This Video is 91% Positive. My Day in Leipzig, Germany.
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- čas přidán 8. 05. 2024
- The incident at the end of my day in Leipzig (written a couple of hours later in the safety of my hotel room):
I was really enjoying the walk from the market back to town, it was such a lovely evening. Then, out of nowhere, a guy approaches me with a full mask on. I remember thinking ‘this is a bit weird’. Suddenly, there were four of them around me. Angrily shouting at me, they all had masks and hats on, only revealing their eyes. It was at this point I realised there was a serious problem. People don’t have masks like this unless they are into some proper dodgy shit. I didn’t understand a word they were shouting, but when they started pointing at my camera, I had the sinking feeling this was a robbery. Fight or flight. Four to one, my only thought was to run. After about a block I looked back and they were still chasing me, but I was outrunning them and they were quite distant. I kept going though, trying to get as much distance between us as possible, looking out for anyone who could help me along the way. Nobody bothered. After about four blocks, I looked back and they were gone. My main feeling was amazement that this 50 year old guy could outrun a bunch of 20 somethings on their ‘own streets’. I relaxed and started walking. But something made me glance over my shoulder again and I couldn’t believe it, they were there again and closing fast. In a panic I started running again, I saw a shop with an open door and burst inside, almost directly behind the counter, shouting ‘CALL THE POLICE’. The shop owner didn’t even have time to react before two of them burst straight into the shop behind me. The shop owner, a youngish girl, stood between me and the first masked man. He was shouting aggressively but at last I had someone who could translate what he was saying. I was right behind the counter of the shop and remember looking down at a wee dog staring back at me like he’d seen it all before. The shop owner spoke English very well, but what she said wasn’t what I wanted to hear. She told me to take this outside, she didn’t want any of this in her shop. I can understand that to be honest, but at the time it was the last thing I wanted to hear. The only thread of relief was that she told me they thought I had been filming them (which I of course hadn't), but maybe this wasn’t a robbery? I stepped outside feeling a bit angry now, but still cautious as they were still agitated and not letting it go. I turned to my pigeon German 'FÜNFZIG JAHRE, FÜNFZIG JAHRE'. How dare they confront and chase an innocent fifty year old guy up the street? 'REIS VLOGGER'. I didn’t know if this was making any sense, but the response was ‘I don’t think so’. They weren’t buying it. One of them started pointing at my camera again, but I was not letting go ‘I can show you clips, but you are NOT touching this camera’. I showed the last couple of clips and my business card. As one of them checked my channel, the others were still barking at me from different angles, no idea what they were saying, but they didn’t sound convinced. Just when I was facing the prospect of being forced to delete my footage, the guy checking my channel looked up at me from his phone and said ‘okay, okay’. And as quick as that it was over and they were casually walking away. The shop owner reappeared and asked if I was okay, probably with an understanding now that I was the innocent one. I said I was fine, but could feel the adrenaline draining from my body. I felt empty and still do. I have a video to film tomorrow and another one yet to be finished. I don't think it's going to happen. My camera has given me a job I love and I am so grateful for it. But sometimes it gets me into trouble. It might just be some jobsworth at a ferry terminal, but this time it has landed me in a seriously dangerous situation. Us travel vloggers get a lot of negative attention for just doing our job. I don’t stick cameras in people’s faces without asking if it’s okay to film them, I always try to be respectful and friendly. But every now and again I get some really bad reactions as if I’m breaking the law by holding a camera. Like I’m the criminal, not the four masked men that have just chased me up the street. I don’t think it’s fair. Maybe some vloggers out there push boundaries and spoil it for the rest of us. I guess I just have to live with that and push on, but I don't think I can face recording tomorrow.
[END]
Thanks for reading my story. And I’m sorry if you are reading this as a German - I know this can happen anywhere in the world, it just happened to me in Germany. I still love your country, but Connewitz, Leipzig, somewhere on Wolfgang-Heinze-Straße, I will never walk your streets again and if you read this as a fellow vlogger, I strongly advise against you filming in this part of town. The streets are apparently run by bandits.
But the show must go on. And that means there WILL be a video next week. See you then and thanks for watching/reading.
Wow, that was scary. It reminds me of my 'crazy lady' encounter in Berlin and the Politzei. Apparently Germans take their privacy VERY seriously, but it can really shake you up when you've done nothing wrong and confronted in a foreign country. Fortunately you're fine, and your camera survived to tell the tale.
Mate we are both marked men in Germany eh!? :D
The fact it took so long to get proper Street View coverage in Germany compared to the rest of Europe is quite telling. Also, there are far more blocked out houses etc on German Street View than most other places. Germany also has far fewer CCTV cameras per head than, say, the UK or USA. They really do take privacy extremely seriously and there is a suspicion around filming, particularly in the old East. That being said, Steve's experience seems more like an encounter with street criminals than a negative encounter with German privacy culture.
@@steve-marsh were they native germans?
@@bmofanoI know what you're getting at. Did you see Mrs Balkan Beggar outside the church earlier ? Unfortunately due to limp wristed governments and Police they're all over Europe including UK nowadays .
@@michaelkobylko2969 It sounds nothing like street criminals and everything like the Polizei. As the woman in the shop who saw them knew full well if you work in a dodgy area in Germany, you have to 'not see' lots of things the police are empowered to do by the populace (see @bmofanos ridiculous reply) regardless of the law.
