Mommydrinks Abroad

February: Springtime in Seville

2013-06-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

Entrance to the hotel

Even though we skipped spring, I have a feeling Seville had a few. Back in February we spent a few days in Seville, just me and the husband. No kids. Kids were on a ski trip with their school. Score for us. I already did a small post with some pictures of the trip, but there were a few more that I wanted to share, to give you more of a taste of Spain.

Seville is located south of Madrid, smack in the middle, but only 2 hours drive down to the coast and a view of Morocco. And that we did. We did a nice drive one day, and returned for more. We went on a tour of the Bull Fighting Stadium (closed till actual spring), saw and heard some Flamenco Dancing, and discovered some unique one of a kind boutiques.

What follows are some of my favorite pictures that remind me of what a great time I had.

You can refer back to my other post to see more photos of this amazing hotel: Palacio de Villapanés AlmaSevilla

sitting room of the Palacio de Villapanés AlmaSevilla

There is a market inside the big mushroom building, and inside are the most amazing vegetables, and meats...

bunnies for sale :-(

Making it and selling it: One of my favorite Boutiques: Zález by Nura Gonzalez

The Mad Photographer

The most amazing milliner ever! Still looking for the business card...

Discovered on our drive south...?

In front of The Rock

All about the ambiance.

The Bullfighting Ring!

Last Night in Seville: Flamenco Dancing Show

Exploring new places: Our Trip to Austria 2012

2013-05-31T05:12:00.001-07:00

The Hooded Horses of Vienna (Wien)

Well Hamburg is a fickle city. It's like a manic depressive boyfriend. One minute he's gloomy, then he's happy. I'm talking about the weather of course. Although here, it's been mostly gloomy, with dark skies and rainclouds. But every now and then, the sun peeps around the corner, and what a weight lifts off your shoulders. All of a sudden it's time to put down what your doing, and walk out side. Like today! A gorgeous Hamburg day!

So as Summer approaches, and school ends, I'm looking back at some of the places I've been since we moved here. Berlin, Barcelona, Austria, Sevilla Spain and Amsterdam. A few times back to Berlin, and all sorts of great places right around Hamburg, including cool carnivals, swimming holes, beaches, towns, and canal rides. So many really amazing places and just right around the corner.

But I haven't been posting enough, and I'm sad about that. So I'm going to pick a few of my favorite photos from these missing spots, and share them with you in the next week.

starting with...

Austria: Our travels from Salzburg - Hallstatt - Vienna

First up we took the train from Hamburg through Munich to Salzburg. That was about a 8-9 hour train ride. It was great watching the landscape change from flat, to hilly watching the little towns whip by.
We spent 2 nights in the Sound of Music town of Salzburg exploring the town, the castle and eating Austrian delicasies.

Then we took off in a rental car driving through the alps to Hallstatt, a fairytale looking salt mining town nestled between the alps and a lake. There was only one way to get there, literally through the mountain. And no driving allowed inside the town, so you park on the outside, and walk in.

After a day in Hallstatt, because it is so small you can manage that in a day, we took off towards Vienna (called Wien in German/Austria and pronounced Veen). On the way, we spent one night in one of those Blip of a towns called Zelking. Complete with creepy old church cemetery, horses and the view of a ruin up in the mountain. I say blip, because you know when your driving on one of the country roads at 120kmph and this little town goes by so fast you barely took it in? Well, that's a Zelking town. And the kids just loved it. Twas family run hotel for generations, and the dinner was delicious. Best Fish I had (except the last night in Wien).

Next day we speed along to Vienna, and unfortunately, did not spend enough time there! Argh. But our little taste of it was amazing. This is a town I would go back to. My next east trip would be a combo of Prague and Vienna. Really romantic trip for two.

Salzburg

Walking along the Festungsberg mountain top towards the Hohensalzburg Castle. Hohensalzburg Castle is a castle in the Austrian city of Salzburg, atop the Festungsberg mountain.

Okay, making one of these Drindles for next year's octoberfest is my goal!

It's the thing to do.. collect pins and wear them in your cute Austrian hat.

Our hotel: Blaue Gans. Simply amazing. A mix of old an new.

Details... it's all in the details.

A picture moment. Remember Julie Andrews and the kids in Sound of Music going for a carriage ride... that was here.

A view right from our Hotel Room.

