Greetings from (ahem) the "schönste Stadt der Welt": Hamburg, Germany. One thing I love about this "most beautiful city in the world" is the hanseatic pride that can be felt here, which is by no means unfounded. Hamburg's idyllic streets lined with white-washed art deco residences ranging from austere to elaborate in decoration seem as though they were created only to complement its lush greenery. The mild climate here hosts robust, dark green foliage, which can be found in every corner of the city (although color can be seen for about six weeks per year during what they call "summer" here).
Hamburg is indeed "Garden City" in the extreme with 8% of the independent city-state's land under natural protection, comprising an extensive park system integrated into the city, as well as around 230,000 trees along the streets. NABU's Hamburg chapter (the natural protection agency) offers an extensive public education program including guided bird-watching tours and other environmental awareness programs as well as opportunities for residents to get involved to help the city beautiful remain beautiful. I'm hoping to get involved with NABU at some point, but for one reason or another, haven't managed to...
The Stadtpark in Spring: a five-minute walk from my apartment |
In probably more ways than I realize, my life here is better than ever: I've found quite a few friends here, learned the language, joined a nice gym, feel increasingly integrated in my little community. I chat with shopkeepers in the area (in a city where people are known for being distant), know where the good restaurants and movie theaters are, have a few favorite spots and dozens more on my list to explore. I finally bought a scarf supporting my husband Simon's home soccer team (one of two in the city). Hamburg is indeed my ideal city. I've heard many times before that "Hamburg is a big city that feels like a village", and I appreciate that.
However, almost two years after my "official" move to this lovely place and hundreds of little learning experiences, both cultural and personal, which have enabled me to feel happy and comfortable in my new hometown, I still feel like I have a long way to go. I get out, but not nearly enough. I have seedlings of ideas of where I want to take my career, but haven't connected with the right people to help me grow them (or found a way to do it myself). I've learned from my attempts at establishing a business (still active, but could be more) and working full-time here (didn't quite work out as I thought it would). Next month I will get my English teaching certificate and will try something completely new.
We live close to the "Stadtpark" (City Park), and sometimes I feel like walking through this park is my saving grace. When Simon and I go together, it seems that we can more clearly communicate than anywhere else. Perhaps the physical space of the park's meadow away from the distractions at home clears a space in our brains, making way for clearer thinking. In the Stadtpark, I feel progress. I should go there more often.
I hope that journaling here will inspire me to experience more and learn more about this lovely city, so that I can share with all of you.
Much love und ganz liebe Grüße!
Eure Jodi
I really want to spend more time in Hamburg some day. Here are the only things I can add:
ReplyDelete1. Somewhere in Hamburg there is an awesome Pan-Asian restaurant
2. Only weirdos (including myself) spend the night in the Hauptbanhof waiting for a 5 am train.
3. The security guards in the station are especially keen on nobody sleeping.
Also: Rammstein claims that it's Moscow which is the schoenste Stadt der Welt. What a bunch of commies...
ReplyDeleteMoscow? Really?
DeleteI saw a bunch of people fighting over a table in a Moscow foodcourt! Really coloured my impression that.
Uhh Moscow?! :) What-ev!
ReplyDeleteThere are a bunch of weirdos hanging out near the Hbf. You're totally right about that! Next time you're there you can ride the train 15 min to my place and sleep on our pull-out couch. We can hire a security guard to watch over you (and poke you with his night stick every few minutes) to make you feel at home, if you like.
As far as an update: Had an inspiring conversation with a friend this evening and am slowly starting to build some motivation again. It has been a weird couple of months :)