said its cost 2 Euro except she didn’t have time to see the church. I do the opposite way from her.

What I like about joining a tour, got one more amiga in south of Spain 🙂

When I visit my other Sara haha, I’ll see you too 🙂 until then… ¡Hasta luego!

Much needed dinner! Tracy brought me to her favorite pasta place ~ Alla Vecchia Bettola, we both took a scooter, it was a bit juggling because the road in Florence is not smooth, in the end I manage it! The foods are delicious! I like their pasta #no question ask, surprisingly the liver of the chicken too! We go full version with ice cream! #Wenn schon denn schon.

Tips: You can also do the same like me from Get Your Guide website choose “From Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip by Bus”, it cost 54 Euro while the full tour cost 99 Euro, if additional on the day then +51 Euro. The tour does include cruise by boat ~ if Zeus against it, no refund was given. I’m not sure how much if you go by train / bus by yourself maybe back and forth from Florence, perhaps it could cost cheaper than 54 Euro.

Once you arrived Levanto buy the Cinque Terre Card it cost 19,50 Euro and you can go to all 5 Terre, using the bus to Corniglia too. I agree with leaving Florence around 6:30-7:00 AM if you want to see all 5 Terre on one day then better arrive as early as possible. I only have no more than 1 hour on each Terre, it was enough whilst I also need to hurry. Imo, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza and Manarola are the best. The rest it’s totally OK to skip, you won’t miss much 🙂

If you can’t go to Amalfi Coast, go here, Tracy also had the same view, she commented: they both have same concept, colorful house and beaches, only the color in Amalfi is more nude. Just an alternative if you’re not mentally ready to face Southern part of Italy 😉

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In der Badewanne

Esperar Leute….

My colleagues are very curious bezüglich my first Oktoberfest experience, everyone said be careful, the beer there has more % of alcohol, there are only betrunkene Leute.

I took train to Thomas & Janine then we three drove together to Munich. Stopping by at Thailanese Restaurant Khanittha on Werksviertel for lunch. Thomas’ colleague said this place is pretty authentic one, yeah, including the service, they slightly ignoring us although it wasn’t really full, you need maintain strong eye contact if you want to request something.

We ordered 3 dishes, I mean every Asian should know that it was meant for sharing. I know we were also 3 people, could be the German way of eating 1 dish each…. imo still no, the logic ain’t logicing. Since they didn’t give us some plates, we decided to just hau rein while waiting if we could grab their attentione.

There was some Werbung on the table to scan our bill for winning a trip to Thailand. Had never expected Thomas has never been to Thailand considering he’s the diver King. Hope one of us will win it!

Continue driving to our main purpose of the day: Claudia & Giovanni’s apartment which is directly in front of Theresienwiese. We parked 2 stations away, walked with our luggage + bags only for the security guy to stopped us. Thomas said “wir wollen darüber gehen” he doesn’t care, detour we must.

Made it, there are several homeworks to do in their place: Thomas manually pumped my Luftmatratze ~ secure my sleeping place for tonight or else I’ll have to sleep in the Badewanne 😉 , Freya arrived, Giovanni distributed our entrance + voucher. Claudia still have to work a bit, that’s why we headed first!

My first feeling entering die Wiesn was WOW! Marina said it’s a Kirmes, like any other Volksfest except much much much bigger! Had to say Jein: Ja ~ can see the Kirmes style Achterbahn, snacks und co. Nein ~ not only all of them are on Jumbo size, the atmosphere were just different on every level, everyone wears Dirndl & Lederhose, it’s like Alice entering Wonderland. Good I went to Canstatter Wasen with Andreas before hence I know the tent wasn’t made of circus tent haha this is not #This is the greatest show oo oo oo oo, it involves woods, bricks and his friends.

Our tent Pschorr Bräurosl located in the middle. My colleague Sabrinchen also there, she and her partner – Manuel came to visit me for one Mas! We work together in Dortmund yet had to go to Munich to meet outside the office hours 😀

The waiter came, Manuel ordered 6 Mas. I was confused at first because in Wasen there are more type of beer options, in here, in our tent there is only one: Bräurosl Beer! The mas! the 1 Liter Beer, it’s heavy! Can’t hold still, reached my Maximale Belastung! hahaha Giovanni asked if I already trained “Mas Heben” #facepalm.

