At Home in Hamburg

After flying into Germany through Frankfurt am Mains international airport take a train to Hamburg, one of Germany’s oldest established cities. There you will have your mind racing as the city alone has endless stories to tell. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany, after Berlin and home to approximately 1.8 million residents while the city inhabits more than 4.3 million. The City known as, “Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,” gets its name from the first permanent building, a castle, ordered by Emperor Charlemagne in 808 A.D. In 834 the city was designated the seat of Roman Catholic bishopric, however in 1529 the city embraced Lutheranism and was a notable sanctuary for refuges. The city was, along with the majority of European countries at the time, accosted by the Plague or “Black Death,” in 1350, taking 60% of the population with it.

Once the city regained its faculties by 1410 the first constitution was signed. This lead to much change, and as the popularity of the Holy Roman Empire started to unwind in 1806 the Free Imperial City of Hamburg was not metastasized, but became a sovereign state officially titled “Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.”

Since, the city skyline has been unlike any other, wherein place of mountainous skyscrapers the horizon paints the portrait of glorious churches. In the 19th century, Hamburg’s own St. Nicholas’s church was the tallest building. Currently the skyline features St. Michaelis Church, St. Peter’s Church, St. Jacobi Church, and St. Catherine’s Church as well as the Heinrich-Hertz-Turm, once accessible radio and television tower.





Venice may be considered the city that floats, but Hamburg is home to over 2,300 bridges, more than Amsterdam and Venice combined making it the most abridged city in the world. In the St. Pauli quarter of Reeperbahn there is one of Europe’s largest red light districts and thereby home to strip clubs, brothels, bars, and nightclubs. For those who love The Beatles, an interesting fact is that they started their career in Reeperbahn with a 48-night residency at the Indra club, 58 nights at the Kaiserkeller in 1960, a stint at the Top Ten Club in 1961, and the Star Club in 1962. For tourists and residence alike there are bus tours that will take you to the numerous tourist attractions through the city. However, since Hamburg is one of the world’s largest harbors, tourists can also take boat tours through the canals, which start from the Landungsbrücken. If you prefer a more laidback atmosphere you should visit the neighborhood of Schanze, the street cafes are quant and quiet while the beaches along the river Elbe can be a relaxing getaway with friends and family for a barbecue.







Hamburg is a metropolitan of fancy with more than 40 theatres, 60 museums, and 100 music venues. When visiting Hamburg, especially during the warmer months make sure to take a trip to one of the many parks available. The largest parks are the Stadtpark, Ohlsdorf Cemetery, and Planten un Blomen. Stadtpark is Hamburg’s version of New York Cities “Central Park.” The park has a great lawn and an enormous water tower. For you star gazers who just can’t wait for the sun to go down the park is home to one of Europe’s largest planetariums. In Ohlsdorf Cemetery there is a Jewish mourning Hall.

The Deutsches Schauspielhas theatre in St. Georg’s quarter has a capacity for 1,192 spectators making it one of Germany’s largest theatres. The Thalia Theatre located on Raboisen Street was named, for good reason after the muse Thalia. From Greek mythology, Thalia was one of the three Graces and the muse of comedy and idyllic poetry. The theater has one of Germany’s more famous ensembles and stages around 9 new plays per season. For those visitors who aren’t fluent in the native tongue there is The English Theatre. Near U3 Mundsburg station, it is the oldest professional English speaking theatre in Germany having exclusively native English speaking actors. Since the arrival of the musical Cats in 1985 the city has been running such plays as Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Dirty Dancing, and Dance of the Vampires in numerous venues.

The Alter Botanischer Garten Hamburg (sometimes known as the Schaugewächshaus or the Tropengewächshäuser) is a historic botanical garden located in Planten un Blomen Park at Stephansplatz. The facility currently consists of interconnected greenhouses. Those with a tight budget need not worry this herbological paradise is currently without charge.




Located at Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, 22527 Hamburg is Hamburg’s most famous zoo, Tierpark Hagenbeck. The Zoo is most notably famous for its moats and bar-less enclosures, allowing all practitioners to follow the animals through the panoramic habitats. Make sure to follow all the rules and guidelines laid out for spectators as to not repeat the breakout of 1956! In 1956, 45 rhesus monkeys escaped from the zoo and ran wild in Hamburg. Police were called after housewives claimed to have been accosted by our primate brethren, as they were climbing through opened windows of local houses taking items from the homes and playing with them on the law and in the trees. There’s one good reason to not feed the animals at the zoo, they’ll follow you home and possibly try to inhabit your house.




Another famous staple of Hamburg attractions is the Hamburg SV (futbol team/soccer). Hamburg is sometimes considered Germany’s capital for sports since the city is home to one of the most famous first league teams and international sporting events. Hamburg SV is the oldest team of the Bundesliga playing since 1963, they are six-time German champions, three time German world cup winners, and triumphed in the European Cup in 1983 as well as having played in the group stages of the Champions League twice in 2000/20001 and in 20006/20007.

