Hamburg, Germany

In prepping for our stay in Hamburg we had three different offers from people to come stay with them. Instead of choosing one we decided to stay with all three which made this trip very fun and exhausting. lol.

The first person we stayed with was Anne.  I really liked her.  She was so friendly, full of energy and fun to be with.  She knew I was interested in learning to cook different dishes along out travels so she made us dinner with a traditional dessert from Hamburg.  It was similar to a thick berry compote over vanilla ice cream.  Man-o-man was it delicious.  Definitely going to try to make that when we get back. Steve loved it!  One thing I have noticed here is they use a lot of cherries in their desserts.  Anne had bought a jar of cherries in cherry juice as the base for the dessert and then added in other berries.  This jar was not marichino cherries in grenadine.  These were nice plump cherries that were slightly tart in a deep red juice.  I don't know if I will be able to find it in the States but I am going to try.  :)

 We spent the evening chatting and getting to know each other.  Anne is a stage actress and often works on cruse ships so she has traveled to many places. One of her house decorations that was cool was a money bowl.  From all her travels she had left over coins and bills she kept in a big bowl.  She read somewhere, if you had lots of different currencies in your house it will bring you wealth and good fortune.  She told us she has been to a few places in the US.  Of those places she listed I remember she has been to SF and Seattle.  It was funny because she was teaching us about Seattle Washington's history.  She had gone there on one of the cruses and explored this city and its history.  Apparently there is an underground layer.  The current city was built on top of the old city and its sueage system.  She said there is a lot of crime that happens down there and Steve pictured Batman's Gothem City on The Dark Night Raises  lol. He is so cute :). Sean, Bobert, Marika, Chris is this true?  I told her that when we went we didn't see any of that but we went to the original Starbucks and the gum wall and to see the Troll under the bridge. . . You know the important things to see in Seattle lol. 

Now that she is not working on the ships she does many different acting jobs.  One of the jobs she told us about was really cool.  She has a part in a murder mystery tour of Hamburg.  This is something for tourists where they get to be the detectives, like Sherlock Holmes, and travel around the city, ask people (staged actors) questions, collect clues and try to figure out who the killer actually is.  It sounded amazing!  We were ready to sign up but, sadly, it is only in German.  :(. 

Anne also likes dancing so we spent a while talking about dancing and how much we all love it.  She has danced ballroom and has recently gotten into Argentinian Tango and goes a few times a week.  Steve and I have only taken one class on this dance and it is vey complicated.  We thought if we all got the chance to go dancing later on in the week that would be nice.  Unfortunately, that didn't work out but I am sure Anne is doing enough dancing for all of us :).

The three of us :)

The next day Anne showed us around the city.  The first place she took us was the harbor.  This used to be the biggest port in Europe.  They are turning the old storage buildings into upscale hotels and flats.  Opera is pretty populate there so they are also building a HUGE opera house in that area.  It is kinda a weird looking building and the construction has gone way over budget so many locals are upset about their tax money being spent that way.  She also told us about a museum in the area that had many famous places around the world modeled in a miniature scale-mini cities, beaches, villages, trains, ect.  We didn't go in that day but decided to go if we got caught in bad weather later that week.  After our visit to the harbor we went to St. Michael's Cathedral.  This is a famous Lutheran church in Hamburg.  They say if you get a chance you should go to the top, on a clear day, and there is a beautiful view of the city's skyline.  Unfortunately, there was a service going on when we were there so we couldn't go in so we decided if we got another chance we would go back.  After stopping by St. Michael's, Anne took us to a beautiful park in the middle of the city.  It wasn't quite as big as Central Park but it was very nice and quite big.  There were all sorts of trails leading to big grassy areas, ponds, fountains, and gardens to have a picnic or just soak up the sunshine.  We spent a lot of time in here.  We visited a tropical garden in a green house, a Japanese garden, and a rose garden.  We also went to the kids playground.  That was awesome!  It was pretty big with lots of structures to climb on, swings, slides, the whole shebang!  Steve and I wanted to stay and play a while but we thought it might be better not to scare everyone away.  We did a lot of walking and we all hungry so we stopped to get some food before heading back to the apartment to take a nap before heading to our next place.  

