IT'S BEEN TOOOOO LONG!!!
All is well with Tom since I last posted. The Hamburg, Germany mission is now part of the Berlin, Germany mission. Tom remains in Hamburg but is now living in Altona. Altona is the westernmost urban borough of Hamburg on the right bank of the Elbe River. It was founded in 1535 as a village of fisherman. The name may have come originally from allzu-nah, meaning "all too near", which was the Hamburgers' designation for an inn that lay too close to their territory and was for long the only building. As a small fishing village called Altwasser, it fell to the Danes in 1640. Granted trade and customs privileges, it soon became a formidable rival to Hamburg. It was chartered in 1664, passed to Prussia in 1866, and was incorporated into Hamburg in 1938.
Hamburg is Germany's second largest city after Berlin. The city gets its name from the first castle built on the site as per the orders of Emperor Charlemagne in 808 A.D. Hamburgs area is 7X's that of Paris and twice that of London.
What makes Hamburg a unique city is its lack of skyscrapers. Buildings with more than 10 floors do not exist there. It also claims to have more bridges than Venice, Italy, with 2302 total. Small adorable canals are found running through the entire city. The cities port, with its tanker terminals, is home to all major oil refining companies.
Hamburg is famous for kicking off the Beatles' musical career in the early 1960's. They often played at the Star Club located in the St. Pauli district.
The picture is a panoramic view of Hamburg.
Previous to Altona, Tom was in Bergedorf which is on the opposite side of Hamburg.
Glad Tom is doing well, we miss hearing about his adventures. Hamburg sounds like a faciniating place and full of history. How does Tom like his companion? Does he have any members or converts he is close to?
ReplyDeleteHi Julie!
ReplyDeleteSince Tom has been in Altona he's changed companions a couple of times because of the mission consolidation with Berlin. On this past Tuesday he will have yet another new companion from Switzerland. He's looking forward to working with him. He has enjoyed all his companions and there are some who he will remain in touch with after their mission ends. He shared a few stories about some of the members, and potential members, in Bergedorf, Munster, and Bielefeld, but he's been in Altona only a short time. I'm looking forward to hearing the stories soon. As for those he's teaching, he doesn't say much, but it's Germany, the work is challenging but is moving forward. I'm hoping to post some of his pictures very soon.