After some time, Claudia finished her work, yeay! We are still waiting for the other 4. I had to say Claudia & Giovanni are the profi, they brought Müllsacke to put our jacket protecting it from the dirt, foldable Waserflasche, tag for their beer. I might follow all of their tips for next year.

Thomas and Giovanni, they both really excited to see me drunk, not happening bro. Thomas said “If you drunk no problem, we can carry you home, if you feel sick, there is the Badewanne.” Gio kept prost-ing my Mas, prost prost prost…. stop, waitttt!

Some hour later I really mean some, at least 1,5 hour… my Mas is finished! I have to ask Claudia for bullet proof documentation. Stephan came late yet he finished his Mas before me. He asked “what do you usually drink?” “I don’t! That’s the whole point. The reason why they always “Marlyn, come on 加油加油” Leute, it is not about the 油 that’s need to be 加 😉

It helps to know some songs in German….or in English…. or in Italian haha Music in general. There are some songs which was played more often than the other called Ein Prosit. The crowd hype out of nowhere on “Hey Baby, I wanna know, if you’d be my girl” Followed by Hulapalu, Cordula Grün, Atemlos durch die Nacht, Skandal im Sperrbezirk, 99 Luftballons. Overjoyed they include Bella Ciao on the list too! Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao. What’s else? Gimme Gimme Gimme the man after midnight, then I can sleep in Badewanne. Claudia cut “in his Badewanne, not ours” 😉 On the Mamamia song, Thomas said “Marlyn, stand here, pointing at the bar / separator between the tables” Aye Aye! Going there! You can see from the video how by then I lost my balance. The final song in every tent #Gio’s word is forever and always Angels von Robbie William.

Kai + Coco + Elena + Stephan need to leave earlier, the last man standing was….. the Food Nerds people! hahaha as always 😉 plus Freya!

During his 2,5 Mas Thomas realized he lost his wallet! Oh no! Even though I was tipsy, my brain still can work. Asked the waiter if he saw a wallet maybe on the floor. Me, Janine, Claudia, Freya looked on the floor with our flashlight. Damn! Whats inside? at this point, money is the less concern, it is more like bank card, ID, things you need to go to office, make some report pfff too many Aufwand. Of course we didn’t find it, they told us to go to the office downstairs.

Me and Claudia went to the Büro while Thomas and Janine search elsewhere. Guess what? His wallet was safe and sound on the Schublade! Phew!

Once we out from the office, Thomas was walking on our way to the Büro, we stopped him.

He couldn’t believe it!

I am on cloud nine for my first Oktoberfest with all of these people. Of course I don’t talk much with all the 4 who went earlier, however I got the impressions they are all nice. Elena was so creative she was the snow white from Innsbruck 🙂 #What a memory, Innsbruck, love it. Stephan who I thought at first has some family connections with Andrea due to his ring is kind of similar with Andrea’s #They’re not distant family. The cool Freya, we hold umbrella side by side actually she was holding it, because of that she got free umbrella on the street haha.

Undoubtedly my food nerds! Grateful we have been friend for a looonnngg time, almost a decade! With Thomas since 2016 who introduced me later to Claudia & Giovanni, had I not met him I wouldn’t know them! Giovanni who always relaxed and welcoming “Ah your friend Sabrina can also join us, we still have place on the table, let’s meet in the Tent” Claudia the queen of Dirndl ~ perfect from top to bottom, who calm Thomas & Gio when they unstoppable hyping me up with my Mas! Thomas & Janine who I finally have a picture of you as a couple ~ only you two, just in case someone will ask again! 😉

What a happy ending, it’s all work out in the end, I don’t sleep in Badewanne + Thomas got his complete wallet back!

