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Witnessing Germany's Migrant Boom, In A Picturesque Bavarian City

Correction: In the audio version of this piece, Matthew Brumley says refugees are not heading to the Netherlands or Denmark. Both countries have taken refugees in this most recent crisis, though fewer have gone to Netherlands than other European countries, and Denmark has taken a hard stance against granting asylum to many.

KPLU travel expert Matthew Brumley has been visiting Passau, Germany, for more than 20 years. Residents in the sleepy Bavarian city are waking up to find migrants in their front yards, and walking down their highways. People fleeing persecution in Syria and other parts of the Middle East have made their way to Germany, which has an open-door policy on refugees.
Brumley, who was leading a tour group through the area, says his itineraries haven’t been interrupted by the stream of refugees. But he stepped away from his group for a little while to visit Passau’s transport center, where thousands are waiting to move further into Germany.

He says it’s been surreal to witness firsthand. This week, we take a break from our usual discussion of travel tips and destinations, to offer an extended conversation with Matthew about what he saw in Germany:

going_places_web_no_lede_110515.mp3
Extended audio: Matthew Brumley on the history and attitudes behind Europe's refugee crisis.

This is, of course, Matthew Brumley’s experience. He’s one of millions of people in Europe (permanently or temporarily) to have a perspective on the way the continent is handling an influx of migrants.

NPR has done extensive reporting on Europe's migration, which you can listen to and read here.We encourage you to learn more about what’s going on, from a variety of perspectives.

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"Going Places" is KPLU's weekly exploration of travel topics. Matthew Brumley is the cofounder of Earthbound Expeditions on Bainbridge Island, which arranges small-group travel for clients including KPLU. Usually, we talk about travel tips or destinations near and far. This week, as Matthew wraps up a month leading groups through Europe, we face the continent's influx of migrants -- and how it's affecting life on the ground.

Ed Ronco is a former KNKX producer and reporter and hosted All Things Considered for seven years.