Head in the Clouds...
My destination - the Big Yellow House in Timmdorf. Photo by Sharan Rai
“‘Nachster Halt, Bad Malente.” I gathered my luggage as the train approached it’s final stop. The rain continued to gather momentum, beating at the windows and distorting my view. From what I could make out, Bad Malente appeared to be a boundless blanket of wild grass and dirt track roads that disappeared into nowhere.
Within seconds of departing the train, a flurry of Mercedes vehicles had driven into the small parking lot cum bus stop and rushed the other passengers away. Then there was the sound of only the rain as I waited anxiously for a taxi to appear. I had been instructed by my soon to be wed friends to get a taxi from the train station to the ‘big yellow house in Timmdorf’, but fifteen minutes later not a single vehicle had approached the station. My friends’ phones went straight to their voicemails, so there was no chance of my search for a taxi getting any easier. My nose had turned to ice and a dull ache stirred behind my eyes. Somehow I had to find my way to the big yellow house and I had to do it soon.
Next to the unmanned and almost derelict ticket office stood a Chinese restaurant, with a sign that screamed ‘Pecking Ente’. Dragging my suitcase behind me, I hurried towards it. The door creaked as I pushed it open and a bell rang out alerting those inside of my entrance, but all I could see were neat rows of tables set for diners, of which there were none and an unattended bar. The scene resembled something out of a gangster film; a legitimate business fronting an illegal one. My growing anxiety was not lessened by the sudden appearance of a perfectly coiffed and smartly dressed middle-aged Asian woman wearing a frown and clearly annoyed at being disturbed. She was on the phone and spoke rapidly in what I assumed was Mandarin whilst glaring questioningly at me.
“Können sie mir helfen ein taxi finden?” I asked, hoping my pronunciation was correct and that my anxiety wasn’t visible. The woman did not reply and continued to converse on the phone whilst she hastily jotted a number down on a dog-eared flyer. “Danke,” I called, as she turned and walked away, shaking her head as she went.
Back outside in the parking lot, the rain threatened to rinse the ink away as I hurried to dial the telephone number. My call was answered promptly and a man spoke, but the only word I recognized and understood was ‘taxi’. Even so, I was just relieved it was a taxi service I’d gotten through to. “Sprechen sie Englis?” I asked and received the very welcome answer “Yes – some”.
Nearly an hour later and after another call to the taxi driver, who had been waiting for me to emerge from ‘Gelb Haus’ and not the train station, I finally found myself in the taxi and on my way to the ‘big yellow house’. The taxi driver apologized profusely for the confusion and I apologized in reply for my lack of German. In hindsight it was a rather comical exchange.
The big yellow house in Timmdorf was easy to find with it being the only big yellow house in the village and as we approached I uttered a silent ‘yay!’. I could hear the sound of laughter coming from within the house as I trudged up the steps with my luggage and the scent of Italian herbs wafted through the open windows. Friends, food and a wedding; I had reached my destination at last.
Supping at the big yellow house in Timmdorf
The happy couple prior to the wedding
Not a dry eye in the house after Rainer conveyed his vows to beautiful Monica - Photo by Sharan Rain
The happy couple after the wedding. This photo captures their characters perfectly! Photo by Sharan Rai
Recognise the gal in the middle? That’s me in my tailor made silk dress, Office booties and my gorgeous Walford Sousan tights (thanks again to Tights Please!).
Awaiting our luncheon cruise boat after our tour of Plon - Photo by author of Geek nation Angela Sain (far left)
Another view of those dramatic Wolford tights.
Touring Plon after the wedding ceremony - Photo by Sajeda Noor
Parasol Play!
The glamorous actress and singer Esmeralda entertaining us at the wedding reception. Photo by Sharan Rai
The best man Uli Kirsch and his friend and fellow actress acting scenes from the groom's debut stage play. It was in German, so I understood little, but it was gorgeous! Photo by Sharan Rai
Monica and Rainer cut the wedding cake. Those petit fours were delectable! Photo by Sharan Rai
Just a little note from me to you 
.
Special thanks to my friends Monica and Rainer Niermann for inviting me to experience the most magical and beautiful wedding ever! And a special thanks to wonderfull and talented Sharan Rai for sharing her photos with me (you can see more of Sharan’s work on her website
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