I've learned a lot over the past couple of weeks. First. if you are going on a trip with only one pair of shoes, absolutely wear your most comfortable walking shoes, not the ones that might be more appropriate for an occasion that may or may not happen, Second, there is something kind of cool to navigating in a foreign country where you don't speak or understand any of the language. Until it isn't. Third, better to be on the other level of the train than the party animal German guys. Fourth, if my Airbnb hosts happen to be retired school music teachers, I might find myself with unfettered access to the music room of the house, and the very nice grand piano. 

I had no idea when (for the first time) I booked an Airbnb room, that this provision would be waiting for me; an affirmation (among others) that the decision to take a solo vacation, to a place I'd never been, having nothing to do with being a musician (until it did) was the right one. And so unlike me this was. Although I had previously been issued a passport (for a moving goalposts gig situation that would wind up not happening), I'd never been overseas. And I almost never take vacations, especially solo (I get away to new and most meaningful places/spaces every morning when I sit down at the piano). But I knew someone in Germany who was kindly willing to be a tour guide, and so "alright then!". My first Facebook post upon arriving in Germany read "Who and I and what have I done with myself?"  :)

I excitedly messaged my Airbnb host, Reinar, before the trip, after stumbling upon a reference in the reviews that he and his wife were musicians. He didn't respond, but as soon as I arrived, his feelings about the situation were clear: "When you are ready, I will take you up to the piano". Reinar and his wife, Urlike, are classical musicians, who practice most afternoons, which was lovely to hear on the occasions that I was in the house (downstairs) at the time. And I suppose you could say that I returned the favor most mornings, when taking advantage of the opportunity to engage in my daily routine of opening the space from the piano. And what a gift that was. This was the one component of the trip that I was not looking forward to, as (to risk sounding overly dramatic) my connection to the piano is one of the primary things that keeps me relatively sane. Or at least, more pleasant to be around  ;) 

One benefit to being a performing musician is that travel opportunities are built in, at whatever level one is operating. And though I am primarily a regional performer (these days), I've had the opportunity to perform in most of the states in the US over the last 5 decades. Opportunities to see and experience things that I otherwise wouldn't have had, some of which also become opportunities for little built in vacations/getaways (where someone else pays for the plane ticket). That's how it has always worked (for me), and I'm good with that. I enjoy this life, and the knowledge (or perhaps better, faith) that there will always be the provision I need, whatever that winds up being. All I need to do is make the best contribution I can to what I'm called to be.  

Much gratitude to Urlike and Reinar for allowing me open access to the music room, and the ability (until the last couple of days of the trip, where my schedule didn't mesh) to be myself. On my last opportunity to play the piano, I recorded the little video post embedded above, as a thank you to them. "They Can't Take That Away From Me" is an appropriate sentiment. Many thanks also to Cindy, who generously shared of her time to tour guide a friend of her American mother around northern Germany. A friend, who grew up in Germany and maintains a connection to the country, was excited to find out I was going, and told me that I would have "the trip of a lifetime". My inward reaction at the time was something like "It will be another moment, and I will be in it". But yes, the trip of a lifetime. I don't expect to do anything like this again, and am content with that. I'll keep this all with me in a special place in my heart. And now, very grateful for the unique experience, I return to my regularly scheduled life, and to whatever travels being a musician will take me from here. :)