At the north end of the old town near the end of Getreidegasse on the vonKarajanplatz is the famed Pferdeschwemme or horse pond dating to 1695 by the Baroque master von Ehrlach and reserved for the archbishop's horses. The royal stables were next door. The central Baroque monument documents the mythical taming of Pegasus by Bellerophon (The Horse Tamer). Flanking are frescoes of rearing horses dating to 1732. At that time the balustrade and the rearing horses nearest the street were also added. To the left is a tunnel named Sigmund's Gate, stated to be the oldest tunnel in Austria, carved out in 1764.

HALSTATT

Tiki leads the way

A fun ride in an electric boat on the Lake.

Our Hotel. Felt like an old castle, and I think we were the only ones there. Our room was at the top, where you see the light on. Part of the three Heritage Hotels, this one is Haus Stocker. Over 400 years old.

Vienna

Just like Salzburg, the streets are filled with horse drawn carriages. This time, we jumped aboard.

Almdudler. The best new non-alcholic beverage find. A fancy kind of bubbly apple juice.

Tiki makes herself at home in the hotel.

The most amazing breakfast served in the hotel. We stayed at the Hollman Beletage. A very special spot.

An original. Did you know Pez was Austrian?

View from the Ego Schiele exhibt.

Last night in Vienna. Amazing restaurant! Sorry, can't remember the name!

Pez Treats from the Hotel

Two of a Kind.

With Spring Brings Fleas...

2013-04-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

These are photos from last years flea markets, but I don't think I ever posted them. So here goes. Spring is here, I think, and with it comes the Flea Markets. This is one of my favorites, right around the corner in Eppendorf/Eimsbuttel.

Word of the Week:Schwangerschaftverhütungsmittel

2013-03-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

So I know everyone says germans have these crazy long words. But, if you take the word a part, you'll see how you get there. For example:

Schwangerschaftverhütungsmittel

translation: schwangerschaft (pregnancy) verhütung (averting/prevention) mittel (remedy for/means).

In other words: Contraception. This might take you so long to say it, by the time your finished pronouncing it might be too late!

Word of the Week: Schadenfreude

2013-03-19T09:28:00.004-07:00

I've decided to add a new feature to this journal. Yes, I'm calling it a journal, because it's not really a blog. It's a travel journal. So, the feature is Word of the Week. I just keep stumbling on interesting German words. Words that compile different words to express something. Well, this weeks word is:

Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude is when one take pleasure in someone else’s pain. Not physical pain, like a sadist, or bully. It's not about inflicting pain on someone. No this word is a way to describe that not often talked about feeling you have when feeling a little riotous or pleased when someone else does something stupid. Something that we don't like to admit we feel.

Germans are a pretty honest (or forthright) people and I find it humous that hey have a word for something that in english would take an enormous amount of words and excuses to admit to the same thing.

an example..

A delightful sense of schadenfreude engulfed her when she saw that the man who had been tailgating her, and then passed her while honking, was pulled over on the side of the road getting a ticket from a policeman for speeding.

Schandenfreude: The word derives from Schaden (damage, harm) and Freude (joy)

Mushrooms and Oranges

2013-02-12T02:04:00.001-08:00

Espacio Metropol Parasol, known as the “Setas” (Mushrooms) is a modernistic sculpture above the Plaza de la Encarnación. Its futuristic latticework/waffle like construction and curved appearance are in contrast to the surroundings. Underneath the is the Antiquarium, where you can view the Roman ruins uncovered when work on the site began. At ground level is the Encarnación Market, where you can buy amazing fresh fruit, vegetables and meats. Live snails and bunnies anyone?

You can take an elevator up to the mirador/walkway at the top of the mushrooms and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.

I have more pictures on my canon that I'll share when I get home, as I purposely did not bring my computer, and am just using iPhone and a camera on this trip.

Vacationing in Sevilla, Spain

2013-02-12T01:50:00.001-08:00

It's been quite a while since the husband and I took a vacation by ourselves! Our week in Germany December 2011 an January 2012 doesn't count. That was business; looking for a new home, shrouded in expectation and panic attacks.

This came as one of the perks of living in Germany. The schools here go on trips with kids at a very young age. They love school trips. And this month the school offered a ski trip during the winter break. As we won't be here forever and it might be a once in a lifetime adventure we let them go: skiing in Austria!

So, we then scheduled our long awaited private holiday: Sevilla, Spain!

Here are a few photos of our Hotel, the Palacio de Villapanés AlmaSevilla

More to come next.

