July 2010 in Europe: July 3, 2010: Koln (Cologne)

Took the ICE from Frankfurt to Koln (Cologne - Northwest of Frankfurt). It was great to see the German countryside as we passed by many little towns along the way. I was a little sneaky and, after my ticket checked, I kind of wondered into a private cabin. Pretty fancy.

I knew going into Cologne I was going to get to see this big Cathedral everyone was talking about that was right along the Rhine River. As the train approached into the city, I saw this church and thought: "okay, that's a nice church but...." Apperantly though I was seating on the wrong side of the train and looking in the wrong direction becuase when I got off at the train station and walked out in the opposite direction, the grandiose Cathedral that is Dom stood in front of me. What an amazing sight! I have never seen anything like it. Absolutely breath taking! It too 600 years to construct since there were many construction/political obstacles alogn the way. I walked inside and sat down for a minute and just took it all in. So much detail in the stained glass windows, the columns, the arches, the statues, the altar, and the shrines. I lit a candle and prayed for world peace!!

This whole part of town was buzzing with the crowds, everyone gearing up for the futbol game and gay pride. There were German flags everywhere, I even bought myself a German Flag colored lei. My walk took me through an outide mall, Neumark Square, Pinpinstreet (love the name), the riverside promonade called Frankenwerft, and Deutzer Bridge over the Rhine. From here, the views of the cathedral behind a famous row of candy colored houses was really amazing!

more to come..have to go for now

I was going to post some videos of the storm that rolled through town as I was out and about and also videos during a public viewing of teh futbol game and the reations after the win. Unfortunetly i'm having difficulties with the upload.