I’m sure by now with all the walking around, travel tours, and sites your stomach must be growling. Luckily Hamburg has a plate full of delectable and savory traditional dishes in store to sooth those hunger pangs. Hamburg’s traditional dishes include Bohnenund Speck (green runner beans cooked with pears and bacon), Aalsuppe (soup mostly considered to be eel, but may include everything but the kitchen sink), Bratkartoffein (pan-fried potato slices) which as similar to chips or French fries, Finkenwerder Scholle (pan-fried plaice), Pannfisch (pan-fried fish), Labskaus (corned beef, mashed potatoes, and beetroot), and to tickle your sweet tooth there’s always Rote Grutze (a berry pudding usually served with cream). After your belly is full, or if that weren’t enough there’s always The Hamburger DOM. The Hamburger DOM is Germany’s largest fun fair that occurs three times a year, spring, summer, and winter. This Volksfest consists of a beer festival, food, rides, and games for all ages.




With Hamburg’s rich history, it’s numerous attractions, and beautiful architecture you’ll be planning your return trip before you’ve left. No matter the season there is always something to do, a reason to celebrate, you will undoubtedly fine a way to enjoy yourself. Don’t forget your camera, you’ll never want to forget the memories you made while visiting this culturally stimulating and fantasy getaway city in Germany.

Visitors Guide to Frankfurt

When you first arrive in Germany, you're most likely to arrive at Frankfurt am Mains international airport. Your initial thoughts might include, "where do I go next?" ,"what should I see first?" , and "where is the bathroom?!" Frankfurt am Mains international airport will undoubtedly have someone kind enough to lead you on your way as it has more than 40,000 employees working there. The area surrounding the airport since it's resurrection has become it's own city with it's own rules and regulations. The city includes a variety of stores for last minute shopping or browsing on a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Through the airport there is conveniently a system for long distance railway travel. The local train known as the S BAHN can take you to such places as Munich, Cologne, or Hamburg among others. While waiting for your train you might enjoy some downtime at a casino, have drinks at a bar, or if you have more "adult" pleasures in mind there are bordelos and brothels for your convenience.

If you arrived at Frankfurt am Main to enjoy the multitude of pleasures specifically in Frankfurt there is of course a train that will take you directly into the heart of the city within around 15 minutes. From the moment you walk off the platform there is a barrage of artistic architecture. Frankfurt's skyline is unique for Europe with more than 30 skyscrapers. Among the largest and first noticeable would be Commerce Bank and Deutsche Bank headquarters-so should you need to change money and forgot to at the airport you'll have an opportunity once you arrive in the city.




The city center "ZEIL" is one of Germany's longest shopping districts. The area is blocked off for pedestrians to walk freely without concern for cars or other motor vehicles to encroach upon their pause for pictures and window shopping. As interesting as the skyscrapers may be, back through the streets there is much entertainment to be thrilled by. There are sporadic entertainers strewn through the street, who perform for your entertainment and would most appreciate any donation you might offer. The performers range from artists painting your portrait to painting the sidewalk, as well as musicians. The shopping area has a range of stores depending on your budget as well as kiosks for those of you looking to buy souvenirs. Should you be interested in the finer things there is a section walking distance from the ZEIL known as the Goethe StraBe which offers luxurious boutiques for those with more extravagant taste.

If you're looking for a cultural getaway you need not look far while in Frankfurt. The ZEIL is privy to a movie theater that exclusively plays films from the 50s to the 80s. There is also an Opera house known as Alter Oper that was built in 1880 and reconstructed in the 1960s to be used as a concert hall. If you're interest in history Frankfurt has a story to tell. The oldest and largest Lutheran church is set in Frankfurt. In St. Paul's church the first declaration of right was signs and it's first parliament was formed and held. Hitler was also sworn in as Reichskanzler there. West of St. Paul's Church is the birth house of famous German writer and polymath Johan Wolfgang von Goethe. Goethe's works span the fields of poetry, drama, literature, theology, philosophy, humanism, and science.






When crossing the river Main to Sachsenhausen, located on the south side of Frankfurt you might enjoy a pint at a village pub of a Frankfurt specialty "Apfelwein," (a delicious cider concoction) with some traditional German meals like rouladen or jaeger schnitzel. Your stomach will be full and your heart warmed by the polite nature of your surroundings. You'll have a great opportunity to walk it all off while visiting one of the many convenient museums ranging from art to history in the area. Every museum has something new and exciting to offer. You can spend days enjoying all the varieties as you learn of Germany and international cultural histories and artistic paradigms.



