Hamburgers & Parisians

As I look out the window of the plane, I am already missing the beautiful city of Hamburg. Mere minutes away and I want to go back. With so much left to explore, a return trip is inevitable... perhaps during the warm summer months next time.

The flight, a 1 hr 15 minute hop to Paris, is rather pleasant. Despite the short nature of the flight, Lufthansa airlines still provided a sandwich and 2 beverages at no extra charge. Granted, the 2 beverage thing was probably due to the relatively empty flight, but who cares? It was still nice. I had a cheese sandwich, apple juice, and coffee. The coffee wasn't the best I've tasted, by far, but it was caffeinated. Maybe I'll try the tea next time. :)

Landing in Paris, I retrieve my bag and make way to the metro station. The decision has been made... for my next trip through Europe, I will not be bringing a suit case! Haha, they are completely unneccessary and difficult to maneuver through large crowds. Next time, the pack I'd been planning to use will actually be used. Here's a useful tip for you: get a pack like the Terra 45 pack I picked up at Gander Mountain before I left home. I really wish I would have brought it instead of the suitcase. But no worries, we live and we learn. Perhaps you can learn from my mistake. :)

My first stop after picking up my bag is the newspaper booth. I purchase a map and make way for the metro station. Here's another tip: in Paris, you don't need to buy a map. Many hotels and tourist areas have free ones that contain a map of the city that includes the land marks, metro system, and bus routes. Don't waste the euros you could be spending on a great cup of coffee or tea for a crummy map at the newspaper booth. The free map is also smaller and easier to use.

The hotel is easy to find and I arrive in time to pick up a late dinner at the restaurant next door. Although it's a bit less relaxed than Hamburg, I think I'll like Paris just as much. So far, it's not bad and the metro system is so easy to figure out! Yay!

What a lovely day in Hamburg!

It was truly a magnificent day in Hamburg. The weather was lovely for this time of year and the company was spectacular. Armin led the way on a walking tour of his town. The place is stunning. It is a perfect balance between industrial, natural, and residential areas. Of course, I'm sure he only took me to the nice parts. There's got to be a ghetto somewhere, it is a city afterall! :)
We visited the city hall and parttook in a guided tour. The best word to describe Hamburg's city hall might be "incredible." With imense chandeliers, hand carved walls, and more, it is definitely not a place to be missed. I've never seen such a beautiful government building before. Amazing.

Hamburg via Frankfurt

When my flight from Toulouse to the connection in Frankfurt was delayed, thoughts of "Here we go again" flashed through my mind. If this flight through FRA had been anything like my first stopover in Frankfurt, there could have been a bit of an issue.

We finally boarded the flight to Frankfurt about a half hour or so after its scheduled departure. Landing in Frankfurt, I was delighted to find that I would not have to go through yet another screening before finding my next gate. If I had, there was absolutely no way I would have made it to my destination tonight.

As it was, I did have to run from one end of the airport to the other... through a series of tunnels and lifts... in pursuit of my old nemesis, A Gate.

As luck must have been smiling upon me, the FRA->HAM flight was running a few minutes late, itself. The small delay provided plenty of time to pick up a bottle of coke from a rather conveniently placed newsstand.

Landing in Hamburg, I was happy to find that my luggage landed with me. Who else feels a huge surge of relief upon seeing their bags come up on the belt? Armin picked me up and we went to his lovely apartment. Seriously, it's pretty bad ass :). As it was late, we enjoyed a glass of wine and chatted a bit before bed.