Hallo Hamburg !

 Hamburg!

So you're probably thinking, Hamburg... probably lots of hamburgers there but it's Germany so ? Well you're right you definitely HAVE to have a hamburger in Hamburg. BUT that's not what makes the city so great. The minute I left the airport and got on the train, I felt at home. The city reminded me a lot of London in a few ways:

1. Architecture; Old , Victorian Architecture mixed with modern buildings. Some streets even reminded me of Italy! Well with the canals, and beautiful buildings of course

2. Green, Green everywhere! 

I was so suprised that Hamburg had so many parks and lakes surrounded by greenery. I mean it felt like a sense of St. James Park or Kensington!

3. I was back in school again, which meant city life. Navigating the train, streets, signs, and of course this time: in GERMAN. You guys, going into a country where you don't know the language is scary, let alone navigating it on your own. Luckily I had done an exchange program last semester with a girl named  Jovana. She stayed at my place in California and now I got to stay with her! She showed me the ropes and helped me find the coolest spots on the port and in the inner city.

I do have to say, my experience studying abroad in London made this so much easier on me. Being forced to learn public transport and directions for someone who is directionally challenged is, well a challenge! But one I could most definitely overcome. I remember walking around London to the point of tears saying, God I'm lost. Where do I go? The sun would go down and I would eventually take a breath, look at the map again and see something I was missing. I needed to make a left instead of right. Or a friendly stranger would say "do you need help?" I really do believe god sent me those amazing people and even gave me the strength to trust not only myself, but him, when no one was there. 

Here's some cool spots in Hamburg to check out: 

-Planten un Blomen-beautiful park in the city center, there's even a water show

-Hofbrau Haus; a traditional german food restaurant- all the german food you can think of with beers as big as your face and music that'll make you dance! The CurryWurst is AMAZING.

-Port of Hamburg; beautiful sunset views and bridges

-Alster- a lake center in the middle of the city surrounded by shops and restaurants, and major company buildings

-Reeperbahn- there's a lot of partying here BUT you can also find on the weekends food truck festivals with live music, bars with blankets when it gets cold,etc. this was my favorite place! Great food and dessert.

-St. Michaels Cathedral- BEST view of Hamburg from up top!

please comment below if you have any other questions!

xo, Miranda