Anne, It was so nice spending time with you.  Thank you for being an awesome host and showing us around the city.  I am glad we are connected on FB and I look forward to keeping in touch with you. We wish you the best of luck in all you future adventures and endeavors :) 

Random beach area in the middle of the city.  Too bad it was cold and windy, otherwise it was pretty awesome

The ports

St. Michael´s Cathedral.

Strange advertizement we found EVERYWHERE!  Any thoughts on what it is for?  We had fun guessing.  Somethings are best left in private or not being advertized. 

 Our walk through the park.

Flowers from the tropical garden

 Playing in the kids playground :)

In the rose garden

After we left Anne, we headed out to meet Marcus and Katrin.  They are such a cute couple and they love to travel too!  In fact, they will be traveling to CA in September.  We are bummed we won't be back to host them but know they will have a great time!  The first night they took us out to an Italian restaurant within walking distance. It was a charming place and the chef sang as he put our pizzas into the wood fire oven.  We talked about many things at dinner.  One thing that stood out to Steven was how they define their relationships.  There are "friends" and then there is "my friend". A "friend" is just that, but "my friend" includes ownership which is how you describe your partner.  To them a boyfriend and girlfriend is a term you use as children when you ask (in note form): do you want to be my girl/boy friend? Check yes or no.  Lol we also talked about all of our travels.  They gave us some tips on traveling in India and we gave them some tips on California. They also suggested some places to visit the next day while we they where working, but we decided to take a down day catch up on some much needed R&R and taking care of some business back home.  Marcus came back early to get ready for a big camping trip/concert weekend with some buddies. When he came home with one of his friends, we were still in our PJs. Lol. He and his friend laughed at us but we got ready and all five of us went to a food court to get dinner before they had to leave  You know how all of our malls have food courts?  Well I guess there it is rare to have food courts but the mall by their place did so we went and each got whatever tickled our fancy.  I got Indian food and Steve got Italian I think one of them got KFC (I didn't know that was international). On our way back we stopped by the store to pick up a box of Dickmanns.  This is a must have in Germany and Steve was intrigued by its name so we had to get some.  It looks like a chocolate bullet.  The bottom is similar to a sugar cone  put ice cream in but it is flat and round.  The filling is a cross between marshmallow fluff and the cream filling inside a Twinkie.  Then the whole thing is dipped in chocolate.  It was so rich! I could only eat one.  You know it has to be really rich if I could barely finish it because you all know how much I like my sweets.
Culture shock moment: While at the grocery store Steve and I were talking about buying bread for our breakfast the next morning. Our German friends looked at us with a confused expression and asked us why we would buy it tonight for tomorrow morning.  We thought "why not?" It makes sense right?  We can buy it tonight and then we don't have to the store the next morning.  Well to them this was a strange way of thinking because they go to the bakery everyday.  It is not an inconvenience, it is a way of life.  Also, the bread here does not have as many preservatives so it is not as good the next day.  It is better to eat it fresh the day it was made.  And I must say, the bread in Germany is amazing!  It makes so much more sense to buy it the day you eat it.  

While we were all waiting for the rest of Marcus' buddies to arrive, we turned on the TV for a while.  They like The Big Bang Theory too so we watched an episode and they caught up on some sports news.  It was cute because Markus'"co-worker was saying Americans like our TICKLE sports.  Steve and I had to pause a minute.  What is a tickle sport?  Steve likes to tickle me all the time but I wouldn't conciseness that a sport.  Lol. Turns out he meant TACKLE sports, as in football.  Lol. It was the cutest thing!  I am sure if we tried to speak in German we would make similar, if not worse, mistakes than that.
After they left we spent the evening with Katrin and gave her a bunch of suggestions for their visit to CA.  I hope they have fun!  Thank you Markus and Katrin for housing us for two nights and sharing all your traveling adventures with us.  We wish you all the best on your travels and are excited you get to see our beautiful State soon.  :)

Dinner out with Katrin and Markus

this was our morning bakery run.  These rolls are typical for this area.  The traditional one is the cinnamon one in the middle.  All of them were so good.  

