All the people who know me and know me well. They surely know that Football is my religion, my love, my confidante and my life. One country that loves its beer and football is Germany. It’s the home country for European club giants like Bayern Munich and Borrusia Dortmund. My next story is related to a person from the beautiful city of Bonn. Yes, he is a German and I could not wait to start my footballing conversations with him. He was traveling from North India, embarking the ancient culture of this mystic land. He traveled all the way from Delhi to Jaipur, moving on to Goa and Cochin. Then came the day, where he was about to reach my backyard, my home (Bangalore). I was better prepared this time, having learnt much from my Swedish experience. We connected via Facebook before he came to India.

On a cold morning, my most awaited guest arrives. He is somewhere close to my place, I go pick him up and we get back home. I was connected with him all throughout his travel in India. So we hit it off the moment we started conversing. We spoke for a good 30 minutes and I couldn’t wait to divert the topic to Football and ask him, which was his favorite club. Surprisingly, there was a great American twist in the tale. He is a Baseball player and just loves Baseball. He likes watching American football and even follows Basketball. Now, where was football, European football. I was repeatedly asking myself, from when did people started playing Baseball in Germany, but to my surprise they do. They do play a lot of Baseball and even have their domestic league. I would have never got to know that if I hadn’t met, the one and only Simon Reh. He is one of the nicest guys I have ever met, No No let me rephrase. He is the nicest guy I have ever met. The way he puts himself across to others is just perfect. A true gentleman, indeed. I have always taken a lot of interest in knowing about German culture, and Simon opened new avenues of information that an Indian history book couldn’t provide. Simon had adapted so well to the Indian culture. His keen interest in knowing more about Hinduism had left me astonished. This guy surely did his homework well in Germany. He had experienced sleeping beside buffalos, taking a dump on traditional Indian toilets, getting cheated by the Tuk-Tuk drivers, experiencing a rainy Goa. Yes, he had experienced it all. He was living the statement “Unity in Diversity”, which is one of the up-most held virtues of Indian culture.

I felt obligated to make his Indian traveling experience, the most memorable one. I knew he had seen the cultural side of India, however there is a modern side to this country as well. We went to one of the most classiest party in town along with few friends. Simon, was surprised to see this side of India. A lot of moolah was splashed out that night, Jagershots were downed and we felt nothing but alcohol running down our bloodstream. This was the Indo-German collaboration to raise havoc that night and I swear on God, we did. Simon, was amazed to meet a lot of Germans, French and Englishmen at the party. This was just the beginning, we stormed two different house parties and more alcohol was consumed. The mutual understanding we shared, I have not been able to share that with people I have known for years and years. I guess, few people are just meant to bond, just like a Covalent Bond. For the 5 days he stayed at my place, he was my German Wikipedia. How could two young guys not discuss about girls. Yes, we literally did our PHD on women, to be specific Indian and German women. Unfortunately, we never reached a conclusion. We were living our lives to the fullest.

Now came the time to bid adieu. I could not show it on my face, but I really didn’t want this new friend of mine to leave. I wanted him to stay here for few more days, we could do so much more. I could have shown him so much more this incredible country has to offer. Well, that day I made a promise to myself. I’m going to Germany next year, and the day I land there I know where to head. Simon is a great ambassador for his country. He is the face of Germany for me. I can’t wait to travel to Germany and meet all the amazing people of this amazing country. He is my German connection 😉

Wir sehen uns bald in Deutschland !!!