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Published: July 21st 2009
Monday, started with a restful sleep, 10 hours give or take and we were off to the train! The walk through town was nice - seeing the sights - Koln is a more post WW2 architecturally. Over 80% was destroyed in the war and was rebuilt fast to accommodate the homeless.
The train ride was uneventful. 3 hours through the countryside - no high rises, traffic snarls, just lots of green land, country landscapes and EUROPE. I have to say that I took a lil nap just before we arrived, Jet lag is a killer. Fresh off the train it was exciting. Everything was obviously different, but more than that it was Amsterdam! I went on sensory overload - People walking, biking as if it was the norm and cars falling somewhere down on the food chain!!! It was like coming home! Growing up I always felt out of sorts in Texas - I just knew that the stork hit wind sheer or the like; I just never realized how off course he was!!! LOL
Things I learned - The Dutch learn a minimum of 4, I repeat FOUR languages in school - it's mandatory, not an option. They
Hazy View of the Dome~
The landmark cathedral in Koln~love coffee and there are all types of cafes, EVERYWHERE! The funny thing is that you cannot smoke "regular" cigarettes indoors, but "irregular" ones are good to go!!!
The first day is really just taking everything in, canals, houses, houseboats, cafes, people here, there, everywhere! It was amazing! Street markets with varying price points with a little bit of everything - reminded me of Costa Rica to a degree! Just like Koln - the streets were filled with people not cars - well there were cars...mostly parked. The remaining days were filled with walking, talking, photos and cafes - at least 3 a day LOL. I was like - is it time for an espresso?
Another thing that tripped me up was the geographic location - it stayed light till 10ish p.m. - Like in Alaska it throws your timing off. What else amazed me was that everyone was nice! We were walking down a narrow street next to a canal - up ahead a truck was unloading and with several cars in a row there was no way to back up or go around, so they sat patiently waiting. NO honking, yelling or gesturing, just waiting. Here
I thought manners and courtesy were a lost art!
Some leave there hearts in San Francisco - I think I left mine in Amsterdam!
I could blather on, but I think my photo's and captions cover it better.
Thank you again for viewing!
Travlin Terry
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Bob Highfill
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Great Trip
Great Pictures. Looks like a great place to visit. How do you pay for all this I need the secret. Just finished th book Remembering Anne Franks. Great Book Would love to see what you sawl Bob