The four of us

Everyone say "Tickle sports"

 The next day we went back to St. Michael's and went inside.  It was a beautiful church in side.  It was very bright and clean looking compared to the Gothic churches we have been visiting all over Europe so far. After we were done visiting the church we met one of our new hosts, Charlotte, and she took us to a Schlager Festival.  This was so awesome!  What a cultural experience.  Schlagar music was popular in Germany and Europe during the 60s, I think.  It was very fun, light and sweet sounding but transparently the lyrics are dark and sad but you can't tell from the music or the way it is sang. The Festival took place at the Reeperbahn, the red light district of Hamburg (more on this coming up).  The streets where packed with people dressed as flower power hippies. It was quite entertaining just people watching and seeing all the clothes and flowers in their hair. Everyone was three sheets to the wind and partying hard.  Because there were so many people and not enough bathrooms, everyone improvised and went wherever they saw a tree or bush. . .or wall.  lol  Walking through the park you could see the trees were being well watered.  Steve said they had their own mini lakes. I didn't breath through my nose as we walked through the park.   lol  Running down the Reeperbahn were many decorated floats sponsored by local clubs, each having their own DJ playing music and many Schlagar lovers dancing on the float and throwing out candy.  Were were there for around 3-4 hours and we still did not see all the floats, but not for lack of trying.  :)  If you look past all the brothels and insane amounts of alcohol everyone had, this festival was really a lot of fun!  I enjoyed hearing the music, seeing the costumes, and watching all the floats go by.  
The Reeperbahn was a long street full of bars, exotic dancers, prostitutes and brothels.  It was quite the experience. One street over, running parallel, was a street where only men were allowed to go.  I guess the dancers did not want competition from having women walking on the street with the men.  If they were the only women, they would get better business. We were told this is a big tourist attraction and there are many bachelor parties that take place here.  I can imagine why.  You cold go into any bar and buy a cheap drink for yourself but if you bought a drink for one of the girls the price would increase with every drink you bought them.  I guess it is common for naive tourists, who don't look at the posted signs, to end up having a 1000 euro bar tab by the time they leave. They can not argue because it was posted and the bouncers make sure you pay.  I felt so bad for Steve.  He was was very uncomfortable but he was a trooper.  We heard the night life was more intense and in your face than the day.  Thankfully the festival helped distract us from all the skin.  All three of our hosts suggest going here for the experience if you have never seen something like this.  Well, I guess we can check that off our bucket list.          
After we left the festival Charlotte took us back to her and Andreas' home.  They lived outside the city center and it was more quiet and rural.  They were surrounded by apple orchards.  Both of our hosts were very kind and generous.  They consistently opened their hope to travelers for as long as they needed before moving on.  When we got to the house we met their other guests, had dinner together and hung out the rest of the night.  There were two girls hitch-hiking through Europe and heading to Sweden (I think) and another girl from Amsterdam (who we also went to the festival with).  Two girls were vegan and one was a vegetarian so we had a potato and leek soup for dinner.  We also had fresh strawberries and apple juice from the local orchards and farms.  They were really yummy. After dinner Andreas gave us a cultural experience of watching a German comedian and he helped translate for us.  It was cool.  After the three girls went to bed Charlotte, Andreas, Steve and I stayed up and visited for a while.  We talked about the differences in our countries and million dollar question everyone asks us here, "why are Americans so obsessed with their guns and gun rights?" lol  I don't need to tell you that, even though it was late, Steve suddenly had a lot of energy and loved talking politics and such.  lol  Oh Stevey.  :)  We all eventually said goodnight and agreed our visit was too short and then when to bed.  The next morning Charlotte took us to a train station and we headed off for Berlin.          
Andreas and Charlotte, thank you for your kindness and openness.  We enjoyed seeing your love for people and your willingness to help others when they are in need. You have great big hearts!  Until we meet again in the US we wish you much happiness and love.  :)

  That is the Archangel Michael slaying Satan. Pretty intence

A complete picture of St. Michaels' church

 Yes, that is the Achangel Michael slaying Satan. Pretty intense.  In one way it can be looked at as triumphant but in another way it can be scary.  I don't know how welcoming this would be if I didn't know what it is.

|The inside of the church.

