Poul Nielsen stepped off the gangway and onto the pier, his eyes squinting in the bright sunlight. After twelve long days at sea, the port of Hamburg was a welcome sight. He turned to his companions, Jonathan Axelsen and Amelia Weiss, who was standing beside him, taking in the bustling port with wide eyes.
The trio had departed from New York's Lower Manhattan, aboard the luxurious line, which promised to take them on a journey of a lifetime. Twelve days had passed in a blur of deck games, decadent meals, and breathtaking ocean views. But now, as they set foot on the docks of Hamburg, they were greeted with a new adventure and unknown territory.
The port was alive with activity, with merchants hawking their wares and passengers disembarking from various ships. The air was thick with the smell of salt water and the sounds of sailors shouting and whistles blowing. Poul led the way, his hand on his valise as they made their way through the throngs of people.