Hamburg- The Home of Mother Dear

Ben and I were a bit lazy when we first arrived in Hamburg. Since we knew we’d be returning later to explore the city with Opa, we decided to take it easy. Our Halloween day consisted mostly of James Bond and naps!

We did venture out during our stay to visit Opa’s church on Sunday. They provided English translation headphones for us, though unfortunately, they didn’t work. Still, the singing was wonderful, and it was refreshing to gather and worship with fellow believers.

We also discovered a great market and some lovely shops near the Eppendorf neighborhood, along with a beautiful park. Later, we learned that Hamburg is about the same size as New York or London, yet has only a third of the population. The city feels incredibly green and fresh, with tree-lined streets, abundant parks, and countless canals and bridges.

Carolin (Tonia’s cousin) and her husband, Eckhart, invited us over for dinner with their family. They have two children, Emmy and Lukas, and we had such a lovely evening getting to know eachother. At one point, the conversation turned to politics, and when it came up that Ben and I had voted for Trump in the last election… things got a bit heated. Still, it turned into a good discussion—one that ended on a respectful note, with both sides learning from each other. Mostly.

During our stay, Ben and I enjoyed some wonderful walks and an excellent slice of Kuchen with coffee. I am a big fan of this German tradition and will be bringing it back to America !

One evening, Eckhart kindly offered to give us a driving tour of the city, which we gladly accepted. It was a fantastic way to see more of Hamburg—he drove us through charming neighborhoods, the city park, the warehouse district, and down to the wharf. We also made our way to Blankenese and along the River Elbe. A cozy town with houses nestled on top of eachother in the hills. I would love to come back and stay here. It was a beautiful evening and a perfect way to wrap up our time in the city. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be in Hamburg and spend some more time with family. Someday it would be lovely to come back to this city with Tonia and walk through all of her favorite spots. < 3