Eating Luxembourg: Hamburg Pt, 1

You know the saying "As happy as a pig in shit," right? Well, next time you want to use that phrase, but may not be in the proper company to drop a four-letter word, try this one, "As happy as Matty in Germany." They are synonymous. I'll explain....

We were in Hamburg a few weeks ago staying with our German relatives, Emi, Michael, Nikki, and Lexi and enjoyed ourselves to the fullest (pun). The eating that weekend was of epic proportions. Sausages? Pfftt, please as Ozzie Guillen would say. Sausages were just the tip of the meat/cheese/fish iceberg that was Hamburg. It went wayyyyy beyond sausages, friends.

But first, let me say that our family in Germany is an absolutely amazing group of people. We felt at home the entire weekend and truly enjoyed being in your company. Really, it felt like we were at home in the States hanging out with our own parents and siblings. You guys are very special to us and we will always remember that trip and the fun we had with you all. See you again soon and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Ok, now onto the part about food...

After a short delay due to weather (of course), we got to Hamburg late in the evening. The next day, after a great breakfast we tooled around the house, popped into the farmer's market, made some grocery store runs and waited for Nikki to get in from Berlin. Here are some shots of us at the Farmer's Market.

Picking out some sausages with the help of Michael.

Enjoying sausages with Emi and Michael.

That night, we headed out to see the Christmas markets in downtown Hamburg with Nikki and aunt Lexi. It was a wonderful eating experience and Lexi spoiled us (me). Every food both that my eyes may have lingered upon for more than 3 seconds, Lexi was up at the front of the line getting me some love. The markets in Germany were also my first exposure to gluvine of which I am now addicted -- hot spiced wine.

Also, these Christmas Markets may seem cliche or boring to some Germans, but let me tell you -- if we tried to do something like this in the states it would be train wreck. Yours were tasteful and fun, not overly crowded and trashy, very well-priced, and at least in my eyes, seemed very non-commercial and more about having fun. In the States the Almighty Dollar would turn Christmas Markets into an over-commercialized joke with 8 dollar sausages made from who knows what accompanied by waves of white trash losers and/or wannabe gangstas. There are some things that really work in the States (tailgating, BBQing, etc) and there are some things like outdoor holiday markets and horrendous male facial hair patterns/designs* that simply won't fly back home.

Here are few shots from the markets...

Christmas market or LSD trip? You make the call.

Shot of Boo and Roo and Nikki and Lexi under the canopy of a carosel
as we watched the Santa and Snowflake Fairy fly thru the sky (and
wonder what was in the gluvine).