Schlager Festival:

Manly 

Can you imagine?  Ok, so I actually like the white, pink and orange dress.  lol

This is a famous street on the Reeperbahn that is often shown on tourism shows for Hamburg.  this is also where the Beatles played their first shows before they became popular and took over national and international charts.

One of the cleanest examples of the shops on this street.  

Festival floats:

Smurfs are big here.  They are called "Shlumfs"  

As this smurf float went by, there were people going around putting blue paint on spectaters.  The three of us girls ran away but Steve got Smurfed or Shlumfed.  LOL

Steve loved me so much he had to share.  :)

This picture was taken for Sean.  Steve thought you were amazing using your two computer screens but look at Andreas' SIX screens!  

Andreas and Charlotte had the cutest most relaxed cats I have ever met.  They would let you do anything with them and did not get mad or try to run away.  It was so cute!  I want one or two or ten :)

This was two cats!  They just stayed there.  lol  Steve told them to check to make sure they had all their cats when we left because I might take one with me.  

This is a Bavarian chocolate with this bread crushed up and mixed inside.  

This is a yummy candy that Charlotte gave us for our second breakfast (at 10am) while we are on the road.  :)

Our new friends on our last night in Hamburg. (Charlotte, Andreas, Hitch-hiker 1 (I don't remember their names :(  ),  Amsterdam, Hitch-hiker 2, and Steve.  

Amsterdam, Holland

We made it to Amsterdam safely but of course it was raining.  It feels like it has been raining ever since Paris.  We did not expect it to be so cold in Europe either since it is summer, but we are thankful we decided to bring pants and rain jackets. They have come in very handy. The room we rented was outside the city center in a newer development but it seemed a little sketchy.  We had the upstairs room.  It was very big with a window that spanned the whole room looking out onto a river. I think the place was still being worked on because it didn't have finished walls or a proper door.  We were the only ones on the floor but it didn't feel so private with a screen as a door.  Oh well we made the most of it.  :) The bed was comfy and it included breakfast so we really couldn't complain too much.  lol We came in at night but we wouldn't have known it if we didn't have a watch. It was bright outside and didn't start getting dark until 10pm! We turned in anyway so we would have plenty of energy for the next day.

The next morning when we woke, there was breakfast waiting for us outside our door.  Included in our breakfast basket was peanut butter and jelly, so we made ourselves a lunch as well.  Sweet!  Got to love free lunch!  By the way, peanut butter isn't as popular in Europe as it is in the States (it is also more expensive).  Everyone hear eats Nutella instead of peanut butter on their toast in the morning.  I like the Nutella, but I miss peanut butter so this was a real treat. :). 

Off to the city center we went! Thankfully the sun decided to show up for most of our day out.  We wondered around the city, explored some churches and out door markets full of produce, flowers, clothes and accessories, fresh fruit juice stands, and fast food. We stopped in a cheese store along the way and found a pesto cheese that looked gross because it was green but it tasted so good! We ended up buying a chunk to snack on during our journey. (We have found it is always nice to have some fresh bread and cheese on us when we are out and about, in case we get hungry and don't want to have a sit down meal. It helps save money :) ) The architecture  here was so cute and I loved all the boats and waterways.  It was like a dream; walking under the trees along a beautiful canal full of water that sparkles in the sunlight, while holding hands with the person I love. :) Perfect. We did notice a lot of bikes.  Everyone bikes around Amsterdam and they have parking lots for their bikes.  Some of them were two stories high.  It is really funny.  I am not talking about motor bikes either, I am talking about bike cycles. It was crazy how many there were parked around the streets and in the lots. Some of the lots were 2 stories high!  lol