In January 1979, aged 25, I arrived at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof from the UK to start my new job as an English teacher at Leipzig Uni. In those days it was called Karl Marx Uni and was housed in what you experienced as the Panorama Tower. The city was experiencing electricity rationing due to shortage of fuel for the power stations....opencast mines had all frozen solid, so no brown coal . It was dark and cold at the station and no shopping concourse, but lots of uniforms...East German and Soviet....it was like the start of a spy film.
There was definitely NO ACCESS to the public at the Tower, we had to show our ID to get into the lifts...the viewing platform that cost you five euros was not there as the top floors were only accessible to certain "officials"... aka Stasi.
I spent eighteen months there, made many friends and had a few adventures too!
I am now seventy and have lost touch with people I knew, but have fond memories of a much simpler Leipzig. Thanks so much for showing me around my old stomping ground, I never returned after the Wall came down, didn't want to burst the bubble, and judging from your frightening experience, I'm glad I didn't.
What a time to be there, wow, thanks for sharing!!!
I was in East Berlin before the wall came down. I was glad I experienced a world that has now vanished. I found the East Berliners kind and friendly to foreigners at the time.
I didn't learn German at school, I just picked up German from the street.
Years later, I have completely forgotten German.
But the memories will stay with me.
I moved there from the UK just after the Wall had come down and lived with my E. German girlfriend who taught English at the K.-M. University. DM70- per month for a lovely old Art Nouveau flat in the Sellerhaeuser Strasse, Anger Crottendorf. I stayed until 1998 when I moved to Australia. Those early years were so exciting and interesting with numerous side trips to other European countries. I learnt German there, also as I went along. I still return now and again with family to visit a couple of still very good (German) friends. Leipzig is still nice, but each time just a little worse than the time before (same with everywhere else it has to be said). Couple of things: The station is Europe's largest terminal station, and it has (or did when I was there) Germany's 2nd largest tram network - a good one at that. I was there again briefly in September. I missed all the old Wartburgs and Trabants, even if they were awful.
You are the first vlogger that showed my hometown not only from the center, but from many perspectives to show its diversity. Thank you for that. It is so unfortunate what you experienced. Connewitz is the ultra left neighborhood of Leipzig where there are often fights with the police. If they thought you were an undercover cop I am not surprised about their reactions. Really bad luck, I feel so angry towards those guys.
I hope you come back one day, would not mind showing you around a bit more :)
Thanks so much! I had such a wonderful time in your city and I love it! These people and the situation at the end can happen anywhere, I won't let the small minded ones win :) Thanks for the welcome from 99.9% of the people there!
My personal encounters with that lot (ultra, militant left) over decades is that they are never really leftwing, nor socialist, nor egalitarian, but usually just loudmouth egotists. They probably saw the numbers on your videos Steve and that resonated with them as probably live completely online.
That area is synonomous with ultras of Chemie Leipzig, they are part of this loony left mindset and despite saying all the right things in reality are pretty nasty characters who ironically dont take well to views that dont align with their own, Ive been to over 100 staddiums in Germany and only once experienced what you did and that was at Babelsburg who have fans with the same mentality, their parnoia and sense of self importance is off the scale and typically behave how they did to you when they are 4 to 1 and think they can be the big men!
How stupid that ultra left neighbourhoods exist. Why is Germany becoming so radical left
@@steve-marshI wanna tell you what probably happenend to you. These were left wing guys who were afraid that you're a right wing or Neonazi who goes to connewitz to film 'targets'. People, shops etc. In the past there were several attacks from Neonazis in connewitz. Also Neonazis have lists with names, addresses and pictures of left wing people. So thats why they react like that to filming their safe space. It has a long history. I wanted to make it as short as possible.
Great video Steve. Terrible incident. Glad you are ok. On a trip to Hamburg, my first and only, I stepped up from the main train station into a riot of Neo-Nazis and those that turned up to fight them, along with riot police. As they rushed each other, I was there, the little English guy with his backpack on, a Police officer came up to 'twat' me with his baton, I remember just going; "I'm English!" The Police officer then just went, sounding like Arnie, "Getdaf*ck outtahere!"... I still enjoyed Hamburg, but needed a very stiff drink after that.
get to the chopper lol
Hi Steve. I once got mugged on a holiday much in the way that you have described. I only lost my travel wallet and a little bit of cash but the experience left me shocked. Your reaction is a very normal, and healthy, one. Going into survival mode takes its toll on our bodies and minds. Don't be surprised if you're feeling down for days, weeks maybe even longer. Just know that what you've experienced is scary and that you reacted very well! Hope you feel better soon.
Ps. If you're wanting to talk about it over a pint/coffee, I'm in Edinburgh anyways. Cheers for the content.
Thanks so much pal, ay eat was the scariest experience of my life to be honest, but thankfully I had a good tourist experience the next day to help me get over it! (next week's video) Cheers for the offer!
Don't let your light go out, Steve, because you shine brightly with positivity, even at the advanced age of 50! You've got miles to go before you rest... literally, you walk a lot in your videos, so keep on doing your thing here. Stay safe!
I like the way this comment stated it. You do shine brightly and I look forward to every submission. Keep on.
Jeez, Steve ... As a German, I feel rather ashamed about the whole incident. From personal experience I can tell you that Leipzig has long been a city where the atmosphere & friendliness of the inhabitants could change from one street to the next, purely depending on how you look ... What a shame to hear that this hasn't changed. And thanks for ccommenting on this with restraint & perspective. And sorry again ...
