walking by yourself, not sure if this is the right way. you asked the two older women but they refused to give you directions insisting that the place you are going to is too far to walk and that you must take the train since it’s getting late. you assured them that you will take the train (you didn’t want them to worry) and walked in that direction. but then turned right just before the entrance to the station. you were in no hurry. and you didn’t have anything else to do. or rather, you didn’t want to do anything else and getting lost in this new city seemed like a good idea. then you found the christmas market (the one he was talking about) and you wanted to go up on the wheel but there were all these children with their parents waiting in line so you just walked away. but you had gluehwein and asked if they could put it in a paper cup to take away. families and children and giant heart-shaped cookies. nikolaustag. your birthday. walking away from the christmas market, you looked at the driver of the small blue car that had stopped at the lights. you recognized the annoying photographer from the opening party. but even so, you smiled – it was comforting to recognize someone in this new place. and then you found the way back again; a way back.