Beautiful Lubeck
03oct07
It was 7:00PM and I had just started my shift on bow watch as we entered the city. Lubeck, a German city of 250 000, is located at the confluence of the River Trave and River Wakenitz, just inland of the Baltic Sea. It is said to be one of the most beautiful Baltic ports, and we were about to find out for ourselves.
After what seemed like an eternity in the cold on bow watch, the all hands call for docking stations finally came. As the crew piled out onto deck, and the ship pulled up alongside, we threw the heaving lines to have them taken up by a port authority worker. As the First Mate attempted to converse with him, she realized he only spoke German! Everybody rushed to find Lukas, the only speaker of the language on board. He came to the side of the ship and gave the worker crucial information about tying the mooring lines. Finally, with the ship docked and moored, we were ready to take a brief look at the city until 11:00 that evening.
Despite being the battleground of various wars, including the Napoleonic Wars and World War II, Lubeck was as beautiful as it had been described. Brick architecture could be seen everywhere on the narrow, cobblestone streets between monstrous, towering cathedrals. The picturesque River Wakenitz ran down the middle of the city, bordered by lush, green grass and busy, bustling streets. As we ventured around the city, there was much to see. The constricted, long streets ran alongside miles of shops and restaurants, with English spoken virtually everywhere. The Holstentor, at one time the gate and military fortification of the city, towered above the miles of red brick and green grass. Bakeries held several varieties of German cakes and goodies, and strong, rich coffees. Internet could be accessed almost everywhere and payphones dotted the streets in this modernized and wonderfully advanced city.
But as all good things do, our wonderful stay in Lubeck had to come to an end. We had seen many beautiful sites on our stay in the city, and I plan to travel back there someday. As we motored out of the city, all I could think was, if this is only one city in Germany, imagine all the beauty the country must hold.
Lubeck
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Alex R
After what seemed like an eternity in the cold on bow watch, the all hands call for docking stations finally came. As the crew piled out onto deck, and the ship pulled up alongside, we threw the heaving lines to have them taken up by a port authority worker. As the First Mate attempted to converse with him, she realized he only spoke German! Everybody rushed to find Lukas, the only speaker of the language on board. He came to the side of the ship and gave the worker crucial information about tying the mooring lines. Finally, with the ship docked and moored, we were ready to take a brief look at the city until 11:00 that evening.
Despite being the battleground of various wars, including the Napoleonic Wars and World War II, Lubeck was as beautiful as it had been described. Brick architecture could be seen everywhere on the narrow, cobblestone streets between monstrous, towering cathedrals. The picturesque River Wakenitz ran down the middle of the city, bordered by lush, green grass and busy, bustling streets. As we ventured around the city, there was much to see. The constricted, long streets ran alongside miles of shops and restaurants, with English spoken virtually everywhere. The Holstentor, at one time the gate and military fortification of the city, towered above the miles of red brick and green grass. Bakeries held several varieties of German cakes and goodies, and strong, rich coffees. Internet could be accessed almost everywhere and payphones dotted the streets in this modernized and wonderfully advanced city.
But as all good things do, our wonderful stay in Lubeck had to come to an end. We had seen many beautiful sites on our stay in the city, and I plan to travel back there someday. As we motored out of the city, all I could think was, if this is only one city in Germany, imagine all the beauty the country must hold.
