Do you remember where you were and what you were doing 10 years ago?
For those of you that are math challenged, it’s a good thing I’m an accountant (hold on, let me get my calculator out…), that would make it 2004! The good old days!! But seriously, how much has your life changed in 10 years? For some that could have been four jobs ago, two kids ago, and a wedding ago.
Oddly, for me, life is almost exactly the same. Literally.
This weekend was a two castle weekend for me. On Saturday, I visited the Nymphenburg Castle, which is in Munich and a 30 minute walk from my apartment. It was very calming to take a stroll around a massive courtyard and I guess what would be considered the back yard. I went and found a picture off of the castle’s website to show how large it is. Yes, there is a biergarten in the backyard.
Then on Sunday, I went with three other coworkers on a wonderful journey to the Neuschwanstein Castle. It’s one of the best known castles in the world. We stayed off the autobahn in order to drive closer to the Alps.
Quick Tangent: I’ve mentioned before that I grew up on a farm. I love when there are tractors and other large equipment driving on the road causing backups. On Sunday this was the case as it has been nice and warm here for a couple of days, and it was hay baling day!! The smell reminded me of home, it was nice. (Side note from a farm kid: If you try to get close to a tractor on a street to try to get it to go faster, the tractor will probably slow down).
As we were pulling up to the castle, that cool nostalgic feeling came rushing back. I had been to Neuschwanstein before when I visited Germany 10 years ago (almost to the day). The shops that I had forgotten about were still there. The horses pulling the buggies were still going up and down to the castle. And as I crossed the last corner to finally see the castle the surreal moment of “Holy crap, I can’t believe I’m back’” happened. Here is a picture of me and my friends from my first German exchange experience in high school. I took a picture of myself standing in the same spot.
Life is just cool sometimes.
Alex Krog, CPA is an Audit Associate and participant of Mueller’s Global Employee Exchange Program.
