Day 2,158 of traveling.
Total: 21 years of bad _e_.

McDonald coffee and croissant egg sandwich. Left Laura's place with cool sunday morning music and the train station with a heavenly choir. Happy St Jean Baptiste.

Note: I wanted them not to speak English so I could listen to them in German. Like watching tv, I tried to decipher their convos, I picked certain ideas, even knew Laura was describing my photography of models and celebrities and at one point, she continued the conversation to me, looked at me and forgot that I didn't speak German. Fly on the wall!

*****

It's 9:18 am and I just left Stuttgart Germany where I met my cousin for the first time to head to Rottweil to meet my aunt and uncle (her parents).

After sleeping in yesterday for what seemed like an eternity, I feel recovered from Jet-lag. Laura, my cousin was a perfect hostess providing what would be the "American mid west" feel of welcoming hospitality but with that European charm and German efficiency.

After getting used to "making myself feel at home", I had to leave it behind for the next part of the adventure, but not after having collected a compilation of memories, photos and experiences. As I told Ebbe, my new friend, "boys will be boys". Laura didn't understand haha!

Last night, after watching Spain overtake France 1-0 (which means they will face Portugal and Eng/Italy will face Germany. Go Deutschland!), we had some milk honey taste like alcoholic cocktail. Laura was a barmaid before and so knows such cocktails. Ebbe just loves many alcohols from Spain (parents are there now) and gave me tips about Barcelona. Tapas!

While being happy, sharing thoughts about the international language among guys, us three walked through the night clubs district. Relaxing to see few lines, covers and pretentiousness that has soured my joy of clubs back home. We ended up at something that felt like B-sides where Laura knew several people, her favorite place. What an awesome warmup to the days ahead (didn't sleep well because of happy drinks but so worth it!).

Stuttgart has the feel of fast big city but with the small town charm and elegance that is welcoming to the young and young at heart. Very clean and safe. I feel special to visit a city that is rich in history, first TV tower in the world, but that is not one that many people would think to visit. I think the same will be said about Malta and Budapest.

Thank you Laura and Ebbe for making a Canadian boy feel like one of the gang. Ebbe, maybe I'll see him in NYC and Laura (who is like me-concerned about someone's well being) time to come to MTL for those rum and cokes!