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Germany & France, Sept 2022
Germany
The Panama Canal has nothing on Hamburg’s port.; it’s an international metropolis second to Amsterdam in Europe. Hamburg is clean, bicycle friendly and chic. Our urban adventure was balanced with the suburban community of Geesthacht, where we shared time with friends we met in Costa Rica.
Like most countries, Germany has regional differences influenced by politics and geography. For example, schnitzel is a southern dish and Mornin Mornin is the popular “good morning” greeting for northerners.
France
In France, knowing how to pair your frommage or cheese with wine is as crucial as food and wine pairing. Our Parisian friend Remi says wine, cheese and bread are all the sustenance needed. And please don’t commit the faux pas of smearing cheese on top of your pate. How gauche.
Our 10 days in France were mostly split between Emilie’s family village, Ameugny in Burgundy and Collette’s university city of Grenoble.
Ameugny is a cyclist’s paradise so much so that in the Tour De France rode through the area in 2019. The country roads are nearly indistinguishable from the 150+ kilometers of bike paths.
In short, fortified château’s, 1000 year old stone villages, sculpted hedge fences, and rolling hills best describe Burgundy’s countryside. Here, being lost is part of the adventure. especially knowing the next village is less than 5 kilometers or so.
France’s history is colored with conquests between religious demigods and ruling monarchs de jour all vying for power. For example, Grenoble was a major stronghold against the Nazi’s and its people gave birth to what became known as the French Resistance. Here, they established armies from the mountain villages and sheltered thousands of Jews by falsifying documents.
Grenoble takes pride as one of the greenest cities in Europe with an efficient mass transit system. Here the 65k students ride for free. Surrounded by the French Alps, the cities 1/2 million inhabitants have access to world class skiing and other sports throughout the year.
Germany & France, Sept 2022
Germany
The Panama Canal has nothing on Hamburg’s port.; it’s an international metropolis second to Amsterdam in Europe. Hamburg is clean, bicycle friendly and chic. Our urban adventure was balanced with the suburban community of Geesthacht, where we shared time with friends we met in Costa Rica.
Like most countries, Germany has regional differences influenced by politics and geography. For example, schnitzel is a southern dish and Mornin Mornin is the popular “good morning” greeting for northerners.
France
In France, knowing how to pair your frommage or cheese with wine is as crucial as food and wine pairing. Our Parisian friend Remi says wine, cheese and bread are all the sustenance needed. And please don’t commit the faux pas of smearing cheese on top of your pate. How gauche.
Our 10 days in France were mostly split between Emilie’s family village, Ameugny in Burgundy and Collette’s university city of Grenoble.
Ameugny is a cyclist’s paradise so much so that in the Tour De France rode through the area in 2019. The country roads are nearly indistinguishable from the 150+ kilometers of bike paths.
In short, fortified château’s, 1000 year old stone villages, sculpted hedge fences, and rolling hills best describe Burgundy’s countryside. Here, being lost is part of the adventure. especially knowing the next village is less than 5 kilometers or so.
France’s history is colored with conquests between religious demigods and ruling monarchs de jour all vying for power. For example, Grenoble was a major stronghold against the Nazi’s and its people gave birth to what became known as the French Resistance. Here, they established armies from the mountain villages and sheltered thousands of Jews by falsifying documents.
Grenoble takes pride as one of the greenest cities in Europe with an efficient mass transit system. Here the 65k students ride for free. Surrounded by the French Alps, the cities 1/2 million inhabitants have access to world class skiing and other sports throughout the year.