Hamburg rocks!

I’m not sure how many Americans are familiar with Hamburg.  It’s pretty far north, on the Elbe river.  It is one of the biggest international shipping ports in the world.  It hums with efficiency and energy.  It is also incredibly beautiful and stylish.  I love this city.

Adding to our enthusiasm was the fact that the weather was gorgeous, the days were long, and we were well situated in a pretty sweet hotel along one of two lakes in the center of the city, not to mention canals that put Venice to shame (mostly due to the fact that they don't reek).   All day people bike and run around the lake, families picnic in the evening, and sweet little sailboats and canoes cruise around.  It was incredibly picturesque.  Immediately after our arrival we rented a canoe for a little early evening paddle. 

And no, that is not Auggie's beer, that is my beer, that he is holding for me while I take the picture.  But another great example of the way the Germans are good self policers.... you can buy a few cold beers from the guys you rent the canoes from.

Hamburg is the hub for visiting Bob’s family.  Both his dad’s mom and his dad’s dad come from nearby.  We visited the home that Bob’s great grandfather built with his own hands, and raised Bob’s grandfather in.  We visited the remaining cousins of Bob’s grandmother.  It was very sweet to introduce them to our children.  They all seemed really happy to see us.  It’s fun to listen to what sort of questions they have about the US.  By this time Bob’s German had warmed up sufficiently, which was key, since there was not a whole lot of English spoken with the older family members.  These visits might not have been the most fun for the kids, but they felt really important to us.

Luckily, we hooked up with Bob’s cousin Tillman prior to coming to Germany.  He was our point person for organizing some of the family visits, and he also provided us with some good tips on restaurants.  Best of all, he invited us to watch the Deutschland v. England game with some of his friends.  (Always fun to hang out with some locals, and to my English friends, what happened?  Your team folded like a wallet!)  He also took us on a very, very cool tour of the city.  All good times.  Thanks Tillman!