the art of sign language

There is nothing like jumping on a plane to a country you know nothing about and also don't know any of the language. Good old Ryan air (Europe jetstar) landed me in Lubeck, an hour from Hamburg, late at night. The first I saw of Germany and for that matter continental Europe was some crazy guy's headlights coming at us from the wrong side of the road.... Oh wait... he's on the correct side...d for Europe.... ok cool, Phew!

I met up with Eva at the Hauptbanhof and we travelled to a mysterious location by train then bus.. somewhere called Altona. After a great cup of Indian Spiced Chai tea I headed for the futon I was to call my own for a week.

My first day exploring Hamburg started at the Landungsbrucken where I had a boat ride around the port. The tour was however all in German and consequently I didn't really understand a word of it but it was interesting nonetheless. I was then unleashed on Hamburg by myself and boy was that an interesting experience! So to give you some idea - I have never taken German, I know nothing of Germany and I just suddenly turned up in this country with a iealistic view of the english world.... Oh how I was mistaken! All in all I did really enjoy Hamburg and I got to know the suburb of Altona quite well in the end. I got to go dancing a few times and even once on the Reeperbahn... although not in any of the windows.... and Eva was the best. She and I just had a blast although I think she may be glad I've gone so she can now get some sleep at night.

One of my days in Hamburg I took a day trip to Berlin with Eva. Wow... talk about history and putting things in to perspective. This place is amazing! Even if there is a kiddie event with jumping castles and bad hip hop dances. We spent the day checking out gates and walls and my favourite place of all - the Gendarmenmarkt! Oh and I had my first Apfelstrudel!!!!

Things accomplished in Germany: use of a foreign lamguage; apfelstrufdel; pretzels; running in to some from home.

Germany got a 'tops' rating.