Swanne

Our first day in Hamburg, Germany. We headed down to the city center to see the sights after taking a nap. The jet lag hit me pretty hard, so I perked up by dinner time since it felt like mid afternoon.

Apparently Hamburg is called the "German Venice" ... although really it is just a red brick, grey-skyed industrial city that can't compare to the glory and glitz of Venice. However, Hamburg does smell a bit like Venice at this time of year (whiffs of sewer!). It's been particularly hot here ... hotter than I expected, so that I am struggling to find cool enough clothing.

Hamburg also happens to boast more bridges than Venice and London combined. Impressive, especially after having been to both cities.

The swans of Hamburg are held sacred, dating back to the medieval era when the swan legends began. The story goes that as long as a swan swims along the Hamburg canals, or rides the Elbe River waves of this major port city (I think the 2nd or 3rd largest port in Europe), then Hamburg will always flourish. Thanks to the legend, there are absurdly high fines and penalties for killing, maiming, hurting, or (at least in medieval times) verbally abusing the local Hamburger swans.

This swan (along with others) and fellow ducks graced the canal waters near the Rathaus, the town hall of Hamburg.