Touching Down in Germany.
Saturday, April 29
My cell phone can't speak German. At least, that seemed to be the problem when it wasn't able to connect with any cell towers after landing at the Frankfurt airport. Apparently, my phone didn't bother to read about its' new International Plan. Because the phone wasn't functioning, I was anxious that I wouldn't be able to contact my Aussie club host.
My arrival in Germany was a familiar mix of excitement and anxiety. I was delighted to be following my dream of living in Europe. Figuring out my way around airports, train stations, and cities – with directional signs in foreign languages – is equal parts of uneasiness and adventure.
My plan was to take a train from the Frankfurt airport to Bonn, where I'd be picked up and taken to my hotel. I'd never taken the train before and didn't know where the station was located.
I wandered around the Frankfurt airport for a while, looking for the train station. I finally found it. I struggled my way through buying a train ticket from a machine, and took the “lift” (elevator) down to Track 6. My next challenge was deciphering the train schedule. I managed to get on the right train and was delivered to the Bonn station. The difficult part of the trip was over.
A delightful young man, Phillip, picked me up and took me to the charming Hotel Zur Börsch in Niedercastle. Several excellent restaurants and the historic Rhine river were just three blocks away. I had a delicious dinner of Asian food at MayDao, went back to the hotel, and fell sound asleep. Several nights later I enjoyed an Italian dinner with friends at Ristorante Da Pino, and I highly recommend both restaurants if you make your way to Niedercastle.
Saturday, April 29
My cell phone can't speak German. At least, that seemed to be the problem when it wasn't able to connect with any cell towers after landing at the Frankfurt airport. Apparently, my phone didn't bother to read about its' new International Plan. Because the phone wasn't functioning, I was anxious that I wouldn't be able to contact my Aussie club host.
My arrival in Germany was a familiar mix of excitement and anxiety. I was delighted to be following my dream of living in Europe. Figuring out my way around airports, train stations, and cities – with directional signs in foreign languages – is equal parts of uneasiness and adventure.
My plan was to take a train from the Frankfurt airport to Bonn, where I'd be picked up and taken to my hotel. I'd never taken the train before and didn't know where the station was located.
I wandered around the Frankfurt airport for a while, looking for the train station. I finally found it. I struggled my way through buying a train ticket from a machine, and took the “lift” (elevator) down to Track 6. My next challenge was deciphering the train schedule. I managed to get on the right train and was delivered to the Bonn station. The difficult part of the trip was over.
A delightful young man, Phillip, picked me up and took me to the charming Hotel Zur Börsch in Niedercastle. Several excellent restaurants and the historic Rhine river were just three blocks away. I had a delicious dinner of Asian food at MayDao, went back to the hotel, and fell sound asleep. Several nights later I enjoyed an Italian dinner with friends at Ristorante Da Pino, and I highly recommend both restaurants if you make your way to Niedercastle.
The Hotel Zur Börsch in Niedercastle where I stayed during my time in Germany. The hotel's restaurant was outstanding.
Car ferries take vehicles across the Rhine river. The Rhine is culturally and historically one of the great rivers of the continent and among the most important arteries of industrial transport in the world.
The Magnificent Cologne Cathedral
Sunday, April 30
Phillip and his mother, Elke (el-kay) treated me to a tour of Cologne, Germany. We admired the city's cathedral, explored a Roman history museum, viewed the entire city from atop a tower, and hiked across the Hohenzollern Bridge over the Rhine river. Phillip was the best tour guide! He shared his knowledge of Cologne's history from World War II to the present day.
Sunday, April 30
Phillip and his mother, Elke (el-kay) treated me to a tour of Cologne, Germany. We admired the city's cathedral, explored a Roman history museum, viewed the entire city from atop a tower, and hiked across the Hohenzollern Bridge over the Rhine river. Phillip was the best tour guide! He shared his knowledge of Cologne's history from World War II to the present day.
Cologne Cathedral exterior with my tour guide Phillip. The cathedral suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs during World War II. Although badly damaged, it nevertheless remained standing.
The Crucifix of Bishop Gero is the oldest large sculpture of the crucified Christ north of the Alps. It is carved in oak, and painted and partially gilded. Constructed around 965–970 and standing over six feet tall, it was one of the largest crosses of its time.
Arches rise over 140 feet in the medieval east end of the cathedral. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid in 1248. In the early 16th century, construction was halted, due to a lack of money and interest. In 1842, construction began again and the cathedral was finally completed in 1880.
The Cathedral's towering stained glass windows are part of the largest collection of early 14th century windows existing in Europe. Today they are threatened by air pollution. Glaziers are constantly working on their maintenance and restoration.
Padlocks, Pretzels and Pubs
To fortify ourselves for hours of walking, we stopped at a Cologne bakery next to the town square. The almond-encrusted treats and warm-from-the-oven croissants and pretzels were irresistible!
Railings on the Hohenzollern Bridge are covered with “Love Locks” which are considered one of Cologne's most charming traditions. Couples fix padlocks on the railings, and to ensure everlasting love, they throw the key into the Rhine river. Tens of thousands of couples and friends from Cologne and all over the world have sworn their loyalty to each other in this way.
To cap off the day, we ate dinner at the Frühe Brauhaus where I was introduced to Kölsch (curl-sh) ale. The name Kölsch can only be used to describe a beer brewed in Cologne. The Kölsch Konvention stipulates: 1) the beer must be brewed in the Cologne metropolitan area, 2) must be pale, 3) must be top-fermented, 4) must be hop-accented, 5) must be filtered, and 6) it must have a gravity between 11-14% plato (whatever that is). Another tradition around Kölsch is that you will be served the ale one after another if you don't say "no" and put the beer pad (coaster) on top of your glass.
