Koln says “Wilkommen”

Hello everyone – or I guess for this entry the more appropriate would be Guten Tag! I am back from my 4 day holiday to Cologne, Germany. It was very fun but I am certain I was not alone in thinking (as one of the friends who went with me to Germany also traveled to Wales with me) of that line from Lethal Weapon: “I’m getting too old for this sh*t.” Once again, no I’m not calling myself old – I would get so many messages! – but my ability to just keep going for days then turn around go to another country and keep going there too is starting to wane. Thankfully my travel companions were like minded and we turned in early each night. (I know and we are how old now? No clubs, no pubs, nothing – in bed by 10pm thank you very much)

Cologne was gorgeous – the weather was pretty perfect each day – staying around the high 50’s lower 60’s and sunny, I even got a bit of a sun burn on my face from all the walking around. Our hostel was within waling distance of Neumarket and the Cathedral so we stayed around that areas pretty much the whole time.

The zoo and a cable car ride across the Rhine was day two. I absolutely love zoos so I was very excited about this part. That and most European zoos seem to have animal and photographer friendly habitats. The chain linked fences and high every smudged glass is nearly completely gone. Just wide open areas for the animal to roam and well placed ditches and barriers. Koln Zoo had plenty of animals that I had never seen in person better, and most of them were enjoying the wonderful weather. 

 

Lastly we finished up our trip with the Hohenzollern Bridge (the German version of the Parisian Lock Bridge) and the National Socialist Documentation Center. During World War II Cologne was converted into a military compound of sorts, and the building where the museum is located was the Gestapo Headquarters – complete with a prison in the basement. A chilling reminder of a darker part of this beautiful country’s past.

 

No trip can be complete without food and drama. Firstly the more important: food. Had bratwurst in Germany because we had to, but we found an amazing little burger/ fast food area that we a more filling, less “well this will stay in my stomach for about 7 years” feel. AND WE FOUND ITALIAN ICE CREAM!!! These flavors were amazing! Banana, melon, mango and more! and the actually tasted like what they were supposed to.

Then well I’ve discovered Germany germs are slightly more persistent than germs in the UK. Hadn’t gotten sick since I got here and go to Germany – boom have a nice cold. Yes, I can probably chalk it up to different germs combined with a weakened immune system brought on by the stress of planning and traveling by bus (by bus! Key term here). That and our return journey was delayed for a couple of hours because of mechanical issues. There are two ways for coaches, cars, and other wheeled vehicles to cross from the UK to the Continent: by ferry or by Chunnel Train. The coaches coming to pick us up was going by train and the train broke down. Nearly three hours after it was supposed to pick us up and leave it arrived. It was cold and windy and threatening to rain. That and we had no actual idea when it was going to show up, so that was a bit miserable. So instead of arriving back in London at 7:30 am I got back to Roehampton at 11 am.

But each dark cloud must have a silver lining. If the journey had gone on as schedule I would have crossed the channel at night and missed this wonderful view in the morning

(the picture doesn’t do it justice – taken with my phone through a disgusting ferry window but you get he idea)