Mein Geburstag

Hey hey! Thank you all for the well wishes!! Never been so active in Facebook before. Spent 7 hours sitting in front of my computer this morning thanking everyone for their well wishes! Slept for more than 8 hours the previous night, felt soo good! However my day was kinda half gone by the time i stepped away from my computer.

Hopped onto my bike, destination, Alliance Arena. Always wanted to make a trip there, but my ticket does not allow such far travel, thus been waiting for this day for quite sometime already. First destination was actually my language school. Wanted to find out the route to school so that i can cycle there when my ticket expires in 10 days, got lost and reached Englisher Garden instead. So cycled through the englisher Garden. On there way there, there were hardly anyone on the streets. Was really puzzled since the weather was awesome. My "puzzledness" soon unraveled when i arrive at Englisher Garden. My God, think the entire munich was there Sunbathing!! The entire green patch of field was covered by half naked guys and some bikini girls women and ladies. (Soon hehe). Park was full of people cycling, tram pushing, dog walking, or simply strolling. Continued through the park in the northern direction, where the Arena is. Wanted to cycle along the isar river, which heads north, but somehow the tracks twisted and turned and the isar river was longer in sight. Heck i just continued in my "supposed" north. 2o mins and about 6 km later, i noticed the beer garden which i saw 20 mins ago. Thats when i realised that i have been cycling in a big circle in the northern part of Englisher Garden. AHH!!!!! Undeterred, i perserved and moved on. Soon park track became streets, vaguely remembered the streetname, Sonderfiere Strasse. Soon street became mudpath in the forest. Thankfully after 2 mins of navigation, i managed to exit the forest and found myself a gravel path (like that in machrichite) shit i still can't spell that. And the isar river was next to it. Continued for the next 6 km before reached a crossroad, where a signboard stood. Garching was on it. 8 km away it says. Garching is where the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is. So i thought it would be a much meaningful trip. Changed my destination. From google earth, it didn;t look too far away. From gooogle earth.... I must once again mention that the path was GRAVEL path. So its 8km worth of ass rattling vibrations. Stopped at a few points to take pictures. The view of the Isar river was too good to be missed. Instead of bare trees and branches, the vegetation lining the river bank is now blooming in the Spring colour. Took a few short breaks for my skinny legs, dun wanna break them, considering that i have not exercise for the entire past month. When i finally saw Garching, i was half dead, with my arms and legs numb, my butt sore and my shoulders aching like hell. Lugging along a 1 litre nalgene, a 22 eurs lock and a big camera was not the best idea in such cross country trips. Garching however, i must say, is the prettiest cosy little town i have seen so far. The evening sun casted a golden shine on the houses, making them soooooooooo pretty. With the flowers blooming everywhere, trees blossoming and the aroma of BBQ in the crisps cool air, it was really dreamy. i have immediately fell in love with this little town. Got a little lost in the town as i didn't have any bearings. So checked with a guy where the university is. One thing that i have definitely made an improvement on, is asking for directions and understanding what they reply. After a big thank you, i moved on. heading in the direction he gave, after making a few turns, i pretty much lost my bearings again. But heck with a bicycle, its so much easier to get around. Got lucky and spotted a hostel. which i have seen in Google earth. In fact, i spotted the audi shade, just like what it was in Google earth! Got back my bearings. Since it was such a pleasant day, most students were out in their yard BBQing. Made me soooo hungry. haha. 2km later, i finally arrived at the University. It was practically devoid of life. Hardly anyone in sight. All the better, leaving me a quiet, windy and cool moment to absorb in the aura of my dream university. After taking a few shots, i headed back to Garching. By this time, i was tired, sore and hungry. Do not know why i have sudden cravings for Ice creams, so headed to the town center, hoping to find an ice cream stall open. Prayed hard since it was a Sunday. The ice cream here in Germany is really really really awesome. ok so how do i know where is the town center? Well in Munich usually there will be a very very tall pole at the town center. Spotted that and cycled in that direction. While waiting for the light to turn green, i caught sight of an ICE CREAM! its a 3D signboard that is usually place infront of the stall, and there were people sitting outside enjoying ice cream!!! I seriously needed some sugar at that moment. Bought one cone, Amanera again! haha. Ice cream never tasted so good. Went back to order another cone, Mango this time. Its a thousand times better than the Swensens Mango icecream back in Singapore. Couldn't stop smiling to myself throughout eating the icecream. Headed back to munich after my gratifying ice cream. The way back was worse than the way to Garching, although the route was same. Had to push myself as the sky was getting dark and i have to get home to cook myself the birthday dinner. Averaged 22 km/h and got home at 8. By the time i arrived, i could hardly get off my bike. Strange thing or not, i did not perspire! Total distance covered, 65km. Put that into perspective, its cycling from woodlands to bukit timah and back. Twice that.

So my birthday dinner, too tired to cook any rice or anything complicated, thus chose pork cutlet with fries and coleslaw and of course with Pepsi. Turned out really good! Convenient and tasty. Stupidly burnt my finger while trying to flip the fries in the oven, when i brushed my finger againt the red hot heating element in the oven. Its one thing you SHOULD NEVER do. Now i got a line across my index finger. Well, that pretty much sums up my 21st birthday.

Not as exciting as how others would celebrate, but i find it very meaningful to do what i love in such a beautiful country. Cycling 30km to my dream university simply made this a special day. After all, its all about enjoyment isn;t it? Well i may have not received any presents this year, but i did get the best birthday gift ever, this full of excitment, surprises, adventures, friendship and learning trip to Germany. Thank you to my mum and dad, who made this possible.