When I was sitting in a very smoky pub/B&B in Sandesneben waiting for my food I ended up in a conversation with a nice man. He was watching soccer like the rest of the crowded room so we talked about the game and other things. Later on he asked me if I would like to spend some time with him and his family the next day. They were going to the famous Christmas markets in Hamburg in the late afternoon. Of course I accepted! We were having the best of times and it was so fun to get the stories about the

buildings and such. They really were generous and we had lots of laughs. When we finally said goodbye I thought about what I’ve just experienced. This is an important part of this journey. Strangers that meet and become friends. My new friend Michael Dreßler is not in any way a small man, reaching 211 cm, and he sure has the heart to match that!