Germany – June 20 to June 22, 2025

 After arriving in Siegen, Germany from Switzerland yesterday on June 19, I took a quick nap, and soon enough, some of my cousins showed up, along with my brother, who lives in Dortmund. What followed was a much-needed family night filled with laughter, endless jokes, and unforgettable moments. One of my cousins could easily be the master of comedy and very unique, funny way of storytelling, nonstop laughter throughout the night. Nights like this are rare, and absolutely priceless. We were still talking at 4 a.m, wide awake despite the time.

On June 20, I said goodbye to my family in Siegen and headed to Dortmund with my brother, where more of my family lives. The drive, which used to take just 55 minutes, now takes about an hour and a half due to an ongoing bridge construction that’s been dragging on for years. What used to be a smooth, enjoyable trip has now become a bit of a slow crawl through mostly rural backroads.

After arriving in Dortmund and spending some time catching up with family, including a walk through the garden, where they’ve been growing all sorts of vegetables, we spontaneously decided to head to Bremen. It's about a 2.5-hour drive. Once there, we had lunch with some distant relatives before heading out to explore the charming downtown area and enjoy a riverside walk.

Bremen’s Old Town is the historical and cultural heart of the city in northwest Germany. With its roots going back to the 9th century, the area blends preserved medieval architecture with modern urban life. One of the main highlights was the stunning Bremen Cathedral, a beautiful example of Gothic architecture dating back to the 11th century. We also saw several costumed performers guiding Old Town history tours and stumbled upon a live public concert where people were enjoying music and drinking beers; yes, public drinking is totally legal in Germany. By the time we wrapped up our walk, it was nearly 10 p.m bedtime was definitely calling.

Distance from Bremen Germany

 June 21 – Langeoog Island, Germany
The next day, we debated whether to visit Hamburg (a 1.5-hour drive) or go somewhere else. As usual, I opened my map app, where I’ve saved over 1,500 places around the world over the past seven years.

While looking, I noticed a few islands I had saved after watching a German film a few years ago called The Black Island. I loved the beautiful landscape in the movie; isolated, raw, and rich with the warmth of nature. Well, I have always preferred nature over visiting a city, and therefore, we decided to visit Langeoog Island.

“Langeoog” means “long island” in German, and it’s one of the seven populated East Frisian Islands in the North Sea, situated between Baltrum and Spiekeroog Islands. The drive took about an hour and a half. We arrived in the coastal town of Bensersiel around 10 a.m., where we boarded a ferry to the island. Round-trip tickets were €33 and included the short train ride on the island. The ferry ride took about 40 minutes.

The landscape, just like in the film, was peaceful and distinctive. While I’ve never been to the Mesopotamian Marshes in Iraq, from what I’ve seen in photos, Langeoog's scenery reminded me of those wetlands: shallow, quiet waters, fresh air, and the relaxing sea breeze. The island is part of the Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vast mudflats and coastal biodiversity. We had hoped to see seals, as the area is known for them, but unfortunately, we didn’t spot any, a perfect excuse to come back.

Once we arrived, we hopped on a small train that took about 15 minutes to reach the beachside of the island. The beauty of this place was immediate and striking. Most visitors used bicycles to explore, which are easily available for rent. This might’ve been my first time in a car-free place, and I loved it. There were many hiking trails, but due to limited time, we chose to stroll along the beach and enjoy the breeze of the North Sea. oh, not to mention my first time seeing a blue jellyfish (Zoo or aquarium does not count).

The beach was lively, families and kids playing, others sunbathing, and a group playing volleyball so enthusiastically that their cheers echoed all over. Time flew by, and before we knew it, it was time to head back. On our way to the train, we took plenty of photos, especially with the lighthouse in the background. I also learned that many German schoolchildren visit Langeoog for field trips, my sister did, back when she was in primary school. The ferry ride back was as peaceful and warm.

By the time we got to the car, it was nearly 6 p.m., and we were starving. We waited to eat until we reached Bremen, where we found a Middle Eastern restaurant. The food took a while to arrive, but it was absolutely worth the wait, delicious.

The drive back to Dortmund stretched after such a long, full day. We got home right at midnight. My brother had already booked my train ticket to Frankfurt Airport. Yes, my return flight to the U.S. was the next day, June 22, and I’d have to leave by 5 a.m. to catch the train.

June 22, 2025 – Returning to the U.S.
Maybe I slept for 30 minutes; maybe less. But at least I got a bit of rest. Sometimes, it’s just impossible to shut down the brain.

At 5 a.m., my brother drove me to the train station, and I arrived at Frankfurt Airport around 8 a.m. The train ride was smooth, with several stops but no transfers. I managed to nap a bit and felt recharged by the time I reached the airport.

My flight was scheduled for 11 a.m., but it took me two hours to reach the gate. I passed through border control twice, got lost once, and even had to take a bus. Airports are definitely not my favorite places.

By noon the same day on Sunday, June 22, I was in Denver, Colorado. My flight to Lincoln, Nebraska, was delayed two hours, and I already had a four-hour layover. But finally, finally, I made it home to Lincoln by 9 p.m.  As usual, Sad to leave, but good to be back.