What an amazing day!!!
Holli, Liz and I woke up about 8:00, had a quick breakfast and headed for Cologne (Koln). I was amazed by the huge modern windmills that surrounded the city. Holli said the just one of these windmills was powerful enough to run a small town. Impressive!
After a fairly short drive on the autobahn, the city appeared in the distance. I could see several bridges that crossed the Rhine River and most impressive, the Cologne Cathedral. We found a parking spot near the school that Holli used to attend and walked toward the center of the city. First we passed the Koln Stadium, which was held up by a gigantic steel semicircle. Everything was hockey to rock concerts are held there. We crossed an old, steel bridge that only allowed trains and pedestrians across it. From here I got my first real view of the Cathedral.
I was in absolute awe of the cathedral. There are thousands of tiny, intricate details decorating the outside of the well-worn building. The closer I approached it, the more majestic it became. I have seen photos of these kinds of places but I was shocked at the beauty. I was even more impressed once I walked inside.
The cathedral is a working Catholic church. A nice, old German woman played tour guide, in English, as we walked around the inside. The Cathedral was started back in the 900s and was continued being worked on, off and on, for the next 1000 years. The stained glass was beautiful. The remains of the 3 wise men are in cased in a gold chest. Words cannot do the Cathedral justice.
We climb about 500 steps to reach the top of one of the towers. It was hard work but well worth the view once we reached the top. We had beautiful views of the entire city.
Downtown Cologne is exactly the way I have always thought a European city should look like. There were cobblestone streets with lots of bakeries and fresh flower stands. There were also lots of modern clothes stores, restaurants and the largest music shop I’ve ever seen. Holli and I strolled through rooms and rooms of guitars, drums and recording equipment. Very cool!
I tried a herring sandwich for lunch. I got through about ½ of it. I let Holli eat the other half. I could get it down but not my thing. Later in the train station we found a wiener stand and I got the largest “hotdog” I’ve ever eaten.
Went to band practice and I met Karsten, Steve and Roland. They are great guys. Very kind and friendly and each with a sense of humor similar to Holli’s. I had a great time as I watched them rehearse. During each of the breaks I spoke with Roland and Carson. Carson told me about his trip he and a friend took to the US spending 10 days following Route 66. Roland and I, of course, talked drums. We both like a lot of the same kinds of music. I gave him copies of Transatlantic and a Neal Morse CD. I didn’t get much of a chance to talk with Steve. I hope I get another opportunity to meet up with them before I go back. So much to do and so little time.
Random Thoughts
50 cent toilets.
Cornfield and sugarbeats
Milk purchased with the region mark to support the local farmers.
Coal mines
Nuclear powerplants
Liz and Holli’s “gong” language.
Holli, Liz and I woke up about 8:00, had a quick breakfast and headed for Cologne (Koln). I was amazed by the huge modern windmills that surrounded the city. Holli said the just one of these windmills was powerful enough to run a small town. Impressive!
After a fairly short drive on the autobahn, the city appeared in the distance. I could see several bridges that crossed the Rhine River and most impressive, the Cologne Cathedral. We found a parking spot near the school that Holli used to attend and walked toward the center of the city. First we passed the Koln Stadium, which was held up by a gigantic steel semicircle. Everything was hockey to rock concerts are held there. We crossed an old, steel bridge that only allowed trains and pedestrians across it. From here I got my first real view of the Cathedral.
I was in absolute awe of the cathedral. There are thousands of tiny, intricate details decorating the outside of the well-worn building. The closer I approached it, the more majestic it became. I have seen photos of these kinds of places but I was shocked at the beauty. I was even more impressed once I walked inside.
The cathedral is a working Catholic church. A nice, old German woman played tour guide, in English, as we walked around the inside. The Cathedral was started back in the 900s and was continued being worked on, off and on, for the next 1000 years. The stained glass was beautiful. The remains of the 3 wise men are in cased in a gold chest. Words cannot do the Cathedral justice.
We climb about 500 steps to reach the top of one of the towers. It was hard work but well worth the view once we reached the top. We had beautiful views of the entire city.
Downtown Cologne is exactly the way I have always thought a European city should look like. There were cobblestone streets with lots of bakeries and fresh flower stands. There were also lots of modern clothes stores, restaurants and the largest music shop I’ve ever seen. Holli and I strolled through rooms and rooms of guitars, drums and recording equipment. Very cool!
I tried a herring sandwich for lunch. I got through about ½ of it. I let Holli eat the other half. I could get it down but not my thing. Later in the train station we found a wiener stand and I got the largest “hotdog” I’ve ever eaten.
Went to band practice and I met Karsten, Steve and Roland. They are great guys. Very kind and friendly and each with a sense of humor similar to Holli’s. I had a great time as I watched them rehearse. During each of the breaks I spoke with Roland and Carson. Carson told me about his trip he and a friend took to the US spending 10 days following Route 66. Roland and I, of course, talked drums. We both like a lot of the same kinds of music. I gave him copies of Transatlantic and a Neal Morse CD. I didn’t get much of a chance to talk with Steve. I hope I get another opportunity to meet up with them before I go back. So much to do and so little time.
Random Thoughts
50 cent toilets.
Cornfield and sugarbeats
Milk purchased with the region mark to support the local farmers.
Coal mines
Nuclear powerplants
Liz and Holli’s “gong” language.
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