TRAVEL. PHOTOGRAPHY.

Walking Through the Streets of Rural Germany

Where history is greeting you around every corner

Time seems to pass slower here. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There is no rushing to the shops, no stress about getting to the train in time. Life is more relaxed. Life is simpler.

I’m not experiencing the village life here in northern Germany since we live in a trailer park 5 kilometers away from the closest town. But I head out on trips with my inline skates, exploring some of the small villages in the countryside.

I never get to see many people. Maybe one or two are getting in or out of their house. Now and then I see an older person sitting on the bench in front of their house.

I see horses, cows, and sheep and hear and see countless chickens.

The middle of these villages is wide. Trees are lining the roads, broad walkways, and stretches of lawns on all sides. A church is always the center of town.

Most of the buildings have a number written on the wall. A number dating the building to a year in the 19th century. Yes, these villages are historical landmarks.

Still standing.

Still inhabited. Some of them, at least.

Flowers are decorating the front yards that don’t have a fence. No fences are needed in a village where everyone knows his neighbor and anything happening in town.

I found these beautiful roses, dark and light, shining on the side of the road.

I decided to go down on my knees and capture the scene from below.

As I continue my trip I pass more historical houses and farm buildings.

One particular old-looking building attracts my attention and I hop over a cobblestone road to shoot the beautiful brick wall from close up.

Tall growing grass reaching high on the wall. Some cement is standing out from the dark bricks. An elderberry bush is still in the shot reaching over the wall on the side.

I look back down the main road. My camera backpack is lying on the pavement. Otherwise no signs of humans. The gates of most yards are open. Flowers are blooming and bushes are growing through the fences.

A postbox is standing out to me. No names are written on the tags, only a comment about not wanting any advertisement in the box.

As I am nearing the end of town, I am approaching a huge but old factory. It’s a schnapps distillery. I don't know if it is still in use, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is.

The building is most probably also from the 19th century but is well maintained. And just as I was moving on, I saw a lady getting out of one of the doors.

This was it. My walk through a village in rural Germany. Historic buildings, trees, and roses in black and white. Some monochrome photography to have a contrast to all my otherwise colorful pictures and stories.

“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” — Coco Chanel

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