2.5.1 - Cologne 1

Cologne - Day 1

Today I took the train from Amsterdam to Cologne, for some reason we had to take a different rout, we didn't stop in Dressen or other few cities that were scheduled.

We made it to Köln, Koeln, or Cologne, how ever you want to call it.
The train station is being renovated, to it's a mess.

But as soon as you leave the station, you can not miss the Kölner Dom (the Cathedral) it is IMPRESSIVE... it was started in 1248 and they finished it on 1880. It has two tower, 475 feet high, 509 steps, ascent 332 feet, and takes about 30 min to walk up to the top of the towers. And I went all the way up. The Cathedral also has 7 Chapels inside and you'll just have to see the pictures... the place is very impressive.

After I went up and down... I went to the Chocolate Museum... we all know that Cacao was shipped to Europe from Mexico after Cristobal Colon traveled back and forth. But did you all know that Vanilla is also a Mexican product...
I didn't know that... now I know... and knowing is half the battle, J.I. Joe

After I walked another museum, and went up and down 1018 steps... I walked through the streets of Cologne, I made it to the "New Market" I would say it's about 5 sq blocks of stores.

Oh, tomorrow is the beginning of Carnival... so everyone and their mother is coming to Cologne... and good thing I did go to the museums today, because everything is closed tomorrow.

I'm not writing much tonight, because I am going to head out and party with the Carnival People.

So, tomorrow, Bonn in the morning, just to see Beethoven's home and then I'll leave for Stuttgart.

See you all soon..!

OK... I'm back
It's 3am and I just got back from spending the night at Kulisse... a very cool bar packed with 30somethings that are here for Carnival.
Beer was expensive tho... 3,00€ for a glass of Sünner Kölsch draft.
And of course, I stopped by McDonald's for 1,00€ cheeseburgers

And now, shower, bed, and then up by 6:30 hrs, because my train leaves at 7:45 to Bonn