Julia's place was where we stayed for a week in Hamburg. Nicole was staying there too. It was a quaint ground floor apartment built 50 years ago with a small garden in the back. I liked the place a lot. I couldn't have imagined myself more at home 6,000 miles away from my house than in that place. Notice the "JA!" milk carton on the kitchen table. That's the German generic brand.

The grocery store we bought it from was less than a block from her door. Quaint coolness like this is one of the many reasons I could see myself living in Germany, or Europe in general. It just feels like home. Everything is cozy, comfortable, and easy. You live in a small apartment that's comfortable, has everything you need and costs practically nothing. Down the street is everything you need to live — within walking distance. The weather was great too.