Thanks so much for your comment, and please don't apologise for the extreme monitory - 99.99% of German people are absolutely wonderful! :)
i dont think this is nessesarrily the case
as a leipzig citicen i asure u its less random than it seams
connewitz part of town is known for left extremists wich unfortunatly he crossed the way of such 4
something a tourist does not nessesarrily know as in media the part of town offten is advatices as a liveley niceley quater
while in reality well there are some over reactive people walking around in a higher frequency than somewhere else
and thats phrased niceley
also why the shop guy was not willing to help and said they should sort this out outside
i probaply would say same if i was afraid to have my car and shop lit on fire just for caling the police
people from leipzig usualy have greate hospitality and are friendly in nature its simply that we unfortunatly have a issue with left extremisim
@@YukiTheOkamiUm Connewitz macht man am besten einen großen Bogen.
The camera doesn't matter and in all honesty the SD cards don't matter. The only priceless thing to everyone of your subscribers and everyone that you know is you.
Stay safe out there but don't let one incident within your years of doing this ruin anything for you. Puts the being told off on an aeroplane or ferry terminal into perspective though eh 😉
Aye so true! I was shaken up a bit by it, but still love the city!
I read your description Steve, and that certainly sounded like a scary and chaotic encounter. I’m glad you’re safe and well and don’t let it ruin your overall experience. After all that stress, it turned out to be a very decent tour around Leipzig. Thank you for that mate.
Thanks mate! I still remember the city fondly!
@@LittleSparrowFLY yes. They were
@@LittleSparrowFLY Those in Connewitz are most certainly German
Steve, you have put yourself at risk many times on your hikes and climbs. We very much appreciates the risks you take to produce such fine videos. I often think about the time you mistakenly got off the train one stop too soon in the dark and freezing cold in the middle of nowhere. We all appreciate what you do for us so take good care of yourself.
The variety of moments I find myself in is funny when I think about it from the safety of home! :D
That was when he was going to a city near the Russian border. That was scary but thankfully like in today's episode, it didn't get worse.
Steve, in my career I have been trained to the hilt by security and one thing that has been drilled into me for the past 25 years is to always be aware of ones surroundings and never get distracted. Even the slightest distraction can put one in harm's away (you should see me at a bank machine--glares galore and fighting stance). Goodness, even here in Toronto it has become bad to the point that my phone is kept in my pocket so all my senses are on full alert and that is just for errands midday. I saw a video from a creator in New York a few years back get confronted as well which was a bit of a close call for him. All to say, though precautions can be taken, once a person starts to film content, that does take away from some of the awareness of the surroundings. I am reaching out due to concern because over the years, on this side of the computer I see a genuine sweet person and to have that happen to you is disheartening. Please don't take my comments as anything like me berating what you do, that is not the intent, rather, it is out of concern and if there can be a silver lining, it would be perhaps to think about ways to ensure that you can still provide your excellent content without putting yourself in harm's way. Like another person mentioned below, things can be replaced but you cannot. I hope that you are feeling better and it can take a bit so look after yourself, R
Hope that didn't spoil your day, you were very brave running away from them ,who knows what they would of done to you, l would have run, lol 😊
Thanks so much for this, and to hear it from someone trained, gives it even more weight. I think I learned a lot from this incident and it will steer me well in future hopefully. I'll keep your words at the front of my mind.
@@steve-marsh My wish is that you are safe and that I get to enjoy years more of your content:)
Steve, I cannot tell you how sorry I am for this happening to you…
I’m really shocked and sad, that this incident happened in my home country.
Thankfully you got out of this mess unharmed and with all your possessions.
You are certainly my favorite creator here on CZcams and I hope, that you still visit Germany in the future. 🥰
Greetings from Bremen ⚓️
as someone from leipzig i am glad hes ok
probaply ran into some left extremists (knowing in wich corner of town he was) who got the wrong idear these folks tent to overreact quite fast
wich also is prooven by the fact the guy from the shop he ran into did not wantet to deal with that
these folks lite up ur car ur shop ur trashcan u dont mess around with them
lets just say besides infamous eisenbahnstraße this corner of town is avoided by anyone who knows better and also has a different option
heck i rather would live with my dad in an smaler apartment 2 rooms in a different more nicer place of town than to moove there
at least when u cant deal with these type of people or u are unwilling to be a dayly cowerd just so ur car isnt set on fire
@@YukiTheOkami Similar situation can happen in any Eastern European city but shop owner kicking out a person in need on the street and not calling the Police is unthinkable to me! And I'm from Russia! I think there is something deeply wrong with this. I was in Leipzig just a couple days ago. Absolutely beautiful city. Much better than Dresden or Berlin to my taste... But pro palestinian graffiti left a bitter taste...
I was so happy to be enjoying your tour of Leizieg until those last few moments, I felt fear for you even watching the aftermath days later and thousands of miles away. I was only chased down the street by a gang once in my life but the fear is still there when I remember the incident. I'm so glad you and your equipment are safe, your adventures are so much fun to share and I would hate any harm to come to you. Please stay safe my friend.
Thanks so much! It's just so obvious I'm a tourist, their reaction was so over the top and it was proper scary. All in the learning curve I guess, the adventures will continue with a little more thought :)
firstly, so glad you are ok. i had a weird incident in madrid once, years ago, that freaked me out for days.
what is clear, after reading the comments, is that you are admired and treasured by your followers (including myself, here in the u.s.). you are so down to earth and we relate to you and your travels. i first found you when i knew i would be taking a ferry from belfast to scotland. i did a youtube search and there you were. i have been following your weekly pursuits ever since. please take care and know you are appreciated by many both near and far.
