Montag 27th Februar 2007 - Currywurst, i love

The Flats a no-go, sorry! The boys said its too far away. I'll keep looking though.. I did find a Rock'n'Roll Dance club - and im in contact with the teacher, so i'll let you know how that goes.. Getting busy out here.. But loving it. Tomorrow is lunch with Marcel and a well needed trip to the gym, amongst some other fun festivities that I shant disclose.. because its 2am and I need sleeeeeeeeeeeeep. I have a belly full of Currywurst - all thanks to Andreas - baaad influence! so tired....

Sonntag 25th Februar 2007 - Big-Mac'in it

Good start to my healthy eating plan.. Yesterday Mo, Marcel, Lorenzo & I indulged in a big-mac eating contest at Macdonalds. Yuuuk. Have to give it to the boys; 4 big macs, 2 large cola's and 20 chicken nuggets.. each. Except Marcel, just the burgers for him. Boooh. Okay, so I thought I could give them a run for their money and eat a whopping 3 burgers and a pack of curly fries. I couldn't even manage two - Looser! Almost every person walking by looked either disgusted or humoured..

To make matters better, I had to digest my 1.5 burgers whilst running around a hot, sweaty bar - packed with crazy rugby boys screaming and pushing. Did I feel a little sick? Yeah! Amazing night though, and it has to be said, the pub last night was almost busier than Karneval.. Managed to finish up at 1am, but somehow found myself still there at 4am with a vodka orange in my hand - it was free drinks after all ;) Working with a fellow Scotsman, but he doesnt roll his RRR's, and quite frankly sounds English, so im afraid he will no be excepted into the 'ScotHam's' assosciation. Sorry Colin.

Samtag 24th Februar 2007 - 'What a feeeeling'

Like the picture of my new house in America?? So much to tell: It really has been an eventful couple of days.. everything has fallen into place, in just 1 day. Strange how that happens.. Well, I potentially have found a flat with 2 girls, in a nice area, I think. Also landed a crackin job where they encourage drunkaness on shift and always demand a party afterwards - first shift = 7 FREE measures of Vodka & Orange, banterous punters, lovely, lovely colleagues and after-shift partying until 9am - Does it get any better? Starting my German lessons in 1 week with Colon and already have some new Hanseatics friends eager to help.. Deutschlanders will do anything to improve their English!

Job - check, German classes - check, Gym membership - check, Flat - check.. and for a little added bonus - Today I got thee greatest news; that the extremely posh Camp Robin Hood in Maine, USA have hired me as their Dance Teacher, so now I reeeally have to ban currywurst and hippos.. sob. Joining the fitness company near Marcels work this week, so at least im trying?! But anyway, teaching dance in America - for me, it doesnt get better :) So, ja, being here in Hamburg is beginning to feel a litte more permenant & not just a holiday. Is a nice feeling. I, Debbie, live in Germany! (Iv wanted to say that since I was 12..)

Mittwoch 21st Februar 2007

I have some shocking.. and slightly disturbing news. I, (yes..me, Debbie).. finished an entire book in less than one day. Yes Andy, all by myself! Can you beleive it.. its a first! Tomorrow i'm going to pick up the sequel, and i'm excited :) So today, Moe dragged me to a huge discount store and forced me to buy chilled currywurst and 3 boxes of Kinder hippos.. I swear, I didnt want to.. But 4 hippos have been brutilised already.. in one day. Tsssk. I really am now looking for a gym, hope to join one this week. How am I gonna manage living in Germany and getting fit for dance teaching?? Impossible!

I also found a new 'favourite' to add to my already long list, and thank goodness its good for me: 2litre Vittel: Maxi Grip and the 1Litre bottles - Germanys great! I would tell you what I did with my day, but I dont know the names of te places.. sorry. But this eve I have the flat all to myself to have a girly pampering night.. Espa creams, silky bubble bath and nail paint at the ready.. ahh, its the life..

Dienstag 20th Februar 2007 - Such a nice day

Firstly can I compliment myself in doing ssooo well updating my blog daily, but who knows how long it will last :) As u can see from my title, today was wonderful! I had a nice early wakeup and headed off to the city.. Had lunch in Cha Cha with Marcelio and he told me about getting shipped off the the army when you finish school.. Yikes. But thank goodness, only the boys! Us ladies are safe to paint our nails pretty and 'do lunch'. Anyway, I found the book recommeded to me by Marlene last week, "He's just not that into you: A girls no excuses truth to understanding guys", (English copy, of course) and was so desperate to start reading, that I quickly ran around some shops picking up essentials; thick knee high socks and a long hooded zipper for Moes cold room.

And went to the nearest coffee house - Balzac. Ordered a latte and sat back on the leather sofa on the top floor.. nobody else around and started reading.. bliss - it was so good, that 2 hours later, I realised it was 6pm.. oops. The only reason I realised that so much time had passed is when a loved-up couple sat directly infront of me while I was reading about how "hes just not into you..." (Typical!) They couldnt stop kissing and giggling... I had to leave! (Don't I sound like a moany old bat, heh). But really, the book is just hilarious, and so so true.. makes u realise alooot. Courtney: its perfect for you baby. I will ship it over to you asap. I looove this book. Girl Power!

Montag 19th Februar 2007 - Yawn

Got your card today mum, waaaahhhh, I got a little upset.. . Didnt manage to catch up on much sleep last night so still feeling the effects of Karnival and Sunday night.. hence the title for todays blog. Headed over to Marcels for some lunch - a traditional dish with noodles and GOOSE? twas delicious... have u noticed my entire trip so far is about FOOD; must get my joggers and running shoes on this week.....

