To the train we skipped along a trail by the lake, under a bridge, into a tunnel, to Rathaus, or council house where the city government is located.

We ate bratwurst and currywurst and walked to get gelato. Then canoes on the Alster river, a network of lazy canals winding behind huge beautiful homes with personal canoes, row boats and paddle boats docked in cozy inlets. A big storm blew and we took cover under a bridge in our canoes watching rain splatter the canal surface breaking its glassy top into dollops of shattered crystal.

Dinner at Fishertube where I ordered raw fish not on purpose and ate potatoes, fish and soup from the plates of an understanding family. Espresso and pastries , more trains, home to the hotel by 10:00.

It’s still very much day lit and not dark until 11:00. I couldn’t sleep so stayed up and wrote and read until falling asleep at 4:30 am, thirty minutes after sunrise.

Europeans seem to have no visible obesity issues despite bratwurst. Now I know why. Walking stairs and sidewalks to trains.