Wow, so sorry that happened to you. My father said as a Canadian for 55years, it's not the Germany it used to be. Leipzig is near my birthtown of Jena. My grandparents lived in Grimma, south east of Leipzig.
Sorry you had problems, Steve. You're always polite & respectful to people on your vlogs and it's to your credit. Hang in there as you're essential Saturday lunchtime viewing! 🎉
Thanks Chris! Yeah, it annoys me that people would treat visitors like this, especially people trying to shine positive light on their city!
Was horrible seeing you at the end Steve, you looked shaken to say the least. Hope you are ok and that the experience doesn't knock your confidence as your videos are brilliant.
On a more positive note, just seen that you have passed 100,000 subscribers. What a landmark to pass and very well deserved 👍🙂
As a woman who travels alone, this is the reason why I stick to the usual tourist areas. There is always the chance of running into a situation like you experienced. Glad you're okay, and actually impressed that you tried to outrun four youngsters.. can't keep a trail walking Scot down😊
I can't tell you how comforting it felt to be back in the tourist area after this. But then the adrenaline faded and it was a tough night! But I was back out there filming the next morning :)
So sorry this happened Steve. I also travel as a lone female often, though not a vlogger. I play it safe always. Been to Germany many times and German shouting is terrifying. Glad you got out of it safely and well done again for that run.
@@steve-marsh Good for you Steve .
Don't let people stop you from doing what you love
As someone who lives in Connewitz: You don´t need to have any more fear of being attacked here than in any other part of Leipzig, maybe even less. The only thing these guys are concerned about is their privacy and not being filmed by random people, since Connewitz, being a leftist stronghold, has a long history of Neonazi attacks and police repression which makes a lot of young people rightfully paranoid. As long as you are not a nazi and don´t film random people, there is nothing to be worried about here.
Great channel Steve came across it last week and spent 4 hrs a night watching over last seven days , great work brilliant
So glad you got out of the situation and I feel for you in this. Very few of us enjoy such a confrontation. Please don't let it put you off. I enjoy your vlogs so much and it's the only CZcams reminder I pay any attention to. Looking forward to more videos and please take care.
Thanks for taking us with you, Steve. I am grateful that you survived the encounter. As always safe travels. Rest well my friend.
Hi, I am from Leipzig. You are the properly the CZcamsr who explored the city the most! Thanks for sharing your experience!
The district where you encoutered these dangerous people is called Connewitz. It is a district which considers itselfs as alternative. I am so sorry that you got in this situation. Perhaps it was a big big misunderstanding but this also dosen‘t justify their reaction.
I hope you get to see Leipzig another time soon and this bad experience did not scare you off too much. I can recommend visiting Leipzig in spring to summertime. It is a totally different vibe. Next time please go to „Fockeberg“, „Südvorstadt“ (especially Karl-Liebknecht-Straße), „Panometer“, „Clara Zetkin Park“, the zoo is also highly recommendable. When its really hot outside go to one of the many lakes (for example „Cospudener See“ or „Markleebergersee“). Also in the near of the lakes is „Bergbau-Technik-Park e.V.“ which is a place you should definitely check out :)
Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked and I would totally understand if he never went to Leipzig again...or even Germany. I am so mad and ashamed these assholes in Connevitz accosted him like that, would do that to any guest coming here. What have we become?
@@mimamo I feel alike. It's so embarressing what happens in this country nowadays.
Thank goodness you’re okay and they didn’t harm you physically. I’ve followed you for a while now and your humor and content is top notch. Keep safe.
Sorry to hear about this Steve! You are making amazing content, and sometimes seeing what can go wrong but things in perspective is a great skill to have. Glad you’re okay and keep up the amazing videos we love to see
In my experience 99.9% of people around the world are lovely. I think that means that the contrast when things go wrong is all the more stark. It takes a bit of time afterwards to process what’s happened and put it in context. Then you can get back to feeling good about travel but still retain the necessary eye open for the signs of a dodgy situation. Sounds like you did the best you could with this one and it came to a favourable outcome. Good on you for your sprinting skills. You’ve still got it. 😅 Stay safe, my friend and enjoy your travels!
Haha a small injection of adrenaline and the legs are still like a 20 year olds :D
My heart was pounding reading the notes. Huge respect for the way you got yourself out of such a frightening situation. And heartfelt thanks for sharing your experiences so vividly and honestly. I wish, of course, you didn't have to go through it! What you've done to build this channel clearly hasn't been easy. And what a moment to see your subscriber count's passed 100k! Huge congrats Steve.
Steve, I am so sorry you had to go through this awful experience. Thank goodness you are ok!
So glad youre safe! And sorry you experienced that. Hope you're good man!
What a frightening experience for you and I really hope you are ok now, although something like that not always easy to get over straight away. Steve, your videos are truly exceptional and every subscriber to your channel appreciates everything you do, whether it be in the UK or abroad. 😊
I've spent about 8 hours twice exploring central Leipzig. I was over 70 at the time. was loving your video recognising the places. And using my phone camera. Then comes your attack. I spent 50 years exploring London. Dressed really scruffy including shoes. Never had any trouble. Even not bothered by beggars!
well, if you looked scruffy, the beggars won;t think you had much to offer to them 😄
Just noticed, you have reached 100k subscribers!!!! Congratulations and very well done. Love your videos. ❤❤❤
So glad you're safe, Steve. Thanks for all you do. I only recently found you via your collab with Scott, but I love your content. Be safe!
