Hotcakes, hiking and Hogwart's (aka Luebeck)

I have nearly abandoned Deutsch lessons and I only feel a vague, nagging sense of guilt about it. Last week I skipped Monday all together and only went to half of a class on Thursday. I think my and David's mood has infected the class. Most other students either don't show or leave early as well. Stefi, our teacher, is disgusted. She says she has never had a class like this. I just shrug and ask for the homework. I don't really know what else to say, what with my limited vocabulary and all. Since we are Deutsch drop-outs we'll be no help when visitors come, other than to order beer and bread. Those are no-brainer items.

Being a dead beat student has freed up all kinds of time. David and I basically lounged around and drank wine tonight while searched the net for a cheap trip to enjoy when Jeff and Amy come next week. It's weird how much time we've got on our hands. David is looking now at a newcomers guide to Hamburg to find a hobby. He skipped right over the language lessons section.

Backing up just a bit, David and I had nice weekend that involved pancakes, a hike and a trip to Lubeck. We decided to take it easy on Friday and get up early to go to an American restaurant we had heard about near the university. So, bright and early Saturday we mounted our trusty bikes and headed across Hamburg for hearty portions of flapjacks. The portions were not so generous but the pancakes got the job done - they were fluffy and authentic, not at all crepe-like. At 7 euro a plate I expected (but did not get) genuine maple syrup. Ho hum. That reminds me. I am making an open call to all visitors to bring syrup. It's pricey and hard to find here. The best I've done so far is a quart bottle for 20 euro. I would have bought it, but it was grade C. I didn't even know there was such a thing. We used to buy grade B at the coop and it basically tasted like molasses. I may, in my desperation, buy a little bottle to try it out.

After breakfast we took the city train south to a small village across the river and southwest of Hamburg. To our surprise there were genuine woods and even hills. Acres and acres of them. After Illinois, this was so unexpected, I was beside myself. We walked around all afternoon enjoying the countryside and picking wild blackberries - it was great. Stella ran like a banshee and peed all over. After our long walk we made our way back to the train through the village. You could certainly tell we were not in the city - everything was closed up as tight as a drum. Not even a cold beer to be had on a Saturday afternoon.

Sunday we took the regional train to Lubeck, a city founded in the 12th century. It was the seat of the Hanseatic League (part of an old trading alliance started in the 13th century) and was an independent city until 1943. As you might imagine, Lubeck is rife with old stuff - churches, an old (I mean seriously old) hospital, castles and houses. The best part is that the city is on a very small island. I don't know if the island was natural or due to design, but it made for a very fairy tale-esque setting. Lubeck is accessed through medieval city gates that look like something straight out of Harry Potter.

This is from Wikipedia:

Pretty cool, huh?

Our next adventure may be to an island via a catamaran. We'll keep you posted.

Of course, I still love Hamburg!