June 23, 2024
I had to ask - is it legal to carry open beer bottles in Hamburg?

I see people carry and drinking from open beer bottles everywhere in the city, so I had to look it up. Beer is an important part of German culture. The tax rates for alcoholic beverages in Germany are below average compared to the rest of Europe and there are very few regulations governing availability. Drinking in public is generally legal and considered socially normal. Above photo is from the subway.

I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!

Guess who's back for another Friends & Family Visit?!? My cousin Cathy and this time she came with Joanne - one of her best friends from 1st grade on! Girls trip!! They arrived for the entire Fiji leg of the trip November 28th thru December 6th. Exciting!! And they brought a whole suitcase of goodies for me and my friends from the states! It was an early Christmas!

