Kiel, March 12

We just can't get enough of the awesome shopping in Kiel! Here's a fun shopping story: I went to the men's store "Dressman", which is in no relation to the picture below. I wanted to find Britt some new trousers. This very spooky salesman decided to help me look (he spoke great English). So, he takes me around the store and shows me all sorts of terrible polyester stuff. Finally, we find a nice pair of plain brown pants. He asks, "what size do you need?" I give him Britt's measurements and he says, "Oh! That's my size! Is he built like me?" I say, "no, he's tall and slim." Which, yes, was a kind of mean thing to say, but I SWEAR German's find smartass remarks endearing. So, he finds the right size and says, "would you like me to try these on for you?" AHHHHH! Oh my lord. I was kinda scared. I told him no thanks and bought the pants, which turned out to be skin-tight-ode-to-David-Hasslehoff-trousers. I had to return them today! Spooky salesman told me today I should not go shopping without my boyfriend anymore. You're telling me!

Apparently, Britt isn't the only one.

Now if any of you guys out there want a cool pair of German underwear, you just let us know. We found the PERFECT pair.

Hamburg, March 5

Britt and I decided to take a day trip into Hamburg, which is about an hour's train ride from Kiel. It was an extremely cold day (which is starting to be a theme here), with crazy gusts of wind, but thankfully not much snow. We made it to Hamburg by noon, and proceeded to eat a frightening amount of bread from one of the vedors in the train station. Germans love their brot and now we do too.

We headed over to the Kunsthalle for some culture, and we got our money's worth. The Kunsthalle is four buildings, with each one housing a different style of art. One building was German art, one was contemporary, one was their permanent collection, and I don't even know if we made it to the fourth building. It was interesting to contrast say French Impressionism with German "depressionism", which is what I'm going to call it. Wow was it dark. We took a look at the crap people call "modern art", which we believe is a broad term. VERY broad. Oh, and I got in big trouble, but you'll have to call for details.

After that we headed over to St. Pauli to keep things lively. Ya know, you seen one red light district, you pretty much seen em' all. However, it was cool to know the Beatles were there at one time (further explanation below), though we never found the Kaiser Keller (the Star Club is gone). We went into an "adult emporium" (it was cold!), and again, if you'd like further information on that subject you'll have to call. We had a great dinner at a little Italian restaurant just off the Reeperbahn, and then headed home.

Also...word on the street is people want more pics of Britt, so I TRIED to get ahold of his camera and actually take some shots of him. I think there's a couple here that have desktop wallpaper written all over them. Enjoy!

The Hauptbahnhof. That's train station to you and me.

The Hamburg Rathaus, or City Hall.

View from the top of the Kunsthalle.

Lunching in the Kunsthalle cafeteria.

Anyone want to go?

Mr. King, looking dapper as ever.

Don't you hate when the best caption you can give for a picture is, "it looked better in person"?

Hamburg is one of the busiest ports in the world! Here is what the boats look like when they're not really busy.

I can't recall the name of this place, but I do recall they serve excellent Bailey's and coffee!

Okay, quick story. As we exited the "U" station in the St. Pauli district I started singing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in GERMAN (the Beatles did translate some of their songs for their German fans...oh, and for those not in the know, the Beatles began their career playing in the St. Pauli district in Hamburg...this was even before the Cavern Club days). Anywho, somebody get's all over my case about "looking like tourists!!!" So, we get down to the Reeperbahn, which is the main drag of the St. Pauli district and somebody just HAD to have his picture under the street sign. So, for all you world travelers: singing = tourist, stopping for photos does NOT mean tourist!

Table Dance! Girls Girls!