Flashback: Rowing on the Alster

2013-02-06T06:27:00.002-08:00

The only way to survive these endless grey and rainy days is to look back on the sunny months of yesteryear. Because, alas, it was once sunny. I know it was. I have to keep reminding myself of this. Especially because it's only the beginning of February. We moved here the beginning of February last year, and if I remember right it was cold, grey, rain here and there, and snow now and again... for at least two months. It seemed endless. And here we are again.

So looking back through my photos, which just sit on my computer these days, and not in a tidy little book on a shelf, I discovered these photos from a day out down by Jungfernstieg on the Alster. When the weather is nice, there always seems to be something going on. In this case, a Rowing Tournament.

One Night in Berlin

2013-01-25T06:20:00.002-08:00

Happy thoughts on the Train to Berlin.

Just two weekends ago, my friend Alex and I took off early in the morning on a Saturday, via train, to Berlin. Just two girls sans kids and husbands. Our mission, Jörg's Birthday party.

After we arrived, we had a few hours to walk around and explore. Mainly we hit Mitte and checked out all the cool stores. Unfortunately, EVERYTHING is so overpriced. Was super disappointed. Vintage coats for 300 euros. Troubling.

Okay, so the above two photos is from a previous trip, but I just love the big old and historic buildings around town.

Let the Party Begin... Alex and I had a quick cocktail at the hotel Amano.

I didn't want to carry around my camera all night, so thankfully the iPhone takes such great photos. But too bad it's so granny because of the dark.

We met Jörg and his friends in Alexander Platz, by the World Clock. Then we commenced with the schnapps to keep warm.

Limoncello. Our favorite of the night.

We walked from Alexander Platz to Kreuzberg. Maybe it's normally a 45 minute walk.. but in the icy cold snow, and stops for refills, it took us about 1 and half hours.

Jörg on left: warm party attire; Jörg and Alex at the Berghain Cantine

Me with Tina; Me with Jörg.

The Party was at the Berghain Cantine. Loads of fun. So fun, we didn't make it back to the hotel till 5:30am!

This is actually a photo of this couple on their way to Berlin. They had an all nighter in Hamburg. We pretty much looked like this heading back.

A Post Christmas Recap

2013-01-23T11:46:00.001-08:00

Christmas Outfit. Yes, more casual this year, but check out the sweater!
When my mom lived in Frankfurt Germany back in the late 80's/early 90's,
she bought this in Austria (right mom?).
Hand embroidered traditional sweater, shoulder pads removed. Lovin' it.

Okay, I know it's been a long time since I posted. And I know I keep saying I'm going to do more. But whatever, at least I'm doing it now. I had a lot of good intentions to write more on this blog–– sharing my experiences as an expat in Germany with my family––but the truth is, I've been very busy just settling in, exploring and just being busy. You know how it is when you can't define your busy. You just are. But wow, it's almost been a year since we moved here! We basically arrived Feb 1st. Some celebration is in order.

We have stuck to our goal of traveling a lot while we have temporarily made Hamburg our home. One just has to take advantage of seeing europe while here. Would be idiotic not to! Living in the U.S. it's such a huge ordeal to go to Europe; Long flights, expensive and who has the time? But living in Germany, a lot of the trips we can take; Barcelona, Madrid, Munich, Vienna, Berlin, London etc... are like a New Yorker off for the weekend driving to the Hamptons. It takes 3 hours in traffic, if not more!

I'm going to post a few quick posts over the next few days to week, of some things I just forgot to post (all those very busy mornings sleeping in and or driving kids to school, my volunteer work at the school, making jewelry, clothing, knitting, drinking, eating, riding my bike around exploring have just kept me from my other love: blogging).

To be honest, one of the more recent things that have left me no so hungry to blog, is that the old dialogue is gone. It used to be, on my old blog, long retired, I would get lot's of comments. Comments generate dialogue and it's fun. But these days people are just too busy. Or concerned that commenting isn't cool. Should I comment, should I not comment? All these things the blog world is now telling you is just complicating the spontaneity that was once there. This is a personal blog, so I don't expect numbers, or anything like that. But if your friend, family or foe, come on! Let me know your reading, and Maybe, just maybe, I'll post more.

This year Granny A came to stay over the holiday, so we added her stocking to the our five
(notice Tiki has her own)

I can't believe how many times I've been to Berlin in a year! 3 times. So cool.
Second time above, was with Granny A.
The ugly crane in the background is setting up for the big New Years Eve bash.
No we didn't go. This was a week before!

I did a lot of Glüwein trinken this past December.

