I arrived at Lubeck after a train ride from Hamburg early in the morning. <<Other than being an attractive and historic city to visit, Inka and I had arranged to meet after her work>>
Lubeck
Holsten Gate (built in 1464) came into view I walked towards the old centre of the Hanseatic city of Lubeck. Together with the Lubeck's old city centre, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Offically known as the Hanseatic city of Lubeck, it is a city in Northern Germany. I walked to the historic old town, located on a densely built-up island (it is Germany's most extensive UNESCO World Heritage Site).
There are six church towers surpassing 100 metres in height, making Lubeck the city with the highest number of tall church towers in the world. It has been nicknamed City of the Seven Towers. I walked through the city taking in the sights of the city, as well as the churchs and towers, namely:- Lubeck Cathedral, St. Mary's, St James, St. Peter's and St. Giles.
I walked up to the Hanesmuseum to enjoy the river view. While making my way to the riverfront, I wandered through the alleys and turned at each corner to look at some of the charming courtyards.
The weather was sunny and pleasant and many were sunning and enjoying themselves by the river. Lubeck is indeed a charming and delightful city that's worth visiting.😊😘
((Quote from Museum Holstentor : The considerable inclination and sag of the Holstentor's south tower is caused by insufficient foundation during the construction period in the 15th century))
Meeting a friend again
We met along the riverfront (we recognised each other almost immediately, and she was cheerful as before). As we walked toward the car park, she pointed out that the Holsten Tower is also called the leaning tower of Lubeck because of the inclination and sag in the South Tower << I wouldn't have noticed it...😊>>
Catch-up
We arrived at her apartment <<she had bought strawberry cake, and suggested having tea at her place 😋>> located in a nice neigbbourhood. It is cosy apartment with a lovely patio and a beautiful restored historic ceiling. <<When we last met in Shanghai, she chatted about how the contractor discovered lion-head carvings (possibly historic) after the false ceiling was removed during a renovation. Qualified for historic preservation fund, she restored all the remaining carvings>>
As the weather was still chilly, we had tea in the dining room instead of the patio. We chatted whatever came to our mind; holidays, current politics, people, events, etc. It was an enjoyable teatime of tasty cake, well-brewed tea and great companionship.😍
Dinner
Before we knew it, it was about time for dinner. She suggested a seafood dinner and I counter-offered to go for a chinese dinner <<an irresistible counter offer and I also get to have a Chinese meal before the cruise 😋>>
She remembered a chinese restaurant that she used to go to and hope that it would still be open for business. <<Restaurant China Town is still striving, and I found out that the lady-boss came from Shanghai and been in business for years>>
She mentioned that she would be going for a morning swim in the Baltic seaside the next day; I was surprised that the Baltic Sea is nearby and that there's a seaside beach for swimming <<Ignorantly, associating beaches with tropical countries 😳>>
We quickly packed the unfinished food and hurriedly made our way to her car to drive to the seaside 😍<<She probably could sense my amazement and curiosity, and said that we could still able to get there before sunset and for me to catch the train back to Hamburg😘>> .
((Now I know, Lubeck is the southwestern-most city on the Baltic Sea, and the closest point of access to the Baltic from Hamburg))
Driving to Niendorf - Baltic seaside
It took less than an hour to drive to the beach. Along the way we passed an area that used to be part of former East Germany, with some of the original red-bricked traditional houses still by the road.
We drove through a long stretch of road with trees on both sides forming a canopy of varying shades of green. Framed by the setting-sun, the vista was tranquil yet extraordinary, exuding calm and serenity <<'forest-bathing' - a term aptly coined by her >>
Niendorf - Baltic Seaside
We arrived at the seaside by late evening(~8:45pm) before the sunset. There were still beachgoers and others walking on the beach, and the beach-road was lined with eateries, shops and hotels <<I had assumed that it would be a stretch of rather deserted beach😬>>
((Now I know, Niendorf is a seaside resort town located on Germany's Baltic coast))
We were across the sea from Denmark. The weather was rather chilly, and the water was cool(not cold) as I dipped my finger into it <<as suggested by her, and she would be swimming in this beach the next day>>.