I m so sorry to see and read what happened but so glad you are ok in the end , I love your videos they give me a view on the world I’d not get otherwise thank you please stay safe on your next tour ❤
Thanks so much! It's certainly made me a bit more aware for future trips!
What a terrifying experience, Steve and am so thankful that it ended well. Just shows that it pays to know and avoid the dodgy parts of town, and I am sure that all big towns/cities have them. Having said that, your sightseeing was great, and that Hotel Ma Ma was such good value.
I loved the scenery you filmed and im so glad you didn't get injured. Stay safe!
Sorry that happened, just glad you’re ok. Hang in there, we love your videos.
Steve you definitely have my prayers for tonight as you went through a bit of hell over some jerks who were afraid to be seen!! I am so glad you are safe though because your videos give me a lot of joy!! Please stay safe Sir. I DON'T want to read your time in a hospital or worse yet; your obit!!
Thanks so much! :) I'll stay in close conversation with my instincts from now on!
Hi Steve so sorry to hear of your extremely scary moment in Leipzig 😮 it always seems worse in another country with the language barrier!! I very much enjoyed the rest of the video & hope you and Alicja are both safe & well back at home!!
Loved the video but was really shocked at the ending. Hope you've recovered from that scary incident. Thanks for the videos, hubby and I watch them all. 👏 👏
Congratulations on 100 000 subs 🎊🙌 so deserved. I’ve loved all your videos!
Steve, sounds awful what happened. It's the worst feeling being away from home and in such a situation. I was mugged a few years back in Paris. It wasn't nice. I was hit over the head with a brick. My wallet and phone were stolen. However, I've been back since and will go again. It could happen here in sleepy Norwich. Travel is what it is and at times we have terrible experiences, but we keep doing it because it's our passion. Keep up the good work 👍.
OMG that's scary sh*t!!!!
It's a crazy situation you found yourself in, but I'm glad it all worked out. Stay safe out there!
The experiences of travel eh?! :D
That's rough. I'm sorry to see/read about that experience. I'm glad you were ok. Really enjoy your videos and hope you never have another experience like this.
Nice vlog Steve, shame about the bad end. We watch all your vlogs and always enjoy them. You take us to places completely unknown and they’re always interesting and make a good watch. Keep up the good work, we’ll look forward to the next one.
Steve, I'm gutted that happened to you but really glad you're okay!!!!!!! Was a great video as always!!!!!
Cheer Ryan, I was pretty shaken by it, but all good in the end!
Sorry to hear you experienced this - it must have been very scary and it sounds like they were very intimidating. As you say, possibly you inadvertently filmed something dodgy taking place, only people with something to hide would react this way. Glad to hear you got away unscathed although shaken
Thanks Suzanne, it was a horrible experience, but still love Leipzig!
Sadly Germany is becoming dangerous. Unlimited amounts of illegal migrants and violent far left anarchists. It use to be my favourite country to travel. Not anymore.
Wow, that must have been so scary for you. I'm so glad you were not hurt and resolved it. Hope this does not dent your confidence going out and filming. I love your channel and everything you do. Please keep it up.
Hi Steve, I just wanted to say you’re one of my favourite travel vloggers. I look forwards to your videos every Saturday morning and I’m really sorry this happened to you!! Your videos have given me lots of inspiration for my own travels too (I even did the Bucharest - Chisinau train earlier this year - what an experience!) … just want to say I hope you keep going with the channel! Stay safe 💪🏻
I'm glad the experience ended up being resolved without you losing your camera or in any physical injuries but I can't imagine how that would have left you feeling and I hope you're okay.
Cheers! It shook me up a lot to be honest
Hi Steve, just watched your video and wanted to pass on our very best. You are a great person and everyone appreciates your travels, I know many people who watch your travel journals struggle with mobility so you bring the world to them and it is appreciated. Please take care and don't let it stop you being you. Cheers Paul
Thanks so much mate!
Sorry that happened Steve. Keep going your work is great. ❤
Sorry to hear about your experience Steve, that must have been a shock Hope all is well and look forward to the next video
I'm so sorry you had to experience this. This sounds so scary. Just wanted to thank you so much for all your videos and the great effort you're putting into them! They are really helping me through the day and I am so happy to read in the comment section you're not discouraged by these people's behaviour. So glad you made it out ok!
Thanks o much, massages like this keep me going!
100% they were up to something dodgy. Nobody reacts like that if they don't like being filmed, and also the way they were dressed. They were up to something (who knows drugs perhaps?) and were worried about being caught on camera. Glad you're ok Steve.
Steve, thank you very much for that nice video about Leipzig, my home town. I do think you missed out on an experience by not going inside the Völkerschlachtenkmal. It's really beautiful and, yes, monumental in there. Also, I am very sorry for the incident you had. Nobody deserves to get jumped like that. Nevertheless, Connewitz is one of the most notorious left areas in Germany and thus under contant surveillance by (undercover) cops and subject to constant trolling by right-wing vloggers. You, going around and filming there, was an incident waiting to happen. I hope you come back one day and get that stadium tour. :)
you do a great job and please continue to do so. i like your approach very much and enthusiasm is likeable.camera clarity is superb.THANKS SO MUCH.
Steve I am sorry you had this experience and I am so glad your well and OK. Steve love your travel Vlogs do not let this put you off making more. We need you Mate, but most of all your safety is my main concern. Take care stay safe. God bless. Steve
What a nightmare dear Steve!! I was reading your description horrified by the events and I am so glad you are safe and well! It takes the worst of humanity to ruin one's life, but I hope the moral support of your followers will help you forget this awful experience. Wishing you and Alicja a wonderful weekend!