Ended up having yet another lazy day, this time at Marcels with Moe, curled up watching a hilarious movie about Ocktoberfest. But tomorrow, after a looong snooze on the fat boy.. Im finally getting into the city centre for some good, old fashioned touring and shopping. Also meeting Marcel at lunch, for possibly currywurst no.6 - Could be exciting.. hehe

Sonntag 18th Februar 2007 - Eeuuggghhh

Feeling euuugghh today.. thanks Julian! Schnapps.. bleuugh. Couldnt finish my currywurst - not happy. wee bit worried. To add to my day: ummm, well feeling better. Went to a Korean resteraunt tonight with Moe, Uta and Marcel, the food is soo yummy, and actually pretty healthy. So its kinda been a good food day at most: I tasted the yummiest scrambled egg this morning, (thanks again Julian) and he even disclosed of the secret ingredient.. the green stuff :)

Spent the rest of the night at Marcels watching "the perfume" - its sooo long, good, but long, especially when ur super-dooper-sleepy from the night before. (thanks number.3 Julian). Quite a productive day really.. laying around in slacks moaning about a sore tum, which was later cured by a magic pill. (Final thank you to Julian for providing the heilung).. Enough mentions for you Jools???

Samtag 17th Februar 2007 - Cologne Karnival

If I told you, that the best part of the last 3 days wasn´t eating TWO trayloads of Currywurst -one being the best in Germany- would you be worried? Moe, nils, Marlene and I drove the 5 hours to Cologne at the very early hours for Karnival. A festival of booze and madness... Karnival was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. and the people were even better.. so friendly, a biig bit crazy and just FUN! The streets were mobbed, like you cant imagine.. everyone screaming ALAF as u pass by. And the beer is flowing, so the crowds dont matter so much, it even adds to the madness.

Marlene and I took 20 minutes to fight our way to the bathroom of a club. TWENTY MINUTES- during this we were covered in beer, shoved up and down, and up and down, and.. a flight of stairs. Also came close to death-by-crushing. Scarrry, but so so funny. the nights were filled with currywurst, beer, dancing like loonies in the street and generally just screaming chants of german songs to the crowds of thousands. so so so so so so so good. and all thanks to Marlene and her lovely auntie for having us. and of course nils and moe who made it that little bit more nuttified.. ALAF!

Valentines

Hallo. Wie Gehts? Im learning.. slowly but surely. Already added some sentences & understand a few words in convo. Whoo. So today Moe and I have been hunting for some overalls to complete the Colonge costumes. To explain... We´re going to Colonge for 2 nights where theres a festival, everyones gets into costume and Moe and Nils had the idea to become an Abschleppservice from Hamburg.. Like a tow-pick-up service. I think in Germany the word also means when u meet a girl or guy, so the clever twosome made a double meaning.. genius :)

But heres the : BEST bit - Today i had CURRYWURST.. I am complete. We met Marcel and his workfriend Brita in town and devoured the bliss that is Currywurst pomme frites. Quick coffee in the German equivilent to starbucks and back on the road to complete the costumes.. Keep ur eyes peeled for the pics to come - its a 7am start with a 5 hour drive to Colonge tomorrow, all worth it I think.

Dienstag 13th Februar - First full day in Ham

Sooooooo, Today we had a few things to do: Ikea for items etc. For lunch we met with Nils at a burgerhaus, supposidly the best in Hamburg, really should have tried it :) Moe had to work so Nils and I took a stroll around a huggee shopping mall, i managed not to buy too much, got myself hooked up with a German sim. In the evening Moe and I went to Uta & Marcels for a German-Chinese and watched a DVD.. AlphaDog.. creepy.

Feels strange to be here, like its a week long holiday.
Still no Currywurst.. need.. currywurst...

Montag 12th Februar - Arrival in Ham

......Not with Ease. Super schleepy as im pulling on some jeans at 4am - Arrived on time, luckily as the security check queues were loong, about 1 hour wait. All boarded and settled when the pilot tells us we will be half and hour delayed to Frankfurt.. meaning we have only 25mins to make it to the other side of the terminal for our connecting flight. Uh oh. To make things EVEN better - at security - they didnt like the look of me and took me to a cubicle where I was searched top to bottom, she took off my socks and searched between my toes.... what?!?!? anyhoo - at that point I was 10 mins late ain, the flight for my flight to Hamburg. Luckily yet again, the flight was delayed. I MADE IT:: i was on my way.

But wait.. My seat was double booked (i promise.. its all true). The lady got moved further up and I snoozed for 55mins. Yay! I arrived in Ham, surprisingly with my luggage in order, and Moo was waiting! He took me to see Marcel and we met for lunch near his work - Turkish lunch, mmm. Later on was a friend of Marcels Birthday, so went there for a bit and lil old me started feeling the vino and beer pretty soon in.. whoopsie. So nice to be here...

Sonntag 11th Februar - The Cancellation

Soo.. What an evening. We arrived at the airport nice and early to see the flight was delayed over one hour. Not so bad, but then again for another hour.. and again.. arghh. The gate then changed and we all trapsed across the terminal where we were told our flight was cancelled. To go collect our luggage & speak with the BA staff. As u can guess - the queues were the size of an entire flight - luckily I was in the middle.

We were shipped off to the Quality Hotel in Edinburgh and treated to a 3 course dinner.. (not so bad). Already felt like I arrived in Hamburg, the resteraunt was full of Germans from the flight - and even a German waiter. Crazy! So, all alone in the hotel room, I soaked a bath and prepared for the 4am wake-up call to board my flight the next day. Great start to my trip.