Hamburg, Germany is oddly reminiscent of Chicago.
After a rather quick train ride from Berlin to Hamburg on the ICE (high-speed trains mainly located in Germany), our surroundings seemed to have shifted completely as we exited the main train station and encountered brisk winds we were yet to experience in Berlin. Hamburg was scattered with a mix of old palaces and castles as well as more modern structures alongside the rivers and canals that flowed throughout the city. On a tour throughout the city, we walked across these canals on bridges that allowed us access to beautiful views of the city and the gorgeous homes that faced towards the water. Though I did not personally make it to the famous Hamburg Fischmarkt (Fish market) that had just re-opened this summer, I was able to enjoy the many other flea markets that were established all around the city. This included one flea market that was located right outside a soccer stadium where a Hamburg local favorite team was playing – St. Pauli. After becoming familiar with their logos and shirts in Hamburg, it was clear that they were a big deal. On a train ride, home for example, I could make out people bonding over being St. Pauli fans and talking about how they were fans despite being originally from a part of Germany no where near Hamburg. Though the temperature and winds were certainly unlike those of Berlin, Hamburg seemed to have the same sort of cozy and familiar nature we had experienced in Berlin. However, it is undisputable that the water surrounding and weaving in and out of Hamburg makes the city special. As one of our last activities in the city, a group of friends and I rode one of the public ferries not once, but twice. There, the winds and emerging sun combined to create a special scene to which we could say goodbye to Hamburg.
