Day 21: Day off

I need to go shopping. Just past Rathenow (see Day 17), my right outdoor sandal broke, a strap attachment is torn. I like cycling with sandals, it's comfortable in the sun and rain doesn't bother me (as long as it's somewhat warm). I could still cycle with it, but it looked funny for walking. I buy many things at Globetrotter, they still offer advice there. There are even 2 branches in Hamburg. While I'm there, I'll also get an ultra-light shoulder bag for going out, a sun cap (apparently summer is coming back next week), and new cycling gloves. My old ones are falling apart.

Then I have lunch with a second cousin (our grandfathers were brothers, our families used to visit each other regularly). We haven't seen each other for over 40 years, but it felt like it was just a few days ago. Lots of emotions...

Then I need a new 'going out' pair of pants, the old one made a 'snapping' sound twice. I fixed it temporarily twice, but the next 'snapping' will come.

Meanwhile, the rain has come back. I take the subway, walk around aimlessly through the neighborhoods. Impressive is the Nikolai Church, the 'counterpart' to the Kaiser-Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin. Destroyed in the war except for the tower. There's an elevator to go up, and normally I would have gone up, but not in this rain...

Finally, I end up at the Elphi, treat myself to a muffin and a peppermint tea there. The Elphi is always impressive, or simply awesome. The picture shows the Elphi from the inside (visitor platform).

Then I've had enough, I take the bus back to the accommodation, and maybe I'll still make it to the sauna. But blogging comes first...