Before leaving Frankfurt city make sure take a trip, especially with the little ones to the Frankfurt Zoo. There you'll be able to enjoy a close encounter of the furry kind when visiting the animals. The Frankfurt zoo in some areas is more open to the public than Zoo's in the United States. The enclosures are wide and deep allowing the animals more range to walk around and socialize, but while having them in the open so that as a visitor you can feel more involved in your experience there. There are ponies to pet should you want to be more hands on. There are plenty of rest stops through the paths, and rest areas should you want or need to take a break and watch the animals for a while.

If you're visiting during August don't miss out on the 3 day festival in the city, the Museumsuferfest (Museums Riverbank Festival). As one of Germany's largest cultural festivals it can attract more than 3 million visitors a day. The festival includes numerous attractions including; live-bands, dance shows, several booths for crafts, jewelry, clothes and food from all around the world. If that weren't enough to make your eyes pop with excitement there is a fantastic firework display culminating the festival proceedings.




For those of you with a sweet tooth take a trip on Frankfurt's railways to Cologne and visit Cologne's own, Cologne Chocolate Museum. There you'll be privy to the warm aroma of chocolate that envelopes the building. With 2,000 exhibits and a 3,000 year span of chocolate history, you'll start by salivating over the 3 meter high chocolate fountain located near the entrance-what's even more delicious is that visitors are welcome to dip a waffle or treat of their liking into the fountain to start their savory journey.

If luscious chocolate hasn't soothed your sense, or luxury to you is leather throughout an Aston Martin, take a drive to Frankfurt's infamous auto show. There you can envelope yourself in the smooth shine of the newest models of your favorite auto lines. Since the auto show is an annual event there is always something new to see, making a trip that will continue to entertain for years to come.

From the moment you land to the moment you leave, Frankfurt has your senses engulfed in a veritable smorgasbords of assorted activities from culturally stimulating to soothing your hunger pangs. There is always something to do, and with the relaxed atmosphere and traditional sense in the air wherever you may travel there's no question why some call Germany, the Mother land.

Thanksgiving Battle 09!

You may be wondering whoever reads this why it says Thanksgiving ‘battle‘ and not something nice like ‘weekend‘ or ‘family get-together’-well that’s because my family, at least my mother’s side doesn’t get together without fighting.

On Wednesday I fought with my mom about taking my own dog on the trip since my Aunt already said it was okay with her and he had been to her house before. My mother wanted me to leave the dog with friends who had offered to watch him, but I like having my dog with me. He’s fun to be with and he gives me excuses to leave situations like family fights because “Oh, uh, Squishy needs a walk I have to go out, bye!”

I won the first battle and Squishy came with us. He was well behaved the whole time including the long drive to Boston. Of course we stopped for everyone to go to the bathroom and he went there, but otherwise he was quiet and never made a fuss.

We arrived in Boston in the late evening so we all went to sleep. Squishy and I went straight to the attic where we would be sleeping the entire time on a flat board futon with not mattress, I don’t know what I slept on, it hurt at first and then I liked it (that’s what she said...oh gross)

Okay, so technically day one while we’re in Boston everyone wakes up and from the moment we get up we’re all cooking and cleaning the house together. Everyone wants different foods and won’t eat this or that because of diets or whatever other reasons. It was getting to be too much so a few of us (Squishy included) went for a drive to a local farm that had a nature trail and went for a hike for about an hour or two. There I had to push and pull my parents as we went up hills since my mother isn’t used to walking that much and my father has a bad knee.

When we got home; apparently while we were gone my Grandmother was going through my Aunt’s things and didn’t like how things were going in her house. So a little after we got in my Grandmother was telling my Aunt how her house is dirty and she doesn’t take care of her son (my uncle) and basically putting her down until she cried. So, of course we all came to my Aunt’s defense and support her even though she didn’t want it. My Grandmother pretty much just walked away when we all told her it was inappropriate for her to talk the way she did and that some things she should keep to herself. Battle 2

After that we actually had a nice dinner, we even went around the table saying what we’re thankful for, and that’s when Squishy would not stop barking. My mother has always fed him from the table, so that’s the only time he barks. When you’re eating, because he knows you’ll give him something if he sits next to you and barks to let you know he’s there. Otherwise he will scratch at your arm to pull it town and hope you drop the food in it. I fight with my mother all the time about this because it’s taught him something bad and annoying. Of course she never listens and then my Grandmother started giving him food, then my Aunt & Uncle’s dog, a large golden comes in and wants food from them. Basically they act through the whole dinner that they aren’t giving the dogs food, but now we notice there is quiet here and there between barking which means they’re both feeding the dogs even though we’re all telling them to stop. Battle 3

Black Friday!

