Guten Tag!
So as y'all all know, I got to travel to Hamburg, Germany for work in November. Let me tell ya, it was AWESOME. I probably have one of the coolest jobs ever. I really don't know many people that get to travel abroad on the company's dime within 4 months of starting work--insane! Anyhow, I had a really fantastic time, and learned a ton. The audit was a lot of work, but there was also a lottttt of play :) (would you expect anything less?!?!)
Here are some of my top memories from the trip in no particular order.
1. Goofy bathroom signs. Oh excuse me, "toilet" or "WC" signs. That's the water closet for those of you who have lived in Texas your whole lives (i.e. ME prior to 4 weeks ago).
2. Canals. These are everywhere! Hamburg is quite the canal city (though obviously not as well known as Amsterdam or Venice). I loved walking by these everyday. Pictured is a lovely one from Amsterdam.
3. Freezing cold weather. Ya, this I did not particularly enjoy. It was actually quite bearable the first two weeks, but mannn was that last week brutal! I'm pretty sure it did not get above freezing, like ever.
4. Beer. I told you this was in no particular order (cause this would probably be #1...lets be honest). Now y'all know I'm a wine drinker..."MOST" of the time. I'm telling you though, the beer over there is aaa--mazinggg. SOO much better than the crap we have over here! The Hofbrauhaus was probably my favorite beer experience. Perfect combination of quantity and quality. Here is one of the many liter beers I managed to down during the trip.
5. First class. Ok, first class domestic...not bad. Internationally? INCREDIBLE. I had the best time. I really don't enjoy flying too much normally, but 10 hrs in first class with unlimited food, drink, and movies!?!?!--yess please! I love you ConocoPhillips!
6. Trains. I love trains! We took a sleeper train to Amsterdam...such an interesting and fun experience! When we got in the car, we already had 4 other guests in our cabin sound asleep! So awkward, haha. On the way back to Hamburg, we took the regular train and I really really enjoyed all the countryside scenery. Such a neat way to travel. America-- (the South in particular) you need to jump on the bandwagon! :)
7. Shopping. You ALL knew this would be on the list. Ok, the shopping in Europe takes the cake. Hamburg, Vienna, and Amsterdam all had incredible shopping. Hamburg has some of the nicest I have ever seen. Really affluent lovely area! Alsterhaus is a local department store over there and is AMAZING! It was by far my favorite. The top floor had champagne, tea, olive oil, and caviar bars--just to name a few! Not to mention all the amazing designers featured...and oh, the SHOES! I could have bought every boot in the store!
8. Pretty buildings. I realize this is the lamest name possible for some of the world's greatest sights/architecture, but whatevs...it works! I'll let the pictures do this one justice.
Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna
Belvedere Palace in Vienna
Hamburg's Town Hall
Amsterdam Central
9. Leaves. Texas has two seasons. Warm, and less warm. Europe has four. Four AMAZING ones. I was there during one of the greatest---I'm totally convinced. All the leaves were absolutely breathtaking. I was so in love and wanted to take billions and billions of leaf pictures....and maybe kinda did :)
10. Horse and buggies. My mom and I got to take a horse and buggy tour around old town Vienna--it was AWESOME! I highly recommend this for anyone who ever visits there. We got to see some amazing things, and of course had some great pictures opps :)
I am sure there is more to tell...actually, of course there is more! BUT--these were the first 10 things that came to my mind, and therefore are my "top ten" memories...haha. Or something like that. If you wanna hear more, there are only about 500 pictures on my Facebook to look at. If you get bored of those, shoot me an email cause there are probably about another 200 more I didn't post on my computer I can send ya ;)
Cheers! (as they say in Hamburg)
....speaking of...I forgot! Champagne for breakfast--that was so legit too!