Would be very excited to be with the same people on the table again hopefully next year I could get more chance to speak with the fantastic-four 😉

Def not the last Oktoberfest! Repeat please!
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View – Part 2

I reached my pinnacle of excitement, denn:

  • Ich habe Chris gesehen.
  • Welcher Chris?
  • Martin!

Merkur Spiel Arena Düsseldorf is quiet far from City Center ~ circa 30 Minutes away. There were no dressed up people like when I was in Taylor Swift Concert, they only wear Coldplay shirt, everyone seems to know where their entrance located. I started a conversation with a girl, she thought I was looking for a ticket, I said “no, no, I have ticket, I just don’t know where to get in”, she’s also another solo rider fella 🙂 let’s explore the Stadion together, her seat is on block 42 at the corner while I’m on block 25 rather the side of the stage, we were kind of pretty much at the front. Lesson learned regarding no need to feel shy anymore, I asked if I can have her number just in case if we want to meet during the Pause in between two Vorband ~ Zoe Wees and Janelle Monae. Aha now I know the concept of opening band haha #Experienced concertgoer.

I “didn’t” know who are they until I heard Zoe sang ‘I don’t want to looooossseeee control’ whatt?? I heard this songs many times in the radio, now I saw who the singer is! Cool! By second act, nicht so meins.

Me and Alina decided to meet up in between Zoe and Janelle because we wanted to go on a bicycle ride or go to Kinetic dance floor. Too bad, none of the security knows about it. I thought there is this bicycle located at the back of the stage just like what I read from the monitor….. didn’t find it…. Pech…. Prior to getting back to our seat, we had a picture together before it gets dark!

On the way here, I had time in Ubahn to check how will I come back to Dortmund, Google Maps didn’t say there are Sonder-U-Bahn. It only shows I need to walk 2,2km to the next U-Bahn Station direction Düsseldorf Hbf. I set an alarm in my phone at what time I should leave. Luckily I informed Alina about it, texted her that I might not be able to see her afterwards due to train schedule, I need to leave earlier. She sent me a screenshot about Merkur Arena website, its written there will be Metro after the show, reconfirm it with the security person, informed Alina back as she also need to catch her train to Köln. Bottom line, we are safe!

Coldplay came out few minutes after 21:00, no epic entrance, they just walk slowly from back / under stage, to the side, going under again to the stage, kicking off with Higher Power. I’m very happy with my seat although still can’t see him haha only from Leinwand.

While he sang Paradise, there was a moment when he sang earlier than the music, he proceed with “Shit, I fucked up, sorry, repeat again paradiseee ooooo ooooo ooooo” Also on Human Heart when he just started “boys don’t cry” one audience screamed woooww, he was directly “stop stop, this song is not a cheering song, it should be a sad song, that took me off, sorry guys that was unprofessional from me, Guy whenever you ready”

Remember the alarm I set to leave early? forget to delete it, it rang during Hymn for The Weekend song. I said to my self, scheiß egal! wenn ich auf der Straße schlafen muss, dann schlafe ich auf der Straße, ain’t no way I’m missing this concert! I can see myself sitting + sleeping in a hotel lobby #Mentally prepared.

The interaction between Chris and audience is a lot. He read some signs then choose one of them, bringing them to the stage while singing Everglow. He was so funny saying to the girl who clearly still in shock “You don’t need to sing, that’s my job, you just need to be here with me”. When he sang Something Just Like This, he took the security guy to be on the stage. Next, cameramen pointed at some people: little daughter, little boy on his father’s shoulder, mother & daughter, a couple, Chris sing a song referring to them. It was amazing! His involvement was so real.

On one song we need to wear the 3D glasses where you can see love when the lights are on, just like stated on it “Look with Love”. Everybody went wild on The Sky Full of Stars. I’m sorry Chris, I know you wanted us to put our phone down but towards the end of the song I need to take out my phone, it was just so spectacular!

The concert finished around 23:15 ish, a total stupefying two hours indeed; balls, lighting, armbände, fireworks etc WOW WOW WOW!