Thank you so much Maria! I really appreciate your kind words, and you have a wonderful weekend too!
Wow Steve. That ending was completely unexpected. I'm so glad you're ok and didn't come to any harm. It's such a shame things like this can leave such a sour taste after enjoying such a beautiful city. How did Alicja take it when you told her? I bet she was shocked too. Take care bud, chin up 👍
Yeah, it is scary even just thinking about it now, I had no idea what was happening at first, if I was going to be beaten up, robbed, no idea. Scary as hell! Yes I was on the phone to Alicja after this for some comfort!
@@steve-marsh aw, bless ya! Glad everything turned out ok in the end 👍
Thanks for the upload this must have been a truly terrifying experience and I'm glad you're safe.. definitely sours what had been a great trip.. thank you for all of your content and it's appreciated and most importantly stay safe out there..
Blimey Steve! Seriously scary stuff there. I don't know how much this will mean but I watch all of your videos, you're a great vlogger and I - and many others - really appreciate what you do. I hope you continue to do what you do so well
Hi Steve, I'm German but not from Leipzig. I can imagine that you have walked through or nearby the neighbourhood of Connewitz. People there tend to be very left (political) and maybe they thought you are filming them. Apart from that there are two other football clubs in Leipzig, based in the North and South who also don't like other people, entering "their area".
Anyway, Leipzig is such a beautiful city, feel free to discover the other cities in East Germany like Potsdam or Dresden. Hope that encounter wasn't too bad. Greetings :)
Thanks so much and my opinion of your great country will never be tainted by these people! Cheers for the tips too!
There is nothing more German than blaming the illegal actions of the police on left wingers and football hooligans. Except maybe writing 'greetings' at the end of a sentence.
Danke Shurn. Ich habber Vergessen Deutsch
Tshus
Oh that's a horrifying experience Steve, so glad it all ended well for you!!!
Leipzig looks like a beautiful city and worth visiting, with a hidden camera 😊
Yes, just like Kensington avenue in Philadelphia US...🤣
Steve, I just wanted to say how much I’m enjoying your videos and hope that the bad experience you had doesn’t deter you from keeping up the work you do. Visiting Leipzig, albeit vicariously, was a wonderful way of spending part of my Saturday morning. So: Thank you, and I look forward to your future work. Sincerely, Scott (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)
Good that you got away unscathed, but goes to show you don't, or can't take anything for granted. Glad you got home safe, thanks for a great blog.
Sorry to hear of that ordeal Steve. The main thing is your safe, sound and unharmed.
Cheers mate! Aye, glad to get out of there in one piece with all my gear!
Was there a demonstration nearby, or were they up to something crooked? I'm 56 year old German, but I've never experienced or heard of anything like it! That's not normal! Yes, we Germans take privacy seriously (lived under two dictatorships), but the mask thing alone is strange. As a German, I apologize for these compatriots!Great videos.👍
Es gab am gleichen Tag polizei Razzien in Connewitz
No nothing at all. But please don't apologise, I love your country!
@@steve-marsh 🇩🇪♥️🏴
Steve that must have been horrendous. You do such a great thing here, I’m just so sorry that there are folk like this. Glad you’re well mate.
I love your channel! And I´m soso sorry you had this bad experience in Germany! But I hope you till come back again! Many greatings from Germany, Odenburg (nice to visit too).
Gosh. What a horrendous experience. My heart goes out to you. Being accosted in a street is a horrible experience. It’s happened a few times in my life, but never anywhere as distressing as you describe. I do hope it does not put you off from continuing with your CZcams filming. The world would be much poorer if it did. Stay strong, dust down and get back on “yer bike”. Thank you Steve for all you do. 👏👏👍😎
Thanks o much Andrew! I must admit it was a dark, lonely feeling after this with me questioning my career choices, but by the next morning I'd dusted myself down and was out filming again, we will not let them win! :)
@@steve-marsh That’s the spirit Steve. Never let the “bastards” win 👏✊️🏴
@@steve-marshHi Steve. Just noticed you have hit the magical 100k subscribers. Congratulations 🎉 Hopefully that will make you feel better after your horrible experience. Well done. Justly deserved 👏👏👍😎
CONGRATS STEVE on achieving 100k subscribers overnight!
Oh dear Steve sorry to hear that this has happened to you very scary indeed so many of us look forward to your videos and very enjoyable they are hope you are ok now x
So glad you are safe and well Steve. You are a national treasure now mate 😊 me and my family love your videos. Stay safe and hope this message finds you well. 🙏 😊
I was recently in Germany filming for my vlog and I've never had so many strange looks before. I knew Germans value their privacy a lot so I was very respectful and always tried to frame people out of shot etc, but it still felt a bit uneasy. I've never encountered anything like your incident though - it's sounds terrifying, especially if you don't speak the language!
@@LittleSparrowFLY if they were 20 they probably were, even if their parents weren't
I guess drug dealers
Sad to hear about the bad experience in Germany and congrats on the Subs. I would not put much into it, Connewitz is a nation-wide known ghetto, with constant clashes with police. And like every country, Germany has criminals too. These thugs just did not have anything better to do at that particular day. Edit> You should have called the police, they might not catch them on that day, but its relevant operative information for them.
Scary stuff! Glad you are ok Steve. Carry on soldier. Your work has great value!
