Relax, Mom, everything is okay. (I have to keep the blog interesting, you know, and 'Safe in Hamburg' would be too pedantic an introduction. But, for the record, I am safe und alles ist okay!)

So, here's a quick rundown - quick because I'm exhausted and using a deutsche kezboard so the y and z are in the wrong place. Ha! Okaz, a little hzsteria here from lack of sleep.

So I got to LAX, breeyed through securitz (see what I mean about the keyboard? it's doubly bad because I type fast). Got settled at my gate and was halfway done with my book when an announcement came over the loudspeaker paging me to the security checkpoint for a 'lost item'. I was surprised because I, of course, had everything - my one bag, my water, my moneybelt. I trek back to security and the guy looks me up and down and hands me my passport. Eek! I was like, where did you get that? Didn't even know that I had dropped it. Hello!!!! So just a little nudge there for me to pay attention.

I'll sum up the rest: Long flight. Little sleep. Heathrow under construction - like LAX - weird gates - more on that later. Rented the car in Hamburg - got an automatic for more because I was tired. Had my first moment of total exhliration driving through the streets of Hamburg in the snazzy little blue Opel they gave me. Everyone here drives like maniacs. Love it and feel totally at home. Took forever to park - Gina - think Portland NW 21st streets only the streets are even narrower and COBBLESTONE. Plus they park on the sidewalk so they can fit more cars. Ha!! I felt like the guy on The Transporter. Even had the little English accent goin' on since I'd had a spot o' tea on the British Airways flight down. Only got lost a little bit. Found hostel, found ATM, found food. Took shower. Am good and going to sleep.

Love zou all! (The guy at the hostel desk tells me if I don't like this keyboard he has a French laptop at home. Ha. Hope you can decipher it all okay. On the other hand, umlauts are easy! TschÜs!)