Trier, Germany ; A visit to the oldest city in Germany

06.08.22-08.08.22

Right after Paris, I embarked on a journey to Trier, the oldest city in Germany. The decision to divert from my original plan to head to Frankfurt was an impromptu and spontaneous one, driven by a simple yet enticing invitation from a friend. What exactly changed my mind? Well, the mere mention of a wine festival that very evening in Trier and a promising cultural immersion was all it took for me to drop my initial plan, without any second doubt. 

The train journey from Paris to Trier wasn’t the most comfortable one, spanning approximately 9.5 hours and involving a total of four train and bus transfers as seen from the screenshot above. Navigating these directions can be a real nerve-wracking experience, especially if you only have less than 10 minutes to catch your next ride. This is why one good tip to bear in mind when traveling in Europe by train is to ensure you have a reasonable buffer of time between connections, unless, of course, you’re a master at maneuvering through these complex transit networks! 😉

Meeting Elise in Metz Ville, while waiting for our connecting bus to Luxembourg, was like stumbling upon a familiar face in a foreign land. The moment I spotted another Asian face, an immediate sense of connection washed over me. Elise, as I had hoped, turned out to be incredibly friendly and approachable. She resides in Trier and has been a long-standing citizen of Germany but originates from Vietnam. Knowing that we shared the same destination, Trier, was a huge relief. That only meant, no more struggling to get the directions alone!

During the ride, our conversation flowed effortlessly, and I was intrigued by her insights into the German education system. I even got to a point whereby I felt comfortable around her and mustered the courage to use my crappy German to engage in a full German conversation with her. Of course, she had a good laugh at my attempts hahaha

After hours of commuting, we finally arrived in Trier. Saying goodbye was undoubtedly one of the hardest parts of our journey. We had forged a connection in such a short span of time, and it’s always challenging to part ways when you meet someone with whom you get along so well, even if it’s just for a short while.

After hours of traveling, we finally reached Trier. We took some pictures together and exchanged numbers, it was really nice of Elise. I look forward to the day when I can revisit Trier and rekindle the friendship that began on that fateful day.

Upon my arrival in Trier, I was greeted by my friend, Nico. We quickly met up with his friend Marcel at his place, where two other individuals, Emilia and Stephen. Nico cooked pesto pasta for all of us and we settled down for dinner while getting to know each other. Following our meal, we gathered for a pre-drink game, the perfect way to kick off the evening and set the mood for the upcoming wine festival. 

The wine festival typically graces the heart of Trier, one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its historical charm and stunning architecture. The event takes place in the city’s picturesque squares or along the banks of the Moselle River, creating a delightful backdrop for the festivities. Held in August, it’s the perfect time to savor the finest wines, soak in the convivial atmosphere, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Be sure to have cash on hand in case you want to buy some wine or food to share with friends. Also to bring along a jacket as it can get a little chiller at night.

The following day, we spent the day in the Altstadt exploring the historic city centre of Trier. It was a quiet yet lovely town but it also marked the first time that I experienced a cultural shock. Where I come from, Sunday is usually the day whereby people flock to malls and shops to spend their day away. However, in Germany, Sunday is the “Ruhetag” (a day of rest), during which most of the shops will be closed, except for restaurants. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed being in Trier and looking around for its unique architects.

I remember how I used to avoid taking any history class all the time. Even during my secondary school days as a science student, when the choice between geography and history came up as one of the humanities electives, I promptly opted for geography as you would have probably guessed. I never really regretted that decision until I started traveling. It’s during my travels that I’ve come to grasp the significance of history and developed a genuine interest in learning about world history. For instance, I chanced upon the Porta Nigra in the Altstadt of Trier, thinking that it was just an  intriguing architectural structure.  However, a quick Google search unveiled its true historical role as a Roman city gate, guarding the northern entry. I was quite intrigued to the point that I recently started watching Roman empire on Netflix. Truly fascinating. 

Through my travels, I’ve learned to nurture a sense of curiosity. You never know; you might find yourself, like me, once a history hater, now reigniting a passion for learning through real-life historical contexts. One good piece of advice to take in is to always remain open-minded and try new things, especially when you are in a foreign land. Let go and immerse yourself in their culture.