Advertisement
Published: August 7th 2010
Edit Blog Post
So the Rhineland.... absolutely gorgeous. The train I took today from Mainz to Köln follows the Rhine and it was nearly impossible to stop staring out the window. Honestly. I tried to start writing this entry on the train, but had to put down the iPhone. I was too afraid that I'd miss a castle or a chateau on the river bank, or miss seeing a small town with an amazing church.... or the vineyards that seem cut into the rock on the hills lining the river valley. I think this is probably the Germany of my imagination, and that's part of the reason I'm loving it so much.
I had decided to head to Köln for the day today. I had no real plan other than to see the cathedral there, as I was in Cologne (12 years ago) only long enough to change trains and gaze longingly out at the cathedral. This time, I decided, I would see it for real. And I did. Between wandering around, sitting through a very short mass (with organ music! First time I've heard organ music in a cathedral on this trip!), examining the treasury (I was in reliquary monstrance heaven!), and
hiking up the 533 stairs into the belfry (thanks to those of you who made me do stairs in Edmonton the last few months - it has certainly helped on this trip!), I spent three hours in the cathedral alone. Highlights are probably the treasury exhibits and (of course, this is me!) some of the funerary monuments in there. It was fabulous. A definite feast for the nerd that loves high church art, and well worth the wait to see.
As I was climbing the tower to the belfry, I noticed a large concentration of good looking men, many of whom were wearing ID tags of sorts. Upon closer inspection, it turns out that the Gay Games are currently happening in Cologne. About 9000 athletes in 35 events, apparently! So lots of eye candy...
I decided to take a bus tour of the city, since I really know nothing about it, other than the cathedral, and there was a bit of interesting information, but mostly just plugs about the city's other tourist attractions, rather than info about the city itself. I did, however, learn that Cologne is one of the largest cities in Germany, and that their main
West end
of Köln cathedral. Best shot I could get - the city is so built up around it that it's quit difficult to get a better shot. industry now is the manufacture of the Ford Focus and Fiesta models. It was a Roman settlement (and probably earlier, but not much evidence of that now). The city is all torn up now, as they're building a new U-Bahn line through the middle of it, so it seemed like there was construction everywhere. They're also in the midst of excavating what may or may not have been the Jewish quarter.
Spent an hour or so shopping. Well, mostly window shopping. I did pick up a sweater that I love, but that was it, then headed back into Mainz for a late dinner with Nicky. The one thing that I still haven't managed to deal with in Europe is flagging down waiters. You actually have to sort of wave at them around here sometimes if you want service. Polite Canadian me is having some issues with that. But I'm getting over it, slowly but surely.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.104s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 11; qc: 56; dbt: 0.0569s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Sander M
Sander M
Just saying thanks
I just wanted to say 'thank you' for providing such a nice and detailed blog about your travels in Europe. I am originally from Holland, and am planning on returning for a European trip next year (it has been 18 years). I am trying to decide the best way to travel, what to see, etc etc etc. It are people like you who take the time to document these things to provide guidance on what, and what not to do. Thanks! Sander