My first day in Leipzig was a total disaster. Because of the time difference and problems w/ my email, I couldn't make my hotel arrangements. I decided to have lunch, and settled for a place inside the train station because it had started to rain. When I went to pay, there was mass confusion, and they started making me another plate. I panicked and a bottle of beer I had packed in my carry on slipped out of my bag and exploded all over the floor. I was mortified: I paid (probably too much) and I left. I sat down at on a park bench, cleaned off my belongings, and tried to figure out what to do next.
After I calmed down a bit, I went to the Tourist information place and asked for directions. My wife was able to make reservations at the Astral Hotel, which happens to be on the outskirts of town. I walked around the City Centre for a bit, asked a nice woman from Berlin for help (she spoke English), and trusted her a bit too much - more on that later.
I took the Tram, and on the advice of the nice lady from Berlin, got off at the very last stop, and realized I was literally in the country, and nearly outside of Leipzig. At one point I was literally no longer on my map.
I had had enough. I googled the Hotel, got a GPS location, called the front desk and received clearer directions in English.
It took me three hours, but finally found the hotel, which was in a cul-de-sac off the main road. All this time, I was dragging my suitcase across cobblestones, brick roads and dirtpaths, but who's complaining?
The intersection above is not even on the map, and I checked. I'm gonna get a better map.
The hotel itself is fairly nice, surrounded by residences, other abandoned hotels, and industrial businesses. I checked in, had a meal, and went to bed.
And then the dreams came.
I'd rather not share that part, as the images are so disturbing I wouldn't want to frighten younger or older viewers. Suffice to say, I got much less sleep than I usually get, and I'm an insomniac.
Hmmph. I must channeling Bach, Luther and Hildegard all in one day.
Hopefully, day two in Leipzig won't be as tragic.
