While I grew up surrounded by water, the Northwest is certainly not a place where anything ever freezes over (although most Germans I meet seem to think that Seattle’s proximity to Canada must mean it bears similarities to the Arctic). So for me, walking on a frozen body of water is something of an exciting adventure. The last time was in 2010 during Hamburg’s mini-Alstereisvergnügen. And now that I’m in Berlin, I couldn’t resist a little jaunt this weekend on the Rummelsburger See.
With techno music and random Glühwein stands erected on the ice, a few self-made skating rinks and hockey games, and a gazillion kids being pulled along by their parents on their adorable wooden sleds, it couldn’t have been more perfect.
It almost made me wish I owned a pair of ice skates (or could ice skate, for that matter).
Here are tales of a few other adventures on the ice this Winter:
- This International Life: Ice skating in Munich’s English Garden
- Geek Mädel: Alstereisvergnügen in Hamburg
- Letters Home: Dreaming of skating along the canals in the Netherlands
What about you? Are there frozen bodies of water where you are? Have you ventured out onto the ice yet?
What is it about frozen bodies of water that makes them so insanely appealing? I can’t put my finger on it, but I find them irresistible.
Gorgeous photos! You make me want to do some ice skating tourism to other cities next year.
Ooo ice skating. I used to enjoy that from time to time. Am not at all graceful enough at the moment to try it though. I’ll just have to live vicariously.
@Jul: I also have no idea what the attraction is, but I love the pure joy it brings to everyone’s faces!
@clickclackgorilla: Yeah, maybe I should try to learn how to ice skate one of these days. It’s something I failed at miserably as a kid, but maybe adulthood would help? ;)
At first glance at the top photo I thought that was the Alster! Isn’t it fun just to be out there, skates or no skates? I missed most of the Germany ice fun this year. That’s such a drag, because who knows if it will ever come back again?
@ian in hamburg: But your trip to Paris sounded amazing, and is definitely a good excuse for missing the ice craze here in Germany. :)