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Good Morning…

Seriously, that is how dark it was in the production office, which was actually just me sitting on an overturned beer crate in the dressing room.  But outside, it was a different story.  This is the sign for the business complex we were in.  It used be a slaughter house.  Seems like most places in Germany / Austria either used to be a bunker or a slaughter house if they are now venues.

Heather, Chopper and I went on a photo safari.  You can tell it was a slaughter house because of the bull.  A plane flew overhead, and we could tell it was a male plane because of its little balls.

It was supposed to be raining all day, but the sky was blue as we headed out.  It is supposed to be raining pretty much the rest of the tour.

Chopper is taking some awesome photos during the shows.  I will see if he will let me steal some.  He doesn’t wear the gloves while working.

St. Pauli stadium.

The building doesn’t look too punk.

But oh boy does their logo.  I wonder if they thought that this would be a great marketing tool to give the punks around the world a football team of their own.

Pretty sure based on the dates this is a war memorial.  I am sure it is for something pretty specific, because it is pretty small and out of the way. Jedermann sprechen Deutsches?

I love pork, bacon is to die for.  And look even pigs like when I eat pork.  This guy is so happy to be swinging on this grill basket.

3 times a year, Dom Hamburg rolls into town.  One of the biggest fairs in all of Europe.

There is a fascination with fairy tales.  I did not know half of them.  Well more like 90%.  This is the old “Town Musicians of Bremen”.  You all know that one don’t you.  The internet is an amazing place.  I typed in “dog cat rooster fairytale” and got this.

Because the donkey was too old already, its master did not want to keep it, but the donkey left, planning to go to Bremen to play music. On its way, it met the dog, cat and rooster, all in the same situation. But they did not make it to Bremen, and instead, scared a group of thieves who were staying in a house. Because of their talent – or no talent – for music, the 4 animals scared them, and were able to occupy the house.

The hare and the hedgehog is a story where the hedgehog has his wife, who looks just like him at the other end of a field so when he races the hare, his wife pretends to be him and looks like the hare is beaten by the hedgehog.  The hare challenges him 73 additional times, but dies in the final running.  Seems like this is saying only cheaters win.

This one I think I have heard of before.  I think it is a Fisherman and his Wife.

We all know this one.

Oh to have a “Flying Suitcase” of my own.

Really, if you can figure this one out let me know.  I was going to type in Wolf Sheep Fairytale, but we all know how many hits that would bring.

Speaking of wolfs.  Little Red Riding Hood.

“The Steadfast Tin Soldier”

I knew this one right away, Hänsel und Gretel.

They were really into that one.  It was everywhere.

They were not into backpacks full of booze.  I love the idea of sneaking a bottle of Champagne into an event.

No Ice Picks, Knives, or Brass Knuckles were allowed either.

And if you can see the bathroom, use it.

Oh, the fair was closed so a none of the booths we active when we were there.  I think this is Pickle Barrel.  Makes a lot more sense than Cracker Barrel.

No. 1 Gambler Special.

Remember that TV show Airwolf?

Well even if you don’t, the Germans do.

I think it is sad that clowns are considered second class citizens.

Since it was close to Christmas time, everything had kind of a christmas feel to it.  So a haunted house with lighted palm trees and twinkle lights did not seem as out of place as it might seem.

I believe this is the “Ugly Duckling.”

I wish this place was open. Spare rib sandwich.

Isn’t there a Wild Mouse at Seattle Center?

Need I say more?

Look everyone is happy about gas prices.  Thank you recession.  National average price for regular unleaded in US was $4.14 in the middle of July (it peaked at $4.39 in June in Seattle).  It is now $2.15 ($2.34 in Seattle).  4 months can do a lot.  I can’t even imagine what might happen by the end of the year.

You cant really tell in this photo but it looked like all the chef’s on the mural were saying “I am going to get you.”  Not the sentiment I want from a cook.

Everything, I mean everything was themed.

And a lot of the time it was hard to tell what would happen here when it opened.

I see why they didn’t want you bringing in your bags of champagne. Half of the stands were selling booze.

It was hard to believe that these booths were portable.  Some of them were very elaborate.

I did not make it back to Planet Curry Wurst.  I was heart broken.

Oh man, camel racing looks like such a fun life.

“I’m Roggenbrotchen”

This was at the fair, but because of the St. Pauli logo, there was actually a TON of PIRATE stuff around Hamburg.  At least the part we were in.

A swing ride of the little kids.

A close-up of all the friendly local peoples around the world.  Not sure what this has to do with swinging your kid around in circles.

Hamburg, not often publicized, IS home to some of the biggest bees in the world.

Atlantis has risen.

Oh another haunted house.

Chopper is in the stockade.

At least he is not this guy.  And yes, there were twinkle lights in that ivy.  Like I said, it is close to christmas.

They caught us both.

Everyone is drunk in …

… The Goldener Westen

Another casino.

The adult swings had a much more refined look.

Look it is a happy family of all the EU nations.  And a leprechaun.  And Mario.  And you can’t see her in this photo, but Lara Croft.

I told you they were into Hänsel und Gretel.  This looked like a snack shack.  Seems strange to use a story about taking food from strangers and the downfalls to sell snacks, but I guess there are cultural differences between American consumers and German ones.

You always wondered how sausage was made.  You put a pig in a grinder with some pepper, and TADA!

A nice fish stand.

Quick quiz…  What do Mr. T…

… A rollerskating, cigar smoking monkey…

…M.C. Hammer and a skateboarding, boombox carrying Alf all have in common?

More Hänsel und Gretel.  This was another food booth.

Still have not had any of the medicine.

I don’t know what they’re selling, but I’m buying.

It’s a mail cow.

Look at those deliciios litle bite-sized Salamis.  OH GOD, I love cured meats.