That's so crap you had a bad experience. Love your videos and adventures, please don't let this get you down too much❤
Dear Steve, let me start by writing that I am glad that you managed to get out of that scary situation. I bet that those thugs think they own the streets and that anyone walking them are subject to their "jurisdiction". Anyway, I hope that you despite this incident will keep on travelling and posting your awesome videos and notes. I am thrilled every time I see there's a new video from you on your channel. So keep on keeping on!
Thank you mate :)
Sorry to read that you had a bad experience in Germany. I haven't been to Leipzig yet but according to your video it is worth a visit. Thank you for filming it. I found this at the German Wikipedia about the area you mentioned: "Connewitz gilt überregional als Hochburg der linken und alternativen Szene und wird oft mit Punks, Autonomen, der Antifa und der Hausbesetzerszene assoziiert. Diese stellen jedoch nur eine kleine Minderheit der Bevölkerung von Connewitz und konzentrieren sich vor allem auf das sogenannte Bermuda-Dreieck zwischen Bornaischer, Meusdorfer und Wolfgang-Heinze-Straße. Wichtige Treffpunkte dieser ausgesprochen heterogenen Szene sind das von der Linkspartei betriebene linXXnet[28] und das alternative Kulturzentrum Conne Island."
Thanks so much for sharing and for coming along :)
Congratulations on 100k subscribers😊 Absolutely well deserved😊
I'm sorry that that happened to you Steve . Apart from that I really enjoyed the video Steve . I don't know whether it's Leipzig or Dresden that has a lovely Christmas market . Keep up the great work and I can't wait for you and Scott to do another video together 👍
...thats such a shocking experience - thanks for sharing it with us! When I try to imagine what was behind this, what comes up, is that there is a lot of surveillance in Germany (which is my country of origin, now living in Scotland) and its also often politically motivated - like radical left-wing and right-wing groups filming each other to prepare for action... there are a lot of fights, also street fights between those groups... this sounded very much like a left-wing group... there are areas in German towns, especially big cities, where you better be very careful with filming in the streets... its a very sad reality - violence based on political radical opinions...
what might be a good idea is to check on the iNet before visiting cities, what are the high-danger or no-go zones, although in this case, you might not have found something (not sure - you could check it out)... maybe there is a way of dressing up to protect you better, like wearing strong, extravagant colours... the grey-dark features, maybe with caps and hoods, are also a camouflage for those spies of groups, so you could try to look less likely being one of them... - I know its a natural tendency to look like 'not to stand out', but in cases like this it just has the opposite effect, especially if you're filming...
...fingers crossed that this might be a stand-out experience, but maybe its also a good little warning - it could have ended up worse... maybe with your growing number of followers you could enquire with us of pre-cautional advise, before visiting a town or area? You could also make it a habit to visit Tourist Information centers in the places you visit first, and ask straight forward, if there are any risk areas for filming?
- apologies for this lengthy text, but I really want you to feel safe, while exploring! 😊
You are so so right - I questioned what I was wearing afterward, but I was still really angry at them targeting me, I still think I looked like a tourist (and a fifty year old one at that). I was amazed how the different emotions came over me after it! Scary scary stuff, and where was my instinct when I needed it most!? :D
@@steve-marsh I'm sorry you had to experience this. To confirm what @jornspirit wrote, since I've lived in Leipzig for some years: Connewitz is well-known for having a lot of left leaning and radically left people living there. It's been subject to a lot of police and right-wing surveillance in the past, which led to many people there being very suspicious of cameras. That's not to excuse their behaviour, they should have handled that a lot better and a lot less threatening; I just wanted to shed some more light into it. I hope this experience didn't ruin your trip entirely or taint your impression of the city and its people. I spent a lot of great days and evenings in Connewitz without any issues, because most people I've met there are absolutely lovely, but unfortunately there are also idiots there :/
@@maikhildebrandt9921Thank you for the information that you and Jornspirit provided. Can you explain why the men were wearing masks?
@@clarecrawford9677 If they suspected him of being a Nazi filming them, they probably didn't want to be recognizable. But that's just conjecture at this point
@@steve-marsh Definitley okay to be angry. As a leipziger myself I can tell you that your clothing wouldnt have given you issues - connewitz is a good mix of every type of person and clothing style. If you had walked along without your camera you would have had no issues, I do so almost daily :).Not excusing their actions, sorry you went through that.
There are a few people in germany that get very angry if they get filmed, doesn't even have to be because they are doing something bad in that moment, but because they think it goes against their privacy rights.
True. But guys who act like this are not innocent in any way
Unless he pushed the camera into someone's face, it'll be nothing to do with "privacy rights"...more to do with organised crime that has been left to proliferate in Germany due to open borders policies & a useless police farce.
Wow Steve, that had to be a scary situation. So glad that you got them to back off. Stay safe out there.
Congrats on the 100k sub and look forward to seeing the award. One of my favourite channels. Well deserved.
Y'know Steve, I've occasionally wondered how you've avoided incidents like this in your travels. When I was in Germany earlier this year for a Nena concert, I had to drive from Gelsenkirchen to Essen to find non-carbonated water (was dealing with a sinus infection I picked up in Stirling). Driving through some of those neighborhoods at night had my head on a swivel. I messaged my German coworker later and said "I think I drove through the Antifa section". He replied, "Oh, that's all of Germany now. Wait until you see the Turkish section." It seems everywhere is like that now. Well, everywhere except Hungary, Poland, and Japan. So stay safe, I'd hate for anything to happen to my favorite vlogger.
