To Nuremberg: A Letter to the City I fell In Love And Will Forever Be

To the City, I adore so much: Nuremberg, Germany

I am usually independent. I want to be independent. I always look for a place where I can feel an enough freedom; either in a park, in a coffee shop, in a mountain, in a town, in a province or anywhere where my feelings lead me to; Nuremberg, Germany

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In August 2014, I had my first ever out of the country trip; or even first ever out the continent trip. Where to? In Germany! It was a trip that supposedly to refresh my mind from almost six months of non-stop work for a project to Typhoon Haiyan affected communities in the Philippines. I am in a great desire of a break, a long break. There was no detailed itinerary for my 21-day stay in Nuremberg, Germany, so it ended that I was not even out in Bavaria (a state where Nuremberg belongs). I did not regret that. I am not regretting that. I will not regret that. It gave me the chance to realize and choose the city where I will forever be in love.

Was it love at first sight? It might be. When I first stepped into the city center of Nuremberg, there was a huge curiosity. It was not curious as a traveler or as a tourist; it was a curiosity of someone who is looking for a place to retire to. Yes, I might be too young to think about retirement stuff but the phrase, “Yes! I finally found it!” ran to me while seeing the people, the food, the establishments, and the environment which is inviting me to explore it more. From that very moment, I told myself, “Yes, I fall in love and will forever be with you, Nuremberg.” I have no idea on how to perfectly show my affection to you, so let me do it on the way I used to, through writing a letter.

Dearest Nuremberg (Nürnberg),

Thank you for existing and letting me see your different wonders …

Thank you for recovering as fast as you could after you lean down from war. Without your rapid development, how could I see your charm? You have a famous yet classified as a humble castle, compare to others in Germany.  It was a location where former people show how powerful they are. Now, it serves as a remarkable venue of people, wanting to see the gloom and beauty of yesterday’s events.  The Imperial Castle is a witness of the Word War II – the eyes of how people lost their assets and even their loved ones. Thank you for proving that all my assumptions are wrong. I thought you are just a city full of high buildings which replaced the trees’ space. I thought you are just a modern city where people are all busy passing by now and then. I thought you are just a meeting place where people are talking about how they will be richer. I was wrong. I am wrong. You are a city full of excitement. You are a city full of wonderful contrasts.

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Thank you for the gift of realization. Holding the nightmare of the past, hundred-year old houses are standing together with the newly-built ones in the walk ways or even just in front of me every time I wake up in the morning. It reminds me that past molded the modern life of today.

Thank you for mixing art and family.

Thank you for valuing the works of a Master Painter.

Thank you for giving hope to your residence and your visitors by allowing them to convey their greatest wishes in life. You made a physical symbol that someday, these wishes will turn into reality.

Thank you for offering a magnificent view of a house in the River while people stroll and explore you.

I can’t mention all the wonders I have seen during our time together, but I am sure that the sneak-peek I shared will be enough to make other people fall in love with you too. If they don’t, then they must be a crazy alien!

I do …

I do love the people. I always look at them; I observe them. I use them as my guide on how to enjoy the place where I am. Natives, migrants, and tourists are all treated similarly. Nuremberg, your people, did not judge me by my color, by height, by weight; they just welcomed me fairly and that, I found who and what true people are.

I do like the food. You satisfied all my cravings. Sweet, salty, sour, or spicy. You can all let them touch my picky taste bud. With all your food offering, I discovered that being sexy is if you’re fulfilled to what you ate!

I do appreciate all your assets and do accept your flaws. I know you do not have everything and you are not perfect.  And did not fall in love with you because of your near-to-perfection features. You caught my heart because of the ‘spark’ I felt on the first day I saw you. That spark includes perfections and imperfections.

How I wish …

How I wish I could spend more time with you. That I can fully and continually explore what else you can offer to surprise my curiosity. But as people do, you can come and go. You might go out from my sight but rest assured that your portrait is every day running on my mind.

How I wish I have known you before. Maybe when I met you earlier, I could understand completely what real happiness is. There’s nothing to regret about anyway. Things do come on a perfect time. I met you when I was in need of great relaxation, and you gave me that. I am lucky I knew and know you.

How I wish I could communicate with you more naturally. Bear with the inability to understand what was written around you. I know it can lead to misunderstanding but believe me; I am trying so hard to learn your language so we can talk deeper and clearer next time. And what does the modern world is doing, I can see and communicate with you every day, even if it’s just virtually. A long distance relationship may do.

How I wish you will take care of my heart. You made my heart beats faster when I first saw you. You made me feel how great it is to have something to admire too. You made me inspired to come back in your hands though I know it would be hard. You took care of my heart by letting me feel those emotions, so I wish you will still do the same when time allows us to meet again.

How I wish you will remain as whatever you are now. Though changes are inevitable, I hope that whatever you showed to me will stay as wonderful as they are for my eyes.  Keep your natural beauty!

Nuremberg, Thank you very much! (Vielen Dank) Until we meet again! 

My memories with you will be kept and secured forever as these padlocks do. 

About the Writer

Jessica Ayun is a Freelance Writer who writes if 5-10 cups of coffee a day will be served. She used to work as a TV Researcher but her feet are always curious to step into new places, so she decided to work in the communities of Visayas and Mindanao as a  Documenter for almost two years, through a non-government organization (NGO). She tries to see the “real happiness” in every person she meets and every place she goes to. She will always choose mountains than beaches.

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