Latte Machiatto Anyone?

The best latte machiatto I've found in Hamburg is at Das Kleine Cafe, a cute cafe appointed with mismatched bistro tables, mahogany chairs, and local art work, and located about a fifteen-minute walk from home. And the cakes. They are amazing. Pictured below is a small piece of "kalter hund" (literally translated as: cold dog). The recipe is simple -- butter cookies layered with a rich, chocolate butter made with rum and espresso -- and the result is fabulous.

I've been thinking that working at Das Kleine Cafe (translation: the small cafe) could be a fun, part time job that would allow me to interact with the locals, earn some pocket money, and sample the delicious treats.

So I got a job there. The deal was just sealed this morning and I'm really excited. The pay is shit, but I'll learn how to bake all the fabulous desserts and make a mean machiatto. I'll be working one or two weekend days a month, so not too often, and the cafe opens at the reasonable hour of 10 am. It seems to be a perfect set up (don't need to get up too early, close to home, only a few times per month, a little extra cash, a little bit of cake). I start next Thursday and will let you know how it goes. :)

Same Same, but Different

My life is pretty different than it was in DC: I'm a student versus a working professional. I'm a stranger in this place, rather than someone who is familiar with the city and its surroundings. Instead of friends, the people who know me are family.

But some things will never change: I love chocolate. I play tennis. And I go to museums.

A great exhibition that I visited for the second time yesterday is a retrospective of Austrian artist Erwin Wurm. Titled The ridiculous life of a serious man. The serious life of a ridiculous man., the exhibition features humorous and interactive sculptures (among other media) that visually comment on consumption, productivity, thinness, obesity, status, and art.

His "one minute sculptures" only become sculptures when people engage with them -- as shown in the picture below of "keeping a cool head," which I did. These one minute sculptures take banal objects, like a dog house, chair, or a refrigerator, and ask people to interact with them with specific instructions. This interaction creates a fleeting work of art (most positions cannot be held for more than one minute) that is ever the same and also always different.

Another interesting component to the exhibition was a project Wurm did on idleness. He drafted rules for idleness -- watch TV all day, sleep for two months, don't close your mouth when you eat, be indifferent, take a nap on the office toilet, be too lazy to argue, and more -- which were then represented with photographs of him adhering to these rules. Oxymoronically (is that a word? hell, my english is in decline), in his quest for idleness he had to exert a tremendous and laborious amount of discipline and effort.

There were lots of other cool inclusions in the exhibition (like a sculpture of negative thoughts and a fat Porsche), but I'm going to take instruction from the idleness rules and go to bed.

Ciao, ciao.

No News is Good News

So, not much new to report, but I thought I'd throw up a post. The weather has been great and I've been playing a bit of tennis (especially since my dad is visiting and he likes to play). Katja and her boyfriend will be in town this coming weekend, so I'm looking forward to that. On Saturday night we're having a traditional German spring meal of spargel (asparagus, the white kind), ham, and potatoes, all served with hollaindaise sauce. Yum. On Monday we're going to a piano concert at the Musikhalle. And just so you're assured that I do things other than play and have fun, my work is starting up again and school is keeping me busy. :) More soon...

Aces All Around

Hamburg annually hosts the Rothenbaum tennis tournament, a master series event and lead up to the French Open which begins end of May. Since I got snubbed on French Open tickets (they use a lottery system and I didn't win), this was a perfect opportunity to see the top players in an intimate setting in my hometown.

Eva, a friend of mine from the tennis team who happens to be a graphic designer, and I went to the tournament on Thursday. We scored some sweet seats in row 8, with a great view and an afternoon of sunshine.
On the right is the number one tennis player in the world, Roger Federer. This guy is amazing. He played with precision, patience, and absolute effortlessness. Sometimes you could hardly hear the ball hit his racquet before it went shooting over the net. He beat 19th-ranked Ferrero (seated left) in two sets, no sweat.

Here's Federer preparing to return serve. A group of red-and-white-clad youths spurred the Swiss player on with melodic chants of "Roger, wir lieben Dich!" (Roger, we love you).

In addition to having the world's current best players (unfortunately I missed Nadal), the Black Rock Classic, the "tournament within the tournament," featured stars at the top of their class when I was growing up -- like Goran Ivanisevic, pictured above in awful capri pants. (I know, Nadal wears them, too, but at least he can pull them off.)

And Boris Becker!!!! Yep, Boris Becker. Who can forget the German tennis star who, in 1985, at the age of 17 became the youngest player ever to win Wimbledon (or any grand slam title for that matter). His distinguishable red hair is now bleach blonde, but he still wowed the crowd with his tennis.
Becker played Austrian Thomas Muster, winning in three sets (last set was 13:11!). The atmosphere was tremendous. Of course all the Germans were excited to see "their" tennis legend. Since it was an unofficial event, music played during change overs (think songs like "Eye of the Tiger") and fans shouted things like "the knees, Boris, don't forget to bend the knees."

Truly an all aces event.

Thanks, Mom!

