Invitation at the Office
From Hamburg to Stuttgart: A Night of Friendship in the City began with a simple invitation. A few US colleagues from other departments, whom I only knew by sight, said with a smile that I should come by because I would like it. It felt as if everyone was welcome.
Spring in Stuttgart
After a long winter this was the first truly mild Friday evening. Stuttgart smelled of spring and the air was pleasant, as the Americans would say.
A Friend from Hamburg
Normally a Friday in a new city felt rather empty. Few friends, only acquaintances. This time chance helped. A good friend from Hamburg stayed for the weekend in Stuttgart. Usually he was only there from Tuesday to Thursday because he lived and worked in Hamburg.
Plan B Downtown
I suggested our usual stop at the burger place. He was not a fan of fast food. So I offered Plan B. I had been invited to a party downtown. There would be food and drinks. We could take the train and enjoy a beer together. He hesitated but I insisted. We would go in, say hello, eat, drink, and if it was not right we could move on politely to the next place.
Party Mood
Around seven we stood in front of the venue. Inside there was music, voices, and laughter. We hesitated for a moment but retreat would have been awkward. We decided to see what awaited us.
American Coolness and Swabian Hospitality
As soon as we entered some of my colleagues recognized me. My friend and I found a place at the table. The Americans greeted us warmly as if we had known each other for years. Before we even ordered a beer was placed in front of me. My friend received one too and joked that it felt like Hamburg, only without Astra.
Cultural Conversations and Maultaschen
I sat next to my supervisor whose wife was curious about everything. As an American she saw Germany with fresh eyes. She spoke about good cakes and poor service, about beer at the Wasen and the lack of South American restaurants. I laughed and said that in Swabia there are Maultaschen instead of tacos.
Drag Queen and Finger Food
The host took the microphone, made a few jokes, and introduced a drag queen. There was no stage, only dimmed lights. She moved singing through the room. My Hamburg friend, who had been skeptical, grinned when she winked at him. He whispered that it felt like the Reeperbahn.
Breaking Language Barriers
Finger food arrived in waves. Chicken wings, chips, and salads filled the tables. I danced with my American colleague and the drag queen. Suddenly my Hamburg friend spoke fluent English. He laughed, gestured, and told stories of Hamburg. He spoke of Helmut Schmidt, the harbor, St Pauli, and the Beatles.
Two Languages One Level
Jason, a hotel worker, spoke broken German. My friend spoke broken English. The more shots they shared the smoother the conversation became. Jason grinned and said that two languages had found one level.
Last Train or First Train
Couples began to leave but we stayed. My friend and Jason became the motivators. They wanted to go to a club that opened at midnight. I reminded them that the last train left at quarter to one. My friend laughed and said that then we would simply wait for the first train.
Stuttgart Lives
We moved on as a group of ten including the drag queen. Stuttgart was still alive. Unfortunately the bouncer refused us entry. The club was too full and too late. We took it lightly and managed to catch the last train.
The Magic of the Moment
That is how From Hamburg to Stuttgart: A Night of Friendship in the City unfolded — full of encounters, surprises, and resonance. Sometimes you must go along with the flow. The evening developed differently than expected. In that lies the magic of life.
