June 26, 2024

Return to Hansel & Gretel Cottage Area

I returned to this cute neighborhood to take some photos, while not buzzing by on bike. I really like the neighborhood nestled between a park, school, U-ban station and the woods. The A frame style houses appeal to me with their cute inner gardens. One of the streets is completely paved with brick pavers, but I have to admit I am not loving the German ( and I saw this in Ireland too - so may be a UE thing) oh natural trend - where they leave landscape untrimmed and growing wildly, in common areas or city public spaces.


The real problem with this otherwise idyllic neighborhood; is they are right under the flight path to Hamburg International airport which is a busy place, as the second largest city in Germany. Planes flew directly overhead of me seemingly ever five minutes, while I did this walk! It is loud, but maybe one grows numb to it over time. After almost 2 weeks I hardly notice subway sounds at Tom's. Even slept with window open last night!


I used German equivalent to Zillow Immoscout24 app to find the prices in neighborhood - range from 500,000 to 1.3M Euro ( modern one, style doesn't fit but just finished and listed in last photo). 

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SHIP SHENANIGANS - CLUE PARTY

By Pat Patrick • September 16, 2026
It's never a dull Sea Day on the Odyssey! We have such creative residents, that are always coming up with new ideas to entertain ourselves and have a good time. This plot was the calculating of Eddie and Michelle - a Game of Clue! The rules were simple - find the party venue at 8:30 pm, come dressed as a character, weapon or room from the game and solve the mystery of who stole the Ship's bell.

TERRACOTTA ARMY - XI'AN, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 16, 2026
In March of 1974, some local farmers outside Xi'An, China are digging a well and accidentally hit one of the great archaeological sites in the World! They were paid one day's wages for the find, roughly 4 USD! The Terracotta Army was dubbed the 8th Wonder of the World by France's President in 1980 when he came to visit and wanted to meet the farmers, the oldest was then, 89 years old.

XI'AN, CHINA - WALLED CITY

By Pat Patrick • September 15, 2026
Xi'An, China has been on my must do list , for awhile. The story of the Terracotta Army has fascinated me, since I first heard it. What I didn't know too much about, was the actual City of Xi'An and the walled inner City that remains today. It was built from 1370 to 1378 during the Ming dynasty on top of the older Tang dynasty foundations. There are 9 miles of City walls, they are 39' high, 45' to 50' wide at the top and 55' to 60' at the base. There are four main gate towers and the only draw bridge restored is at the South Gate. There are 98 ramparts, watchtowers, battlements and a wide surrounding moat. It one of the oldest and best preserved fortifications in China .