Fruit Salad and Mixed Veg

I think this is my 4th room in Germany.


Isn't it pretty?

I have some postcards and photos and I wanted to put them on the wall...without damaging the wall. So, I bought some string for 50 cents and then used paper clips to attach the postcards and photos to the string. Clever:)


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I have found that it is possible to volunteer for the Cancer Council. I think I'll do it:) I am extrememly anti-smoking and I think it is better to do something instead of just complaining... 'Why do people have to smoke around me!? I'm going to die!!!!'

So, now I am going to 'do something' and post some information here. Information from here

Cancer causing chemicals in tobacco smoke include:

* Benzene;
* 2-naphthylamine;
* 4-aminobiphenyl;
* Chromium;
* Cadmium;
* Vinyl chloride;
* Ethylene oxide;
* Arsenic;
* Beryllium;
* Nickel; and
* Polonium-210.1,2

Toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke include:

* Nicotine – the addictive agent in tobacco smoke;
* Formaldehyde – used in preservation of laboratory specimens;
* Ammonia – used in toilet cleaner;
* Hydrogen Cyanide – used in rat poison;
* Acetone – used in nail polish remover;
* Carbon monoxide - found in car exhaust;
* Tar - particulate matter in cigarette smoke;
* Toluene - found in paint thinners;
* Phenol – used in fertilisers.

With approximately one non-smoker dying due to secondhand smoke exposure for every eight smokers dying of smoking related disease6 it is no surprise that secondhand smoke has been designated a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).5 Further, about half of regular smokers will die of a smoking-related disease and have a reduced life expectancy of about 13 to 16 years as compared with non-smokers.7,8

A lot was happening this weekend in Hamburg. Actually, a lot is happening all the time in Hamburg. Even if you think there is nothing to do, you can go for a walk and you will find something; perhaps a street festival, a flea market or a running race.

I went to three events this weekend:

Cultural Festival
The Festival of Cultures was held Friday until Sunday on the uni campus. There you could listen to world music, buy a range of food from around the world and also purchase clothing, wooden items and new bank accounts.

I went there quite randomly. I was at a Couchsurfing meeting for five minutes and met two Greek girls there. They mentioned they were going to the festival and I decided to go with them. Now I have two more friends




Schanzenfest
On Saturday the Schanze was once again filled with tables. If you were looking for old shoes, coffee grinders or old records from bands you have never heard of, the Schanzenfest was the place to be. I purchased a waffle, kindly made by some guy who thought it was weird that I didn't want icing sugar on my waffle.

The Schanzenfst is kind of dodgy and I like it. Anyone can set up a table there and sell stuff. You can even set up a BBQ and sell sausages in bread. I don't know what the health department thinks of this festival....


Later in the night, this time at about 1 or 2am, someone started trouble with the police. The police once again responded with trucks that can spray water at people (what are they called in English? Since I have been in Germany I have forgotten English words)


Gruenspan
Last night I went to Gruenspan, just off the Reeperbahn. I went with my future housemate who is from England and doesn't eat cucumber sandwiches. I wanted to go, but not alone...he wanted to go, but not alone...but didn't know that I wanted to go to...I rang him and then he said that he'd go with me, so then we went there....What a wonderful explanation!

We enjoyed a Russian pear tasting shot and a beer from Hamburg. To me, all beer tastes the same.... We sat and talked for a while and acted very prude, wondering why the Germans were dancing on the tables...OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PEOPLE! In Australia, you are NOT allowed to dance on the bar, chairs or tables. It's quite funny watching the Germans go crazy because they are normally quite serious. Germans are the people who when acting as pedestrians, wait at red traffic lights when there are NO cars.

Oh I forgot to tell you that we were on the GUESTLIST! HA! The crowd was quite good and I don't think I saw any bogans. The door people at the bar are pretty cool We saw Shantel, who played a DJ set...a little gypsie/Russian/Serbian...all what you expect to be totally uncool. But it was so cool! Everyone was dancing and having a great time...except for that possibly stoned guy who kind of fell off the stage.... You can find videos/music from Shantel on Youtube:)



After a while we realised the air was too stale and we needed fresh air. We went outside and took a look at the Indian restaurant next door to Gruenspan...but it wasn't an Indian restaurant. It was 'Indra' (yes, you expect it to be an Indian restaurant)...this is the bar where the Beatles first played in Hamburg. Entry was free so we went into the pub. There were a total of 10 people there and a blues band. We sat on a couch and listned to the band and even talked to them as well. What was interesting is that the band had never played together before. They improvised the whole time.