Mother's Day was on Sunday and I've been remiss about writing about the special occasion. My mom has been especially supportive over the last few months and I certainly wouldn't be "going deutsch" without her. Her practical help with settling in to Germany has been invaluable, her continual encouragement and optimism lifts my spirit and pushes me towards my goals, her corrections improve my German, her patience with me is appreciated, and her tips make sure I wear socks on days that are chilly and eat my fruits and vegetables. It was an especially sweet Mother's Day that I could be here to thank and honor her in person this year. A belated happy mother's day to all the moms out there and the children you serve. To several friends who've lost their moms, I am thinking about you and know your moms are proud of the wonderful people you are. To the mother's-to-be, a new adventure and special role await.

Happy Birthday

This weekend, Hamburg's harbour -- the second largest in Europe and seventh largest in the world -- celebrated it's 818th birthday in style. Dubbed as the biggest port party in the world, the weekend included a tug boat ballet, several stages with musical performances, a promenade of delicacies (think currywurst, pommes, beer) and arts and crafts, fireworks, and more.

Despite looming clouds and intermittent showers, we started the birthday celebration with a boat ride from Teufelsbrueck to the Fischmarkt (the same trip we took, Krystal and Matt) and were greeted with a rainbow.

As twilight neared, the lights on the many boats created a festive atmosphere on the water.

While more than one million people were expected to join in the festivities, the damp weather seemed to have kept many at home. But the devoted crowd toted umbrellas and walked along the promenades.




The celebration was sponsored by Jever and they appropriately displayed several ads on the Captain San Diego.

After the firework display, all the boats tooted their horns for several minutes as the ships shuffled to get back to the docks. It was a great, loud, deep sound that echoed across the water and fit the close of Saturday's harbour celebration perfectly.

Three and Counting

Sunday marked my three month anniversary. I can't believe how fast it's gone. And while there's still so much to learn, discover, meet, improve, do, see, and experience, I'm fortunate to have had full and rich initial months in Hamburg. It's been a whirlwind, with a lot of different/competing/opposing emotions and experiences. I think that's what's called life! And at least it's not boring. I need to spend more time reflecting on this first installment and think more seriously about what the year(s) ahead will hold and what my priorities are. I will do so. Thanks to you guys for being interested enough to read my blog the past three months and for offering encouragement by way of your emails. I really appreciate it.

Pics

So, some photos from the last few weeks.

Above is me and Quasim at the Elbe River, where we went for a walk along the water and enjoyed the spring time weather.

It's really peaceful along the Elbe, with a wide walking/biking path that stretches for miles, mature trees, refreshing breezes, a few cafes along the way, beachy areas for grilling, and a great view. This past week I've been running here.

On the other side of this walking path is the tremendous harbor, which is the second largest in Europe and seventh largest in the world. They have several festivals/events during the year, and a few weeks ago a brand new cruise ship was introduced and inducted here. More than 300,000 people crowded the banks to see the spectacular laser and firework show.

Hamburg is indeed a pearl!

R.I.P (International) Pandora

Due to new licensing restrictions, Pandora isn't able to stream music to listeners in most countries outside of the U.S. anymore, which means while you guys in Washington are finding music you like through this awesome site, I'll be listening to my stale collection (guess I really have to warm up to German schlager or increase my music budget). If you have suggestions on music or sites similar to Pandora, let me know. Otherwise, keep on supporting Pandora -- a free service! -- by logging on, creating music stations, and enjoying the music.

Hamburg Meine Perle!

Here's one of the German Schlager and a must-know here in Hamburg:

Hamburg, meine Perle
Du wunderschoene Stadt
Du bist mein Zuhaus
Du bist mein Leben
Du bist die Stadt
auf die ich kann

Hamburg, my pearl
You beautiful city
You are my home
You are my life
You are the city where I can

Don't you wish Washington, DC, had a song like this?

Tanzen, Strand, und Bier

The first of May here in Germany is somewhat comparable to America's Labor Day -- many demonstrate or protest for worker's rights, and offices and shops are closed. Of course, this is also an excuse to stay out late the night before and perfect for "Tanz in den Mai" ("Dance into May"), held on the evening of April 30. I went out with a few acquaintances to a bar in Eppendorf to experience this German phenomena and sure enough, there was lots of dancing (and singing) to German Schlager (pop songs). Oh yeah.

Since today was a day off (and I neither demonstrated or protested, though Kat did), I hopped on my bike and met up with an acquaintance to check out Hamburg's several "beach bars." Situated along/above the Elbe River, these outdoor bars are only set up from April to September and have a full "floor" of sand, palm trees, beach chairs, music, drinks, great views of the harbor, and occasionally even a pool! There are seven of these bars running along the river, with only one having direct access to the Elbe. Here's a link to one place. It's really as though you were on the beach.

I'm getting culturally-acclimated to Germany and testing out beers more frequently and even drinking in the afternoons! :) Now, don't worry, I'm not going alcho on you. Today I had an "Alsterwasser," which is half beer and half mineral water. Yes, I'm still a lightweight.