Stargates, Borders and Pickled Fish

Today we left the Spreewald behind and made our way to my small, sleepy hometown of Wittichenau—just in time for Easter with my parents, and for Sanjay to experience some of the local Sorbian traditions. But of course, I couldn’t resist planning in a few detours to squeeze a little more wonder into the journey.

After breakfast and check-out, we hit the road—and were quickly greeted by something truly unexpected. Entering the small town of Döbern, known for its glassblowing tradition, we turned a corner and BAM! A giant glass pyramid. And flanking it? Stargate-style Anubis warrior statues. I had to do a double take. As a Stargate fan, this surreal scene in the middle of rural Germany had me both baffled and delighted. Still not entirely sure why it’s there… but I’m not mad about it.

Our first actual destination: Fürst Pückler Park in Bad Muskau. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this sprawling park is a masterpiece of landscape design, created in the 18th century by the eccentric Fürst Pückler himself. The rebuilt palace is stunning, but the real magic lies in the grounds—and in the fact that the Neiße River runs straight through the park, serving as the border between Germany and Poland. With just a short stroll across a bridge, you’re in a whole new country. Gotta love the EU for moments like this!

Next up: Rakotzbrücke, the social media darling of eastern Germany. We knew we were close when we saw license plates from all over the country in the parking lot. This thin basalt bridge forms a perfect circle with its reflection in the water below—pure visual poetry. Yes, it was crowded, but even the influencers couldn’t ruin the moment. It’s every bit as magical as the photos suggest.

Finally, we made our way to Wittichenau, where my mom was already waiting with Plinsen (those delicious yeasty pancakes!) and coffee. Time flew by as we caught up, and before we knew it, it was time for our traditional Good Friday dinner. As Wittichenau is part of the Catholic Sorbian region of Upper Lusatia, we loosely follow the traditions—so no meat today.

Instead, we feasted on all kinds of fishy delights: smoked trout and salmon, Rollmops (pickled herring rolls with gherkins), Brathering (sweet-and-sour fried herring), shrimps, and of course—all the pickles we brought from the Spreewald. A delicious end to a delightfully unexpected day.Leer más