You're 50? Welcome to the club, buddy! You don't look a day over 39!
as a German who grew up in the West I feel for you. I could never get the hang of "Dark Germany" (Dunkeldeutschland, as we call it) after the fall of the wall, in fact I always had a tolkienesque Middleearth view on the world, and we know what dwells in the East there... 😇 Seriously, that is the part of Germany where many people see themselves as being dealt the losing cards by history and therefore tend to be more aggressive towards anything that even remotely looks like fun at their expense.
Very interesting to read this from your perspective, thanks! And I still love your country!
I had the same experience in Berlin. Straying into Prenzlauer Berg, we were accosted by a drunk who berated us for being 'from the West'.
This was about 10 years ago.
Their behaviour was inexcusable, I am sad this happened to you. But saying this is because "Dunkeldeutschland" saddens me as well. I've worked both in the west and the east, with my current job being in Leipzig, and I can honestly say that in my experience, neither part is more or less friendly. I grew up in the east after reunification, and all I've known all my life is one whole Germany. There are many prejudices on both sides, and those always feel like driving a wedge into this hard-earned unity.
I'm so glad you are now safe Steve. And feel so bad for you that you had to experience that. Just know that we love your videos, but we want you safe too. Don't worry about SD cards, just your own safety. Thank you for all you do.
I'm sorry for what happened. It's a good thing our favourite 50 year old vlogger is so fit. Congratulations on the 100 000 subscribers.
I’m sorry about your bad experience in Leipzig. Germans are very private and don’t like being recorded or photographed without consent. My German friends say it has its history from the cold war era when the Stasi spied on everyone. When you began your videos in Germany, I was afraid something like this was going to happen. Glad you’re OK. Hope to see more of your videos. More power. On the other hand, in the Philippines, the experience is quite opposite. Everyone wants to be in the video and will say hello and join in the fun.😍😍😍
We should respect the 'privacy' of 4 guys with masks? Welcome to modern Germany.
@@rogerhiggs3495 Pretty sure they’re just far left extremists who are kind of schizo regarding undercover cops. Would also explain the ski masks. That district in Leipzig which he showed before is pretty well known for that unfortunately…
Nothing to do with "modern Germany", rather German society and laws not moving on with modern media and internet. As a matter of fact, actively filming individuals in public without their consent is indeed a criminal offense in Germany.
@@joachimschwabe3301 That’s not true, as long as your on public property and not actively filming a specific person you are free to do as you want. Those laws only apply if you’re filming a person specifically instead of just filming a place with people just in the background by chance. Also on private property the owner has the right to disallow people filming.
@@firstmoviesHD You are right about the case with the scenery and people in the back. But I was just exactly referring to the other case. This is also why I wrote ACTIVELY filming INDIVIDUALS. In your answer you wrote yourself it is fine if you do NOT actively film people.
i'm glad you are safe, steve. why do these kind of incidents always seem to happen in germany? it's a shame what has happened to that country
I still love the city, but it's not the first time I've had something happen there, although this was by far the scariest
what a story... my word! glad you're ok, if only out of breath... be safe, mate! recover and press on. and I note the 100k mark for subscribers--well done! cheers!
Sorry to see this, Steve. Hope you are OK (I mean mentally as well as physically) and whilst i really enjoy your videos you just need to do what you think is best. Take care and happy travels!
The Germans are very protective over their privacy and take it way more seriously than we do in the UK. I'm glad you're okay Steve, I'm really enjoying your videos and it's making me want to visit as well.
We should respect the 'privacy' of 4 guys with masks? Welcome to modern Germany.
@@rogerhiggs3495 Yes Germany is doomed...thanks to Merkel's CDU & the SPD/ greens...VOTE AfD!
The country has been overwhelmed by organised crime, pretty much like all of the west due to open borders policies & the useless police farces.
Well that incident will certainly leave a lasting impression on you if you ever visit Leipzig again
I loved the city but I don't think I'll be back...
@@steve-marsh The huge amount of graffitti in that area, no doubt including gang tags, was a clue...same problem in Hamburg around the well known red light area, in which a large useless & corrupt police presence exists. Remember that Scottish lad that was found dead there a few years ago, after a long period of searching? Same in Berlin around the red light area, where the hookers are allowed to rip off their clients...
Glad ur OK Steve been watching your videos
That was obviously, understandably a scary experience. So glad you came to no harm and grateful to you for sharing this (mostly) wonderful city - and for all your adventures. More power to you and your lovely lady. 👍
25:30 Haha. Connewitz is antifa area and perhaps they thought you are Paparazzi or spyon or someone else....
But Leipzig is boring. Dresden is more historical. And some b-towns were very pretty like Jena, Weimar in the that area and very chilled.
Hamburg, Berlin, Munich are the must see cities of Germany. And the best traveltime is mai - octobre.
And a pro tipp from me: visit some old austro-german towns like Bratislava/Brünn in Slovakia. There some pretty and cheap towns
I wish I'd had time to go to Dresden!
@@steve-marsh Not sure nowadays what the feeling in Dresden is towards the British but I remember the late Queen Elizabeth getting loudly booed by the locals when she visited years ago. Resentment about the 1945 bombing raid was the factor. Hopefully attitudes have changed since.
Congratulations on hitting 100k subscribers Steve. You've come along way. Cheers from Slateford.
Oh Steve. Such a fearful thing to have happened to you. Thanks so much for sharing the places you travel to with us.
Wow that was a shocker at the end - hope you are ok. The video was excellent, very interesting and informative- love the view from the tower. Quality first class as always. Don’t let the incident put you off but can understand it was pretty scary!! 😮. Cheers