The main reason I wanted to go to Hamburg was the youth hostel am Stintfang. From the breakfast room and bar you have a magnificent view over the harbor. You can easily also reach the new Hafencity by walking along the Landungsbrucken walking path by the seafront. In the train we got a hint from a friendly boy to climb up to the plaza of the new Opera and concert house Elbphilharmony. From there it was a great scenery to the skyline of the city and the harbor. In total Hamburg is still kind of challenge to me, I do not quite understand that city, probably I need to go back once more.
After Hamburg we made a 6 hours train journey to Augsburg. In this train there was a restaurant car with white table cloths and proper food. Six hour’s journey was not feeling long when we could enjoy a nice meal with desert and coffee.
In Augsburg we staid at local youth hostel, which was also a good one. It is near the old town and very peaceful. Every room has even its own balcony. During our two night stay, we had to use one morning for finding a laundry for washing the cloths and the rest of the time looking around the city. Suddenly I also realized that I had been in this city during my working time at a paper mill Haindl Papier, currently owned by UPM. During business trips you hardly see the town, it is often that you arrive in the morning and fly back the same day.
Augsburg is hometown for Bertolt Brecht. He was born here as his father worked for the Haindl Papier. Later I also learned that Walter Brecht, who is famous among the paper makers, and was a professor of paper making at Darmstadt university, was Bertolt’s brother. During this journey I have first understood that not only the Jews but also the artists had to flee from Germany during Hitler’s time. Bertolt was in exile for 14 years.
Augsburg is also famous for is its water supply system. Part of it was first built already during the Roman times, and since the 15th century it has been used. It has recently received a Unesco heritage status. The town is surrounded with three rivers, Lech, Wertach and Singold, which get their waters from the Alps. Several canals are crossing the whole city area, so you can hear the sound of water where ever you go in the town.
