After a long journey across time zones, we finally touched down in Augsburg, and I don’t think the word exhausted even begins to cover it. Between the jet lag, being a little under the weather, and knowing we have early mornings ahead of us every day, it’s definitely going to take some adjusting. What made things even trickier was that we couldn’t check into the hotel until 3 PM. After two flights and over 24 hours without a proper shower or change of clothes, all of us were feeling pretty rough.
Despite the exhaustion, we were warmly welcomed by Elisabeth and Johnathan, who took us to grab a bite to eat and get our bearings in the city. It was a thoughtful way to ease into our new surroundings. We walked through cobblestone streets lined with history and even visited some old churches – quiet, ornate spaces that seemed to echo the weight of centuries. Later in the day, we had a guided tour of the city, which helped paint a broader picture of Augsburg’s deep-rooted past and its place in the present.
Dinner was scheduled with the whole group, and I got to try schnitzel and spätzle for the first time. To be completely honest, I didn’t love it, but maybe I was just too tired, or maybe I just really miss Chipotle already, but it was decent enough. I’m definitely keeping an open mind when it comes to trying more local dishes during this trip.
As for my first impressions: they’re actually pretty strong. Even through the haze of exhaustion and culture shock, I can already tell there’s something special about this place. The pace is different, it’s much quieter, especially since it’s Sunday and most things seem to be closed or winding down early. I’m used to the constant motion and noise of larger cities, so the stillness was a bit jarring at first. But I’m curious to see how things shift tomorrow when the city wakes up on a weekday. This is just day one, after all, and I know I’ve only seen a tiny sliver of what Augsburg has to offer. I’m hopeful the next few days will bring more energy, more connection, and more of those unexpected little moments that make travel worth it.
