Most flights from South America to Asia go via Europe, often even via Frankfurt. So I spontaneously decided to pit stop back home. It would have felt too strange to touch down in Frankfurt and not say hi to my parents and friends.

When booking the flight back home I was quite doubtful whether it would be a good idea to stop by or not, ’cause a lot of travelers told me, that they would not do it. However, once the opportunity to see my parents and friends was there, I decided to give it a try.

And the five weeks have just been awesome. I deeply enjoyed my time back home. Spent a lot time relaxing and enjoying all the little pleasures that I often missed while traveling (my own room, my own bed, my own bathroom, my own tea pot :-)

Aside from that I had such a great time seeing my parents and my friends (at least the ones who live close by).  So many nice phone talks, great meetings, good talks, invitations, shuttle services, parties, …
I also enjoyed doing some Karate again. Basically I was pampered by everybody I met. I can’t list every little pleasure I have gotten from a close one in these weeks. But there have been a lot! Thanks to everybody who contributed in making these five weeks so fantastic! I just have unbelievable parents and friends! Got so much love and joy! Thanks, thanks, thanks!

It would be beyond the scope of this post to list every person whose company I deeply enjoyed during my stay back home, but I want to mention a few, who have been particularly special for me during these five weeks:

• Mum & Dad: Thanks for your arms always being wide open. For all your support throughout my life. For greeting me with such a warm welcome. For the full service program I got from you. For the good talks. All your help. Just for being the best parents in the world!
• Claudi: Big thanks for hearty hugs and good and honest talks. For letting your thesis be your thesis and going for a coffee or beer whenever I dropped by at the university. And for enduring the traffic jam to say goodbye!
• Elli: Thanks for introducing me to the art of drinking delicious Matcha. And for a wonderful Saturday evening. Thanks a lot for your time and the deep talking you have shared with me!
• Torsten: Hm. Where to start? And where to end? Thanks for giving me the key of your flat and offering me your couch so that I could sleep in Darmstadt whenever I wanted to. Helped a lot to enjoy the five weeks. Thanks for having become such a good friend in so short time. For all the encouraging  and open talks with you. Thanks for all my friend!

As I was invited to two weddings I finally decided to stay five weeks in Germany. Thanks Inken & Kai for inviting my to a fantastic weeding (and planning me in on a very short notice!) on my first weekend in Germany. What a great start!
Thanks Melanie & Björn for inviting me to a fantastic weeding on my last weekend in Germany. What a great end!

I am deeply grateful for these five weeks in my life! Thanks to all of you! I MISS you all already! A lot.
Michael