Hannover is not where the pretzels come from.

Friday I went with Kate, Tankut, and Lyazzat to Hannover for the day. (The semester ticket gets us to Hannover, Hamburg, and Osnabruck for free – plus all the little towns in between.) We did a little research before we went and knew that there was a red line that went by all the prominent tourist attractions. What we did not know is that whoever painted the red line of tourism must have been drunk on Beck’s (the local beer made in Bremen). It went all different ways. We followed it to the best of our ability and saw the Market Church, went through a museum detailing the history of Hannover that had a special exhibition on fashion, saw a Catholic Church that I can’t remember the name of, the Nanas (statues by Niki de Saint Phalle), had a drink at a small café, a church that had been bombed in World War II, and a castle.

The weather held out and was amazing for us. It was bright, sunny, and not a cloud in the sky. I could hardly believe it. It was in the upper 60s I think and just perfect for walking around looking at things.

My favorite part was the History of Hannover Museum. As part of the fashion exhibit there was an area where people could try on hats and clothes – which, of course, we did. I unfortunately do not the pictures, but Tankut is supposed to send them to me.

Of course, when traveling in a foreign country there are always incidents. We stopped at a little café to get a drink like I said. Tankut and Lyazzat ordered coffees and Kate and I ordered cokes. Kate decided she wanted to switch to coffee and asked the waiter if she could. He replied, “No! I made coke already. No change.” It sounds kind of mean, but the tone with which he said it was hilarious.

I also learned that Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels do not come from Germany. They come from Hanover, Pennsylvania.

The hour and twenty minute train ride to and from Hannover was also enjoyable. I learned about Turkish politics, some about Saudi Arabia where Kate lived, and some things about Kazakhstan where Lyazzat is from. I find it all very interesting and constantly awed by the variety of life experiences. It’s not like northern Kentucky where everyone is more or less the same. It’s fascinating.






A hull of a church that was bombed in World War II





















Me, Lyazzat, and Tankut getting ready for an exciting day in Hannover!














The Market Church, a Protestant Church in downtown Hannover that was built in the 13th century.















The Nanas - giant statues of women by Niki de Saint Phalle













Kate drinking the coke that she couldn't change.