These are the most amazing flowers. Perfect for the holiday and my sleigh elves.
Vintage by the way.. it's from my childhood!

A christmas activity: Monopoly... which seemed to monopolize the Dining room table!

Hints of Xmas Decorations.

As I prepare to set up for the Christmas portrait...

I get mine taken.

The Family Warfield

and with Granny A.

Oh how we loved our tree this year. Perfect.

This was my Christmas Meal. The rest has duck, I had this amazing fish fresh from the farmers market, with potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, green beans and sweet potatoes. Serious Delish!

Christmas Countdown begins!

2012-12-21T08:26:00.000-08:00

Here we go! Christmas is just right around the corner.

Here in Germany everyone is stocking up for the holiday feasts like mad! German Holiday tradition calls for a feast on Christmas Eve (opening of presents as Santa comes earlier here) and then two days of Christmas with the family: Christmas day One and Christmas day Two.

After 2:00pm on Christmas Eve all the shops close for two and a half days. And this year it's extra beastly because Christmas Eve falls on a Monday, which means you can't prepare on Sunday (shops and Grocery stores are always closed on Sunday). So everyone is cramming it in today and Saturday, with final bits on Monday. Oh, and let's not forget your presents too! Unless you were wise and started early!

So when things get crazy, and people are running around bumping into each other, and running each other over for parking spaces (literally this just happened), it's easy to forget good cheer and all that. But isn't that just what everyone is preparing for? It's so funny to see the contradiction of being rude on the way to the chapel, so to speak. Will you feel happy when toasting with your family on Christmas Eve after you've just run over some old lady with your shopping cart because she was taking too long to pick out her cheese in the dairy aisle of the store?

Thankfully there are always those wonderful moments of someone stopping to help you, even though they themselves looked as stressed out as you. At least here in Germany they know how to relax after they have done their work. Everything in order. The little towns are littered with Weihnachtmarkts where everyone is drinking Glühwein and eating wurst. So peaceful. Just be sure to stay out of the way of the aisles where they are selling their wears. You could be plowed over by an over eager last minute shopper. I've come away with bruises. But at least the hot Glühwein numbs the pain.

Frohe Weihnachen und Guten Rutsch!

2012-12-11T06:57:00.000-08:00

Today I just want to share a post I just made over at Tarts and Whiskey. The Kochhaus Serves Up! A big heartfelt thanks to Charlotte for telling me about their online service. This changes my life!

There are some serious challenges living in another country, where english is not the main language, and even still not everyone speaks it. Sure most people do a bit, but not everyone. English is a difficult language... but not as difficult as German. So little things like grocery shopping sometimes just throws me off my game. Not to mention, I don't like grocery shopping in the first place. Or cooking. Cooking to me is like a project. I'm game if I have a fun recipe, or something fun to bake. So that's why when I was told about this store called Kochhaus here in Hamburg my curiosity was peaked.

Read more at: tartsandwhiskey.com

A little help from a friend

2012-12-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

A very good friend sent this to me today. She must be psychic, because I was really missing her today. Must be that I just saw her and all my friends over the Thanksgiving holiday, and it reminded me just how blessed I am.

Diggin' it Downtown... Western Style

2012-09-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

Walking Among the Trees

2012-09-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago the boys went to a birthday party, where they were hooked up in harnesses, given some simple yet very important rules, and then sent up 8 to 10 meters into the trees to climb, crawl, swing, and slide to their hearts content.

When I was told they would be climbing, I expected rock climbing situations, but walking between the trees, 32 feet off the ground? I had no idea. But it was amazing watching them. They were fantastic, and conquered their fears. Next time I'll be joining in... maybe.

St. Michaelis the Archangel

2012-09-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

St. Michaelis, called simply Michel, is Hamburg's most famous church in the city. St. Michaelis is a landmark of the city. A large bronze statue standing above the entry to the church shows the archangel conquering the devil (or serpent). The church with it's copper spire is a prominent feature of Hamburg’s skyline and has always been a landfall mark for ships sailing up the river Elbe.

An exploration around the church takes us to where the sailors widows once lived... the Krameramtsstuben. All of these houses were built as living-quarters for the widows of merchants. Today it's home to several shops, galleries and a restaurant.

sources: http://www.st-michaelis.de/michaelis

Urban Wilderness: Naturbad Stadtparksee

2012-09-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

Stadt Park is a huge park just north of the Alster in Hamburg. At one end is the Planetarium, and the other a lake. The Lake is divided into two parts, one open and the other closed off for swimming. You can swim in the other section as well, but you can also boat there. The closed off area one of Hamburg's many bäderland public swimming pools. You pay, but it's very cheap, like Kaifu-Bad.

