As we moved around the huge dockyards by the harbour, we found Dock 17 where the Bismarck ship was built. You know,the one everyone tried to sink.
The harbour front is quite impressive in size with all the new architectural sites and interests but there is a problem with graffiti and garbage. The main bahnhof (train stn) is massive but not terribly clean or impressive. It needs to be spruced up. Their rule is that Classical music will be pumped over the speakers so to deter and ward off the junkies etc. from hanging around. They seem to hate good music but, from what we saw, they are starting to like it.
It's a huge city of many over crowded street people and homeless who are all trying to get by. Flea markets are popping up everywhere and the different nationalities are all clustered together in certain areas causing overcrowded and poor living arrangements. Now this might seem as if we can say this for any city and so we can, but because of the high cost of living here, cheap drinks, drugs and smokes and the fact that the city is tearing down older areas and building up new and beautiful places, they are having a harder time giving the young people and immigrants jobs and a place for a proper life.
This place reminds us of Milwaukee because it's a very industrial city with only a little more space to spread.
On our trip throughout the bus ride, we weren't terribly impressed with quality of life and set up of the city. Because we are not so easily put off, we set out on foot to find and celebrate what is good. We always come across a lot of good once we act like the locals and do what the locals do. There are many areas where people come together to exercise, talk and enjoy their city. Along the two lakes many people, mostly younger, are running or blading. There are many older couples who set out after evening meals for a walk. We walked up and down several streets lined with cafes and bistros. Of course, just the sight of them invites you in to rest , so we rested - a lot.
Much of the city is in need of repair. These areas house the homeless and poor, as well as those types of stores that you don't want in your neighbourhood. People here refuse to live in a basement apartment so the city has placed all stores, restaurants and bars on the below-ground level. Therefore, below all apartments and homes are stores for shopping. This creates a "noise all day and into the night" atmosphere.
G and I took the u and s bahns into the deep city parts and walked around for hours. We met lots of lovely people and an old lady even called us "two angels."
Once the harbour plans and the extra housing work is done, the city is going to be amazing. It definitely has the ability to move people around quickly and there is evidence that they know what to do to provide safety to the public. It has been an interesting and learning experience here.
