The journey to Karlsruhe

The train between Uppsala and Karlsruhe ran without major problems. A few minor delays but overall, I arrived on time. Not without hardships, however. The World Council of Churches travel agency booked the ticket. Uppsala - Stockholm - Malmö - Copenhagen - Hamburg - Karlsruhe. Five changes, but I was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for, however, was the fact that the night train between Copenhagen and Hamburg only had seats. In other words, the sleep was not very good. And short because the train left at midnight and arrived at half past seven. But it’s fine. Tonight I shall sleep in a bed.

At Hamburg's central station I was able to eat breakfast and also visit a toilet. For one Euro you get access to a toilet and sink. There is a machine outside, where you put your Euro, and a barrier opens. Like on the subway.

But now a ragged person stood inside the barrier and opened it from the inside and then asked for a Euro. Hmmm! I understand how it works and what it is about. But that's not right. I saw many who hesitated, but what do you do when the need is great? And can you blame a person who creatively acquires a source of income? But it still isn’t right. I looked around for any staff but found none.

Ultimately, it is a symptom o society where some end up on the outside and see no other way out than the one I just described.

Of course, I could have refused to pay and put my Euro in the machine, but the guy didn't seem to want to negotiate.

The rest of the journey went without mishaps and now I have arrived in Karlsruhe.

One of the first persons I met was Damon. We are together responsible for a couple of sessions during the preassembly, when women and men are in sperate groups. We have met many times but only on zoom. It was such a joy to meet Damon face to face.

In the evening I went to the huge dining area and then the rain started to pour. In southern Africa rain means blessing. I take the rain as that. The following video is very short but one can hear the rain clearly.