Alone but not Lonely--2004/11/06-07 Trier

Waving goodbye to the dignified Luxembourg City, less than one hour later, I arrived Trier, one of the oldest cities in Germany that is famous for its ancient Roman architectures and historical remains. Also, Karl Marx was born here and his birthplace is now a museum of his life records attracting tourists all over the world. As for me, the reason why I come here is for my keypal’s rock-and-roll concert. It will start in the evening. So I decide to visit the most famous site in Trier first: Potra Nigra, the so-called “Black Wall” in English.

Following the evident signs from the station, after about ten minutes walk I saw the ancient wall standing on the side of the street. The tall and black “Potra Nigra” was once the gate of a Roman fortress that is considered as the best-preserved structure from 2nd-century. Frankly speaking, I do not particularly favor ancient things. Therefore, after taking some pictures, I jumped on a city tour “train” at the last minute, thinking that I might know the historical sites better through the city guide. We did go around the city and witnessed the antique architectures that stand side by side with the modern houses. What is interesting here is that I never feel strange about this city design but feel interested at how they handle the juxtaposition so well. It gives quite a different feeling to the whole city, intermingling the ancient elements with the modern scenes in the same space. So far, I started to ponder on the so-called “aesthetic feelings”(美感, not sure of its English expression..anyone has opinions?) in the whole European cultural sphere.

While thinking about these issues, I was searching for my hostel too. (Amazingly this time I have accurate sense of direction.) Here I met two great companions in my story in Trier: “Traveller” Debbie and “Archaeologist” Geert. Debbie is from Australia and impressed me with sharp self-introduction: hi, I’m Debbie and I’m a “traveler!” Moreover, after Geert, a tall and acute Dutch man, joined the chat, I was thrown into their rapid exchange of musical information and discussion on many other things that I was not so familiar with before. (I often feel lost while chatting with these people and reflect on my previous life experiences.) Alright, since I was going to join a rock-and-roll concert, “Let’s go!” Hence, my new friends and I went to the evening concert together!!

We had a crazy evening. The band played very well and aroused the “hot” atmosphere in the small pub. It was “heavy” (at least to me) alternative rock-and-roll. My two new enthusiastic friends soon got into chats with the players since they love the music they played and I, feeling less pressured, enjoyed the “real” chat with my long-term keypal. Although I do not prefer this genre of music, I admire his insistence on making music and his devotion to their own works. They all have different careers in the daytime, yet they strive to maintain their interests and dreams of being “another person” in their lives.

Later on, when I was reviewing my trip, something just came to my mind: I was taking a casual stroll and having meaningful conversations with a French gentleman in the beautiful Luxembourg City in the morning and joining a crazy evening concert in a local German pub with all the people enjoying a glass of beer. How colorful life it is!!

The next morning, since Debbie needed to take the morning train to Paris, Geert and I woke up early and had the “last” cup of coffee and hot bread with her in our homey kitchen. As usual we casually talked about everything and then we sent her to the station. We hugged and said “see you later.” True, “see you later,” as lonely travelers, who knows where we might bump into each other somewhen…really, WHO KNOWS?!

Due to the lack of money, Geert decided later on to drive straight back to Holland. Before he left, he showed me his collection from Trier—the ancient coins, bullets, stirrups, covered with soil—and explained to me about their history; meanwhile showed me the equipment he used to detect these things underground. He is really an “archaeologist!” Though not having an academic degree on Archeology, he has more enthusiasm than some of the “scholars” I would say. I could not forget the “heat” I felt when he firmly suggested me, “Ting-Yu, go and see the Romanique brűe (Ancient Roman Bridge), you can’t miss it!” Didn’t have to look into his sparkling eyes, I could feel the zeal by his firm tone. Therefore, instead of visiting the unfamiliar Marx museum, I turned to Mosel River, hoping to witness the ancient and functional (‘til nowadays) Roman bridge.

The two-thousand-year old Roman Bridge, which hangs across Mosel River, still functions nowadays. While I myself walked smilingly across the bridge, I felt calm, yet something slightly different from my previous experiences observing the “ancient” materials. Watching all the cars and people walking across the bridge to the other side of Trier, I witnessed its lasting function and the historical value. What makes it worth visiting? What makes us feel that some places or spots that we must view? I know I shall find a concrete answer in the following journey.

Walking along the riverbank, I was memorizing the people and experiences I encountered in these two days and moreover, enjoyed the freedom of traveling alone in Europe. People are various and through the talks with them I am learning different attitudes and other perspectives of thinking. So hard to describe, yet they are so real.

It was almost time for my train back to Leiden. Heading to the station, strangely I did not feel any reluctance to leave. I know I will miss this place and the people I encountered here, yet perhaps I have learnt part of the “let it go” attitude and know that our journey will always continue, in every part of life, and everywhere in this world.

Life is a journey, and on the other hand, the journey is part of our lives. Just let it be natural.


recorded/Nov.20, 2004