So, the day in Germany was so awesome that I thought it merited it’s own post. Wednesday, Nicole and I and her host parents went to Cologne, a town in germany. And yes, it really is as simple as just going to Germany for a day. Thanks to the European Union, we could just drive right into Germany. like with going to Belgium, I didn’t even notice when we went from being in France to being in Germany. However, I figured it out pretty quickly when I was no longer able to understand road signs.
So, since we had a three hour drive ahead of us, we got up at 6:30 am, had a quick breakfast at home, and then headed off. Nicole and I slept most of the way, so we had lots of energy when we got to Cologne(which is actually written Köln in German.) We had stopped at a rest stop to use the bathroom, and I had a hard time figuring it out. First of all, we had to pay to use the toilet. Then, when I was done, i pushed a button and this mechanical device was activated, which turned the toilet seat and wiped it with cleaner. It was super high tech and confusing, but cool. When we got to Cologne, we parked the car, bundled up with coats, hats, sweaters, gloves, and scarves, and headed out. It really frustrated me to understand absolutely nothing. There were signs and billboards and restaurants and all kinds of things and I didn’t understand anything at all. Nicole is Swiss-German, so she was our guide and translator, but I would have rather been a least a little more self-sufficient.
We started the morning by going to a modern Christmas market, lots of little wooden booths selling all kinds of trinkets. More than half of the booths were selling food, and it was hard to stop myself from not spending all of my money on food. There was a booth selling Swiss fondue with bread slices, lots of candy booths, pastry booths, and roasted nut booths. Every year when I went to the Sacramento Nutcracker, I never understood what the kids in the prologue wanted when they went to their parents with their hands held out, and then finally got a bag. I think it was probably roasted nuts. Sugar grilled almonds are Nicole’s favorite, so we got a big bag for all of us to share. Once we had wandered all around the booths, it was time for lunch, so we set of in search of a real restaurant serving German specialties, sausages. We could have gotten practically every type of sausage we wanted from one of the many booths at the market, but we all appreciated the time sitting down in a warm restaurant. Nicole had to translate the menu for us, and talk the the waiter, since we didn’t understand anything. I got boiled sausage with fries, while Nicole and Joseph got grilled sausages, and Christelle got the Weiner Snitzel. Once again, water wasn’t free, so I ended the meal thirsty and had to go buy a bottle of water from a store nearby. We decided not to get dessert, since there were bakeries all over, so we could get something later.
After lunch, we went to see the giant cathedral of Cologne. It was not very well restored on the outside, but the inside was very beautiful. During WWII, practically the whole town of Cologne was destroyed by bombs except the cathedral. We saw pictures on postcards where the whole town is flat, the bridge is nothing but some pieces in the river, but the cathedral is still standing tall. We looked around for a little bit, the headed back outside. There was a small Christmas market on a boat on the Rhine, but you had to pay 2 euros for the privilege of buying stuff, so we left. Then we headed to the old-fashioned, medieval themed Christmas Market. It was a lot of the same kinds of items, but had a more homey feel, and there were guys walking around in medieval soldiers outfits. There was even an ice skating rink and a ferris wheel. One of the specialties of this Christmas market was hot wine with spices and sugar, so Nicole’s host parents got that, while Nicole got hot apple cider. The drinks were served in special mugs that you had to return in order to get your money back, and I was tempted to keep one as a souvenir, but seeing as we already have too many mugs in the cupboards back home, it didn’t seem very smart to buy another one.
Once done with the Christmas markets, we spent some time shopping in the pedestrian street malls, and I finally found a gift to bring home. I was really exhausted by the end of the day of walking around shopping. Before leaving to go back to France, we decided to get a cup of coffee and pastries. I got a salted soft pretzel, figuring that I was in Germany so I should get a German specialty. But, I wanted something sweet to finish the day too, so I got a croissant shaped pastry. It was like a mix between a soft pretzel and a donut, sugar coated and super delicious. The others got Berliners, jelly filled donuts, but I was happy with my choice. We bundled up for the last time, got back in the car, and drove the three hours home, me sleeping most of the way.
And that’s the story of the day in Cologne. Pictures coming soon. My internet connection right now is having some difficulties, so you’ll just have to be patient.
I have always, always wanted to go to a Christmas Market. How fun...lucky you. I need to remember to eat before reading your blog. It makes me want to bake. We took the boys to the Nutcracker yesterday. We didn't really care for the Sugar Plum Fairy, so it wasn't as good as seasons past. But it was a good time just the same. We gave the boys the opportunity to have dinner anywhere (we prefered downtown, somewhere fancy befitting the Nutcracker), but alas, they chose Dos Coyotes. Ah, the boys! Sending you a great big hug! The Herons
ReplyDelete"There was a small Christmas market on a boat on the Rhine, but you had to pay 2 euros for the privilege of buying stuff, so we left."
ReplyDeleteThis was the market that I was least curious about, but my Mum wanted to see it, so we did. And I was so glad I did because I found a set of decorations that I thought I'd never be able to have. My Mum has an identical set, and I've always loved them but they were so old and we had no idea where they came from. Unless I got very, very lucky, there was no way I'd ever find anything like them.
But I got very, very lucky. :) Waiting for me on that boat was a set just like my Mum's and I might just have done a happy dance all the way up the gangplank afterwards.
But this was a very personal thing and if I'm being objective about it, you didn't miss much. That one had the least atmosphere out of all Cologne's Christmas markets.
For atmosphere, my favourite was the Gnome market. We ended up going back to that one just to listen. To the band playing, to people chattering away, laughing and, on one occasion, to a lady playing a barrel organ, stopping only to dance with a little boy who asked her. It's the things like that that I want to remember for the rest of my life.