But, unlike Kaifu, it's really just a lake, with a divider in it. The floor of it, is kind of murky. But, still, really cool. Check it out at: Naturbad Stadtparksee

Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing...

2012-08-30T09:41:00.002-07:00

Visiting the Wildlife Park Eekholt

Determined to seek out new things, I looked up a couple of the wildlife parks here around the outskirts of Hamburg. There are a few. But we decided to go to Eekholt on the advice of my Deutsch Lehrerin. That "in" on the end of Lehrer implies a female teacher. Wildlife Park Eekholt is only a 30-40 minute drive north of Hamburg–and a pretty drive at that.

Zoo's can be depressing–small cages and all that–but Wild Parks are down right weird. Animals in a sort–of simulated natural environment, but with a fence. A bit better. And there aren't any animals here that are going to chop the neck of the keeper (here, here and here). Unless it's a bored out of it's mind Raccoon who likes to chomp his own wrist (see photo below).

But this was quite nice. The kids got up and close to deer, saw white elk, a crazy racoon, sleeping cat (yes looks like any old cat... but I guess he's wild), and a gorgeous Wolf.

They had to put this wild boar out of it's misery after it attacked Jackson.

Seriously, don't they give the Raccoons carrots? Or maybe he's just sick of carrots. Mmm.. this tastes nice.

It seems all german areas meant for kids have something to balance on.

'Sup, Bambie, how's your momma?

Kinda, thinkin' this is the devil.

No wait, this is the Devil.. Mr. Hob Nob Elke. Not to be mistaken for a Moose.

I know Germans love dogs.. I see them everywhere. So maybe cats are exotic?

Okay, I know what this is... an ASS!

Please Keep You Arms OUTSIDE of the enclosure, Ferocious Live Bunnies will ATTACK

Yeah, Your interested. I got you sucked in. Go see for yourself:

http://www.wildpark-eekholt.de/index_english.html

Please Don't Disturb The Driver... Or something.

2012-08-28T14:50:00.002-07:00

So the weeks are flying by and yet it seems like yesterday since my official vacation ended with our departure from New York to Hamburg. We really had a great 6 weeks in the states, but coming back has been full of surprises and small adventures. Lot's of canoeing, biking, discovering wild parks, exploring old churches, dipping into some amazing public pools, climbing through trees and welcoming our second visitor, Uncle Scott.

So in the next week, starting now, I'll slowly be adding some photos from some of these adventures. I've been a bit preoccupied with school starting and the busy days. So it goes slowly keeping up the blog, but I really enjoy sharing with family and friends, so I keep at it. Leave me a comment and let me know your there.

Here begins some special photos taken by Uncle Scott, during his most recent visit...

on our way

Love to share my favorite food spot at the IseMarkt

downtown

Adventures of Tiki

Man on a Bike

The Rat Haus

next stop

let's go on the canal!

renting canoes for a canal adventure

Cafe on the Canal... ice cream please!

Thank you!

A little working visual... The above was actually taken the weekend after our boat ride. But this time we sat in the cafe and watched the boaters go by.

A rare find... abandoned couch off Isestrasse. Strange.

All in a Day: Another Bike Outing

2012-08-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

Here we go again. At least the bikes are getting some great use before the long rainy days set in. In fact when I'm through with this post, I have to run along on an errand on my bike... the Gazelle.

I think it's safe to say, Jackson get's his crazy from me.

On a separate note, I have finally broken down and had a progressive prescription made for my glasses (new lenses too). I'm tired of looking like a granny with my glasses on my nose, so now I see all, all the time. It took a few days to get used to them. But you just have to stick with it, and now they are like butter. Smooth and creamy.

On this bike adventure, we decided to bike to our favorite park, then go around the alster. On our way we stopped at one of our favorite curry places, Red Dog. It was a yummy lunch that we also shared with our friend Ted (see Ted the mouse above).

We were biking along pretty fast, passing a ice creme "van", when I heard one of the boys yell, "Mom, ice cream stop!" Okay. Why not. And why can't mom also have one! So we did.

Verdict: Yum!

A beautiful day. There was a rowing regatta going on at the same time. There is ALWAYS something happening in Hamburg on the weekends.