I, like a young Macaulay Culkin was left home alone in the attic while everyone went out. I watch movies online all the time so I’ve seen pretty much anything I would be interested in seeing already, but my family went to the movies. Some might’ve said, “Jenn, just go to the movies anyway to be with your family and sit with them.” That’s well and good only no one wanted to see the same movie, so they all went to different theatre’s even to see all different movies while whoever else didn’t want to see a movie went shopping. I’m not a shopper. I only like to shop for other people or for myself when I already know what I want and I pretty much go in, get it, and leave. My mother went shopping. She bought some things we don’t want or need as usual, but she was nice enough to get me new hair clips since mine broke while we were up there and of course I was thankful. This days battle was a fun one. After everyone got home we played games together. All having fruit in the titles for some reason, but we enjoyed them. We had fun, we laughed, but we’re all very competitive and so we battled to see who was the best and of course my mother and I always fight over who gets a higher score.

Battle 4

Yesterday was supposed to be our last day. We were supposed to come home Saturday evening after leaving in the late afternoon, but that didn’t happen. We went on another nature hike, which was probably my favorite part of the trip. Afterwards we ate yet again. I went upstairs to exercise and then a few of us went Candlestick Bowling. For those of you who don’t know what it is, it’s basically bowling only your ball is a lot smaller with no holes. The pins as you guessed it are stick like and for some reason you get 3 balls a frame and you bowl 2 frames a turn, but still get 10 frames. So while Candlestick bowling my mother convinced my father to reluctantly stay another night so that as a family we could drive my sister to the airport the next day instead of my uncle doing it even though my uncle knew how to get there and my father had never been.

Battle 5 A

Battle 5 B

While at Candlestick bowling my mother was fighting with me about something I wasn’t paying attention to so she tried to pour water on me. I instinctively swatted her hand away and water went all across her shirt and she got up and changed her seat. My dad didn’t even notice, but apparently while she got up she took my shoes and hid them so when everyone was leaving bowling I couldn’t go until I had shoes to leave. Nice, mature parent I have there huh? Well wait for the biggest battle of them all and the reason for the women fighting at the top of this.

Battle 6 The Thanksgiving Battle

We were all having dinner together at a cramped table since we had been using the dining room to play games. We shrunk in on the kitchen table with 11 people to have dinner. My younger and only sister has always been gross. She picks her nose and eats it to this day when she thinks no one is looking and some people may chew on their finger nails, she’ll chew on her toenails when she can reach. Where is this leading? Well we were having dinner and she kept rubbing her feet on me so I moved because they were brown from dirt and I had just taken a shower. She knew I hate getting dirty right after a shower. I don’t mind getting dirty in general, I mean when I baby sit sometimes we make mudpies, but this was over dinner and again the shower. So she sees she’s annoying me and so she muffles up my hair after she’s been eating meat in BBQ sauce with her hands for 20 minutes. I couldn’t help it, I pushed her away basically smacking her arm to get her off of me and so she knew touching my face with her dirty hands would be a great way to get back at me and she rubbed them all over and I could feel the grease from them on my clean face which is a huge pet peeve of mine. So, it was pretty much on right there. We got up from the table because I was going to leave and wash my face and get away from her. Only she kept rubbing my hair and face with her hands and then trying to tickle me in between so I couldn’t cover my whole face the whole time. Basically I had no choice, I had to do something. So I tried tickling her to get her to stop. Only, for some reason tickling turned into full on wrestling while my dad was cleaning the dishes from dinner and everyone else in the family was still sitting at the table watching the entertainment.

At one point she had me in a head lock and was giving me a nuggie so I literally flipped her over wrestlers style (I dated a guy who liked wrestling I guess I caught on) and she always went into the dogs water bowl. Then she had me in a leg lock, but I squeezed myself out of it as the dogs started barking and my mother slunk by us to get a video camera. At one point a shirt was ripped, a boob almost came flying out, and there were weggies for sure. Eventually when I had her hands behind her head to get her to stop and we were uncontrollably laughing from it all she said she was going to pee herself and so I let go because I couldn’t stop laughing, but what really made us stop was at that moment, my mother who was tapping the fight laughed so hard she started farting and farting along with her laughs. The two of us fell to the floor laughing so hard we couldn’t take it. My Grandma got up and threatened us to stop since she wasn’t sure we were really done and we both went to her about to tickle her and said, “we think we can take a 74 year old” she said she disowned us and walked away. Then we got up and took the dishes off the table and everything was back to normal.

Afterwards we changed to relax in the evening and I went downstairs to go to the bathroom because again I was in the attic, and my mom tries to fight me. She pushes me around in the hallway and tried to snap my bra off. My sister got that one on her cell phone and sent it to a few friends. All the while we were sending messages to our second cousin via facebook status update messages when he said he was on his way to Boston because we told him he missed the best night.

Afterwards we all played Apples to Apples, my Grandma hugged us and told us never to fight again, and we all went to sleep. Then drove back to NY today and now my mother, father, Uncle, and Squishy are eating pizza and I have to get downstairs before the pie is gone...or before there’s another battle.