Usedom with Inge

Usedom with Inge

View from the Ahlbeck Pier – the Baltic glitters in September light.

Prologue: Two Days for Friendship

Sometimes it doesn’t take a long journey. No wanderlust, no exotic destinations. Sometimes all it takes is a small escape from everyday life – two days to surprise a friend.

Inge, almost 88, had told me months ago that she had always wanted to visit Usedom. And so she finally booked a flight – from Lake Constance all the way to the Baltic Sea. At last, she is here.

The idea to surprise her came to us on a whim. So, just a day after her arrival, we set off: 340 kilometers by car, with nothing in our luggage but anticipation. Inge has no idea. Only yesterday I had wished her an “unforgettable holiday” on the phone – and today we would be standing right next to her. I can already picture her face: the amazement, the laughter, the incredulous shaking of her head.

We had been to Usedom before, stayed in Ahlbeck, admired beaches and piers. But this time was different. It wasn’t about postcards or picture-perfect views. It was about Inge.

For those who wonder where Usedom is: far in the northeast of Germany, shared with Poland. The island is known as one of the sunniest regions of the country – with 42 kilometers of beach, nostalgic seaside resorts, and more nature than anyone could take in over two days.

Friendship has its own geography. It draws no maps, knows no borders. It lives from gestures, from moments. And that is what these two days were all about.

Surprise Accomplished – Pure Joy

Surprise accomplished – an embrace full of joy.

The best journeys don’t begin with a suitcase, but with an expression. Inge’s eyes, her laughter, that spontaneous “You’re crazy!” – that was the true destination of our trip.

Of course, we didn’t just bump into her on the promenade. Nor in her hotel – she was out and about somewhere. Only in the afternoon came the saving call from the receptionist: “The lady is back in the house now, if you’d like to surprise her …?”

From Ahlbeck to Bansin it’s just a few kilometers. Reinhold waited in the lobby while the receptionist led me to Inge’s room. I knocked – after a moment, she opened, surprised, not quite ready for visitors. Completely perplexed, she stared at me. No photo of that, even though my phone was in hand. Her look I will never forget: “You? Here? I can’t believe it.”

Moments later she appeared in the lobby – fully dressed this time, elegant as always. Her embrace could not have been warmer. Again and again she needed us to confirm that we had truly come only for her: “You’re crazy, driving all that way … just for me?”

We sat down along the seafront promenade. Only minutes before, it had been gray and rainy, but now the sun broke through. Inge beamed right along with it.

Conversations with Inge never run dry. Curious, lively, always full of stories. The last time we met, she had just bought a new Smart car. When Reinhold asked if it was still running well, she told of a scratch “in the metal above the right front wheel, you know?” – “Do you mean the fender?” he asked. “Yes, exactly!” she exclaimed with relief. Then, laughing: “I’m so excited that you’re here, I can’t string a proper sentence together.”
Heilig’s Blechle – a Swabian exclamation, fitting since Inge lives in Swabia.

Between promenade and conversation: friendship always finds a seat.

How It All Began

Our friendship with Inge is like a good book – not long, but full of stories. Back then, she worked in a boutique to supplement her pension. We shopped, started chatting, shared an espresso. Later, I no longer went there for the clothes, but for her stories. That’s how we became friends.

Even when we later moved almost a thousand kilometers away, the contact remained. Because friendship is not measured by its length, but by its depth.

One summer moment in 2011 – surprise included: Sister Act in Hamburg.

Out and About on Usedom with Inge

The next day began down-to-earth – with a stop at the Inselmühle, a small manufactory producing oils, juices, mustard, and spirits. All regional, all without preservatives. Only what we were looking for wasn’t there: aronia berry juice and sea buckthorn nectar. So we moved on without superfood – it works just as well.

Next stop: Mellenthin Castle, a venerable estate dating back to 1575. We strolled through the castle garden, admired gnarled old trees and the idyll by the water.

At the exit, a curiosity: bags of coffee grounds for sale – as fertilizer. One euro a bag. We couldn’t help but smile.

Right next door, the coffee roastery tempted us. Cappuccino time. Inge took a sip, tilted her head and said thoughtfully: “Tastes somehow different.” Not criticism, just observation. We laughed – and as always with her, ended up wandering from one topic to a hundred others.

From castle garden to coffee roastery – Inge tried everything with curiosity and charm.

Small Quips & Big Moments

In the afternoon we headed to Zinnowitz. A walk along the beach and promenade, the “Garden of the Senses” with wooden sculptures. A glance into a boutique – and Inge remarked dryly: “The fashion here is so different from what we have in Germany.”

We laughed. After all, she lives by Lake Constance – Germany, yes, but a very different one.

An image of what carried these days: closeness and affection.

Ahlbeck – Pier with a Dose of Reality

Inge’s longed-for destination: the Ahlbeck pier – lovelier than postcards, only different.

Finally, Inge’s special wish came true: the Ahlbeck pier. Built in 1898, with its red roof and green turrets, it is the only remaining pier of its kind on the German Baltic coast. Even Loriot used it in his film Pappa ante Portas.

So we strolled along this historic bridge, circled the restaurant at the end, and took a peek inside. Inge had postcards in mind – golden evenings, glowing light. But now it was bright afternoon, and everything looked more sober.

Inge couldn’t believe it and kept saying: “This is not how I imagined it.” And in the car, on the way back to Bansin, she shook her head once more and murmured: “So different …”

Reinhold couldn’t help a slightly exasperated remark: “Inge, that’s enough now. We can’t do anything about how the Ahlbeck pier looks!”

Epilogue: Two Days That Remain

Two days are not much. But when they are filled with warmth, they last longer than many a long journey.

Usedom was the backdrop, the sea the music, the piers the scenery. But the leading role was played by togetherness – and by the smile that lingers long after the suitcases are unpacked.

We drove home knowing that Inge would not be bored. After all, she still had her “to-do list” – yes, she really called it that. At the very top: sit in a beach chair, gaze at the sea, sip a coffee, and enjoy a buttered pretzel.

Inge says goodbye – and we know: the smile remains.