Unlike umbrellas (for rent in tropical beaches), there were many enclosed cubicles for rental on the beach.
<<Although not a beach-goer myself, I was thrilled to visit a beach resort in Northern Europe 💖>>
Back to Hamburg
She stopped at a train station for me to take an earlier(and less expensive) train to Hamburg. Just as we walked towards the platform, the train arrived. Being rather anxious to get back to Hamburg, I dashed for the train. As we continued to wave to one another before the train moved, a passenger pressed the open-door button. We gave each other a big hug before she stepped back onto the platform. <<I was truly thankful >>.
Since I did not buy the train ticket before boarding, I tried to buy the ticket with my phone and I got a payment error. Just then I got a text and an attachment of the train ticket from her. <<Thank You 😌>>
I arrived at the hotel ~11:30pm and got a text that I had left my cap in her car!!! <<How careless of me, and I needed the cap for my two-month cruise 😔>>. She further texted that one of the her friends would be in Hamburg to attend a conference, and she could pass my cap to her. <<The conference was in a hotel near the Platin, ~30 minutes from my hotel. What a relief! >>
The next day
I did a pleasant walk to the hotel and her friend passed a blue paper bag to me.
<<Thanks Susanne for bringing the bag from Lubeck to Hamburg 😊>>
Other than my cap, there was also a gift of a figurine. Even though it was a short get-together, it was truly a very memorable trip, and more importantly a great time reconnecting with a friend 💗.
Our friendship over the years
1991 - I first heard of Lubeck when I met Inka in Melbourne. We were both queuing for the day's return ticket <<Haha, those were the days>> for 'Phantom of the Opera' and started to chat with each other.
Then, somehow she came to Singapore after her Melbourne trip and stayed with me for a few days (weeks?). <<and we most probably chatted and laughed(?), she tried durian without knowing it, went diving in Tioman with my friend, and helped me write German letters to my Swiss friend, etc>>. After that, we corresponded through letters but lost contact.
~2002 We met again after my conference in Berlin (Somehow, we had upgraded to 'electronic contacts'.). She drove from Lubeck to Berlin to have a day trip and dinner together, and we gifted each other a CD with songs. Then we lost contact again.
~2010(?) She travelled to China with her friends, and extended her stay in Shanghai (I was then in Shanghai). After which we lost contact again.
~2025 Visting Lubeck and contacting Inka came to my mind when I was planning the Hamburg trip. <<Shall I text her? Would it be a awkward situation for her? Is her contact still valid?>>. I pondered for a few days, then I finally texted her. <<... no response. Maybe, she has changed mobile number? Or ? Never mind...😐>> ... and she texted back!
~ 13 June : All the lingering uncertainty and doubts at the back of my mind to contact and meet her again vanished when we met each other (again) after more than 10 years.
Although we've known each other for years, we've only a few rare meetups. However, still a friend to cherish, and a continual friendship to treasure <<I will keep in contact with her 💖>>
Friend and Friendship
I pondered over the meaning of friend/friendship after our get-together again. I googled for a quick definition.
((Main extract of AI overview -
Friend is someone who provides unwavering support, genuine care and a sense of trust and loyalty. They are reliable, honest, and accept you for who you are, offer a safe space for vulnerability and celebrating your success)) <<AI has set a high standard for being a friend>>
<<Friend or not? - Someone with similar outlook, feel at ease with to chat to (no need to 'weather-forecast - good/bad mood'), and as friend mutually😊>>
((Main extract of AI overview -
Friendship is a bond built on mutual trust, loyalty and support, extending beyond casual interactions, characterised by a deep sense of understanding, empathy and a willingness to do through thick and thin))
<<Friendship? - A friend over time, accepting within tolerance limit any incompatibility of each other (no one is perfect or the best?) >>
Thoughts
Making a friend can be rather inexplicable. Nonetheless, being able to know someone and to become a friend is a blessing. A short text or chat or joke or drink with a friend can make a perfect day 😊, and hopefully continue a delightful friendship too; warm, cosy and taking nothing for granted
And thank you, all my friends 😍💖💕