Follow the Red Dotted Line

We set out at noon today for our walking tour of Hannover. With a book purchased from the city's tourism office that explains all the important sites, you can take your own tour of the city by following a red dotted line. There were thirty-six sites on our tour. After five hours, lunch, and a water break, we conquered the city with the help of Jara!










Some of the more important sites:

A church called Die Aegidienkirche, and it was built in 1347...absolutely gorgeous

This is Hannover's City Hall

We took a crooked, glass elevator to the top of City Hall to overlook the city (Scott and Jara at the top). The elevator reminded me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's elevator.

Hannover's Opera House, which took 14 years to build back in 1814.

Lunch on the older streets of Hannover...I had bruschetta. It was gigantic! And we all envied Jara's caramel crepe! After the tour was complete, I celebrated with ice cream! The ice cream is SO delicious here...it tastes more like gelato. I'm in trouble! I tried explaining it to Jara, but she didn't know what gelato is.

Off for cocktails with some of Jara's friends!


Three things I learned today:
1. Water does not come with your meal...you must pay extra.
2. You are not supposed to leave money on the table for a tip, but give it to the waiter when they collect your bill. So our waiter went without a tip. Ooops!
3. German locks are upside-down...I figured this out after my morning jog when I couldn't open the door after a long struggle with the lock and key.

Danke

Today was my official first day in Hannover, Germany. I arrived yesterday afternoon after a long trip. Due to a 2 yr old kicking my chair all night on my flight over here, I was unable to sleep. But I made up for it last night as I slept 14 hours! Last night Jara welcomed me with a delightful dinner of schnitzel, potatoes, gravy, salad, green beans, and banana pudding!

Jara and I in front of her home in Hannover

Today Scott, Jara, and I explored Hannover. Scott knows so much about the city already, so I have a lot of catching up to do! We first walked through a large garden behind Jara's house on our way to the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, which were beautiful!

The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen

Then we took the subway to downtown Hannover which was filled with shops and restaurants. We are walking so much! I love it! I had my first sip of German beer, and yikes...it's heavy! I preferred the more "girly beer." They say it will take me awhile to get used to the beer, but I think it is also going to take me awhile to get use to the language! Germans sound so angry when they speak.


Three Things I Learned Today:
1. Danke means Thank you
2. Germans drive on the same side of the road as we do...they also drive on the sidewalk
3. You must go to at least 3 different shops to do your grocery shopping as there isn't one large grocery store such as in America.

Bon Voyage

So the reason I have started this blog is to update my family and friends on my adventures in Europe. On August 27th I will be up in the air on my way to Frankfort, Germany then taking a train to Hannover, Germany to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend. Throughout five weeks, we will make our trek through Paris, Barcelona, and Berlin.

I wish I could have stuffed you in my suitcase, but instead this blog will have to suffice! So goodbye for now, but I'll be talking to you soon!

But just a warning, I am what you call a foodie, so my entries may be filled with the cuisine of the land. But I promise to talk about some art, culture, nightlife, or the Eiffel Tower at some point in my journey.

Bon Voyage!