And there is also paddle boarding in Hamburg.

Cloudy with a chance of Sun: Another bike outing

2012-08-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

So here we ago, another day of adventure in Hamburg.

Counting down the days to the first day of school, which starts quite early here, we headed out on the bikes to explore the Alster Park and our final destination, Yuki Fish, which is down in Hafen City. For obvious reasons the boys are hooked on this store (collections of great little characters) and were eager to test out a longer trip on their new bikes:

(click for larger)

We did a lot of research, and decided to go with new bikes, rather than used, because the bikes are so awesome here. And getting them a bit larger means they can use them (hopefully) for at least 5 years. In the above picture you can see them, and how happy they are.

(click for larger)

Germans (or Hamburgers) love tight ropes, or balancing objects. They are everywhere. And if they aren't, quite often you'll see a few blokes with a rope tying it around two trees. What's up with that. But hey, kids love them!

(click for larger)

As do I.

Here we are in HafenCity now. Showing off our bikes again.

A little sunshine with a chance of rain

2012-08-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've posted about the Isemarkt before. I've been hitting it every Tuesday, but I'm going to have to switch to Friday's as I'm taking on a new gig every Tuesday at the school. Assisting the Sewing Class! So excited about it.

But go I must, as that's where I get my fresh gorgeous flowers, yummy veggies and lovely fish. Check out the video at the end of this post (I didn't take it). It's a walk through the Isemarkt.

This is a view from my favorite breakfast spot. Next time I'll get a shot of it.

Demonstrating and selling a solution to remove rust from you bike tires.

My comrade in the quest to try every desert Hamburg has to offer.

Gorgeous flowers my sons picked out. The Lilly's opened up really nice (see below) ,
but boy are they strong smelling!

and more flowers...

On a different note. Hair. Hair is difficult here because of the weather of late. Warm, cool, rainy. It's frizzing out. But on this morning I couldn't believe how happy it was. Well it was short lived. It's back to frizzy now.

I think my phone clashes with my shirt.

The things you find when your not looking

2012-08-07T13:54:00.002-07:00

One thing that is truly frustrating and yet somehow quite refreshing is not knowing what's going on around you! Well that sums it up with me living in Hamburg. I'm always stumbling upon cool things; a parade, a flea market, street faire, gay men dressed in tights... I just don't know when it's going to happen!

I can't seem to find a website or blog, like Time Out or Daily Candy for this lovely city. Or if there is, it's in german and I can't read it. I truly understand that the language here is not english, so why would you cater to my needs. But come on! When I travel in the US there are always translations in spanish, and in New York and D.C. there are several languages translated. They understand that people visit and live there that don't speak english. It's surprising because even though Hamburg isn't quite a touristy city like London, Paris, Rome, Berlin or Munich... There are a lot of tourists here.

So if English sort of the universal language––um a lot of people use it, and it being a language that is even taught in german schools––it would seem that there would be more of an effort to translate. This goes for all the bank sites, shopping sites, etc... I know there is a huge english speaking community here, btw.

So, with all that said. My days are surprises. And on this day (Saturday), on our way to dinner, we came across a great street market, with people selling their used items, as well as antique items. Really cool old stuff. As I was totally unprepared, I had no cash, so no purchases made. But I really enjoyed the vibe and the quirkiness of it all.

Here a really good find. Old leather suit cases.

A bed frame? A chair with bone?

I really want to go back and check out that barrel. What is that?

This bike really caught my eye. Not for sale, btw. It belongs to one of the guys checking out the following stand. It has two seats and two handlebars, and two sets of pedals.

I'd like to see them ride this bike.

This was probably my favorite spot. Such cool old stuff.

Really a lot of finds reminiscent of Steampunk.

The market was on Lehmweg and Klosterallee. I think I saw a poster somewhere saying that it would happen again in September. Let's hope I remember!

Back in Hamburg

2012-08-01T13:29:00.001-07:00

So, no posting this last month as was away-home in New York. Now we're back and enjoying the cooler yet sunny weather.

2 weeks to go before school starts, so expect more of a photo diary of places visited.

Photos above from Alster Park.

photos above.. just generally horsing around Eppendorf

Abroad in the USA

2012-07-06T07:01:00.001-07:00

Home again, home again! New York, New York

Taking a break from the rain and sitting in the sun out in the East End of New York... Aka Amagansett. Gorgeous here, and relaxing.

Loads of things to do; sunbathe, make sand mermaids, read magazines...

Happy 4th of July!