Returning to Germany: A Joyful Reunion with Old Favorites

After five years of calling Germany home, we moved away last year, leaving behind a life we’d grown to love. So when we boarded our flight back to Germany for a visit, the excitement was electric. The moment we stepped off the plane in Stuttgart, it felt like slipping into a favorite pair of shoes—familiar, comfortable, and ready for adventure.

First stop: public transportation. Oh, how we’d missed this! The sleek efficiency of the S-Bahn, the punctual trams, the way you can crisscross a city without ever needing a car—it’s a marvel. We hopped on a train from the airport, watching the German countryside roll by, and felt that old rhythm come back. No traffic, no stress, just the hum of the rails and the chatter of locals.

We were surprised by our friends meeting us at the train and we headed back to their beautiful home. We wasted no time diving into the things we’d dreamed about for a year. A long walk in the woods we frequented near the city was pure bliss. The air was crisp, the forest paths quiet except for the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional birdsong. It was a reminder of how Germany’s nature always felt like a little gift—accessible, serene, and right there whenever you needed it.

Food was next on the list, and Germany delivered as always. We beelined for a doner kebab spot we used to haunt, the kind where the meat is shaved just right, the veggies are fresh, and the sauce has that perfect tangy kick. At €4, it was a steal—cheap, delicious, and wrapped in nostalgia. We washed it down with Radlers, that refreshing mix of beer and lemon soda that’s somehow both light and indulgent. Every bite and sip felt like a warm hug from the past.

Reconnecting with friends was the heart of the trip. Over schnitzel and giant mugs of Hefeweizen, we picked up right where we left off, swapping stories and laughing until our sides hurt. The highlight, though, was joining them for a soccer match—VfB Stuttgart at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The energy in the stadium was electric, but what got us was the fans’ chanting. It was relentless, rhythmic, almost primal, and somehow deeply therapeutic. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, singing until our voices gave out, we felt part of something bigger. It was cathartic in a way we didn’t expect.

Leaving Germany again was hard, but this trip reminded us why we’d fallen in love with it in the first place – it’s a country that knows how to live well, and we can’t wait to come back for more.