We also saw a lot of wooden shoes and classic windmill memorabilia everywhere.  We were so confused.  We couldn't understand why they were selling these things when we were in the Netherlands and not Holland.  To the best of our knowledge Holland was known for these things.  Eventually we asked someone why they were selling them and they just looked as us like we were strange and said said Holland was The Netherlands, they are the same place.  LOL boy did we feel stupid!  When did they change their name?  Why did they change their name?  After I found this out I was bummed we hadn't seen any classic windmills. Steve loves them so that would have been pretty cool.  Then again, why would they have that in a city anyway, they were probably out on the countryside.  Oh well, maybe some other time. We did get to see the one at the Moulin Rouge. ;-) lol ....that counts right?

Did you know weed is completely legal in Amsterdam?  Yep, they sell the plant and the buds EVERYWHERE. They even have "coffee shops" that are really smoke shops.  Also prostitution is completely legal and accessible.  For the right person, this could be the perfect place to live.  lol  For us, this was a little odd and sad, but we were able to avoid it. (We met some hitch hikers from Amsterdam in Hamberg later in our trip and they said not everyone is a pot head.  There is still the party scene where you can find a lot of this but then there are those who don't like it and don't have it as part of their lives.  It is legal but it is still a choice.  

As we were exploring the city, we came to th main square and a street performer was just starting his show. We decided to see what he was up to and we are glad we did.  He did a half our show that had us both in stitches.  He was so funny!  I know the pictures won't make him look as funny as he was but I will post some anyway.  We went and chatted with him for a little after the show.  He works a lot on cruse ships (which was why he was so entertaining) but he must have been grounded for a little bit in between gigs. He says he loves his job because he gets to make people laugh for a living.  He was really nice and he definitely made us laugh and our time there memorable. 

After we explored all the places we wanted to in the city center we headed back to our room, watched a movie and went to bed.  We had to rise very early the next morning to make our next train into Hamburg, Germany.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Train station

This is Begijnhof chapel.  This Hidden Chapel  was very sweet and charming. Behind this door lies a beautiful courtyard holding 2 small chapels and several apartments occupied only by women. Many years ago a group of women came together to live in a religious community, primarily to look after the sick. They were not nuns but they did have to be unmarried,  make a vow of chastity and to promise obedience to the parish priest.  If they decided to, they could leave and get married without being disgraced for leaving this community.  For a time in Amsterdam, it was forbidden to be Roman Catholic or to openly profess their faith.  All catholic churches were closed or the authorities took over, so they began worshiping in house churches.  Since this place of worship was in a housing community it was left alone. To this day it is still an active Catholic church and all the residents are women. 

There was a fire at one time that destroyed many of the apartments here and it was later rebuilt.  This brown building is the only original still standing.

The Chapel

The courtyard.  It was so quite and peaceful in this place.

A look around town.

Men´s fashion?  I hope not.

Old church that was converted into a movie theater. Pretty cool looking ;)

Cute building

Capital building

Here is the street performer I told you about.  He was awesome!  So funny!!!

He picked up this suitcase and ran around it like it was stuck.  It didn´t even budge!  He did a great job making it appear not to move. 

Now on to the food :)
Magnum ice cream was founded in Holland.  I just started hearing about them in the States over the last couple of years, but here it is very well known.  Because it was created here, and because Amsterdam is a tourist trap, they made it possible for everyone to create their own Magnum.  Which I must say, I think this would be a great business venture in California.  Look at how much we like to customize our frozen yogurt :)
Anyway, Steve created his own Magnum dipped in milk chocolate with dried raspberries, strawberry sugar, and nugget all drizzled with white chocolate.  It was pretty tasty and Steve was extremely happy. 

These hot food vending machines are very common here and many locals go here to pick up a snack to go.

This is a Frikadel.  We were told to get one.  It is a traditional Dutch snack.  It was like a type of sausage or hot dog with mayo, ketchup and onions.  It was ok.  Probably wouldn´t eat these often if I lived here.

Apple pie :)

A savory dutch pancake.  Traditionally served with lemon but we had one with ham and cheese.  This was phenomenal!

Bye Amsterdam!