Seems I unlock a new hobby, which Concert should I visit next? 😉

My two cents: please try your best to watch Coldplay concert, you’ll guaranteed to have an adventure of a lifetime.

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Well, well, well, 365 days of waiting for moment of truth to finally find out if I got scammed or not #It’s been a long time coming.

I am so lucky to have Swifties like Sophie & Chantal who tried their best looking out for one more standing tickets on Wednesday for me. In between classes, they refreshed the fansale page, constantly looking at their phone three days in a row yet couldn’t get it. At this moment, I’m thankful about my purchase from Viagogo no matter how conflicting it was.

First timers to ever go to a Concert in my life + a solo rider, resulting in have to be there earlier. When I reached Gelsenkirchen Hbf, blimey! Numberless Swifties with their glitter, jewel, cowboy boots, pretty dresses. Didn’t need to find direction, they all will guide me.

Arrived around 16:30 getting pumped up by Swiftscenery at Veltins Arena. There are merch stands, didn’t have any intention to buy as my Ticket is my only Beitrag to her economy 😉 Saw many people having a “key chain” of friendship bracelet. Aaaa me want, you suppose to be exchanging, how can I exchange when I don’t even have any, lass es so sein.

Slowly walking to my East entrance. The feeling when you see Taylor’s Eras Tour Stage was unspeakable. This exact massive stage was the one I was seeing from her movie or Instagram’s feed. Now, you and I ended up in the same room, at the same time #Gobsmacked!

Of course I know nothing about Opening Band, silly me thinking she will really start singing at 18:15 who was the Opening Band? have no idea either. When the clock start at exact 18:15, Paramore came out! I wish I know more of their songs other than The Only Exceptions.

I texted Sophie at what time Taylor come out, she said before 20:00, Lady Gaga song’s Applause is the sign. I was waiting on the toilet when I heard it, reconfirm with the girl behind me, we both screamed AAA! what to do? I need to pee + I’m on the first row now, did it fast then runnnnnnn!

Made it on time! Woghhh! Can’t miss the iconic Taylor’s appearance. Miss Americana and The Heart Break Prince was a totally perfect entrance. Everyone was standing including me ~ not on my seat though, somewhere on the barricade.

Eras after Eras, I “dressed” like a Lover Era, need to have a picture of it! See, colorful shirt hahaha. It was grandiose to sing around with 60.000 Swifties. After she sang Champagne Problem, she took in some time to see her crowds, they were screaming like hell, my eardrums hurts!

I stand for full hour on her first performance ~ still not in my seat ~ in the end the security asked us to return to our seat, here I am back to the top of the Stadium. I can’t see her either way, only from the screen. I can see where she is, what clothes she’s wearing etc. Gave up on seeing her face directly, tried to see who are the VIP guests, if Travis Kelce is there? Forget it, I was too much far up.

Her concert finished exactly like how I remember it from her movie. Everyone come out swiftly. Since I was there alone, need to rely on my sense of direction which I lost when it’s dark. Luckily I also met a solo-riders named Charlotte from Bremen. We looked for a way to Hbf together, what more surprisingly is she stays at Dorint Hotel! Yeayyy close to my place!

Charlotte suggested to took the Ubahn to other direction then get off, this way we avoid so much crowd. We were not the only one who think about it. Later, we met with 2 Düsseldorfer Swifties Nik from Nikoulausdorf and Shine, too bad I didn’t have a picture with them. I wanted too since he gave me my first Friendships Bracelet “Yes, Instead of No”. Out of my behavior, I was too shy to ask for a photo….

A tinny surprise is I met Larissa on the Eurobahn to Dortmund, never expected it. I asked her friendship bracelet, I took where she has two, that is “Evermore”. After missed the photo chance with Nik & Shine, wouldn’t let it happened with Charlotte, shake it off, should’ve do it earlier where we have better lightning. Ach well, at least for some memory 🙂

This whole experience is enchanted, maybe for next time I should’ve buy either Standing ticket or VIP…..honestly, it has to be VIP, I’m not getting any younger 😉

It was rare, I was there, I remember it all too well

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