I went to Hamburg last weekend. I hadn't been anywhere in Germany outside of Berlin before. I don't know what I expected (Christian to me: "Alexa, you could have at least read the Wikipedia entry about Hamburg." Me to Christian: "I'm with you, why do I need to think?") but I found a great city. As gritty as Berlin is it's also very safe. Hamburg has an edge to it that reminded me of other large European cities. Blame it on the prostitution, its history as a major port (sailors!), or the Reeperbahn (Europe's largest red light district). Whatever the reason, it's worth an Astra soaked visit.

I just read the Wikipedia entry on Hamburg so that I could write this. I feel much smarter now.