On Saturday, I went with that same American colleague to Cologne. It is just a 45 minute train ride from Bad Godesburg. As soon as you get off the train, you are greeted by the Kölner Dom. This immense, 13th Century cathedral amazingly survived Allied bombings during World War II. Though certain portions of the facade look like they are in the process of restoration, most of it looks bittersweetly beaten and weathered.
The amount of detail on building was breathtaking, as was the view from the top of the South tower, which visitor are allowed to climb.
Cologne's main square was more lively than Bonn's, with a mix of both locals and tourists. The Dom gives the square a sense of drama and history, and it is strikingly anachronistic couched within its modern, commercial setting. Unfortunately I am unable to upload a video I took where you can hear the Dom's chiming bells at 6:15 p.m.
In other news, Cologne also had several Beer gardens open Saturday, as well as this mobile bar, which served as a testament to the German love of teamwork, bicycling and beer:
4 comments:
From Rick Evans - mmmmmm beeeeer!!!!
you can send me the vid and i'll upload it to my server (then you can just embed it)...
we want moooore! don't tell me you're too busy to post an entry...:)
... what Mrs. Thomas Katz said... especially now that you are not entertaining mom and dad during the time you are not at work... your audience awaits!!!! ... especially now that you have email access at home. :-)
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