May 22nd, 2014

So I have FINALLY been to Germany!

Today Camille and I went to Cologne, Germany for the day. It was kinda an early start as we took the 8:14 am train. This train was different from the others I have taken as we had assigned seats and assigned trains (whereas all the others you could take any train you wanted really, at an time).

It was a gorgeous day in Cologne. Mom told me that I had to see the Cathedral as St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Stony Plain is modeled somewhat after it. Well as soon as you get out of the train station it is literally right in front of you. You couldn't miss it if you tried, it also helps that its the tallest building in Europe. And I can definitely see the resemblance to St. Matthew's.

Once we arrived in Cologne, we toured the Cathedral and it was gorgeous! Absolutely spectacular, from the stained glass windows to the sheer size of the Cathedral. If you ever have the option to go, definitely see the Cologne Cathedral! Plus there was a choir touring it as well and they sang a few songs, The acoustics were spectacular!

After the Cathedral we walked across the square and got a map from the Visitor Information Centre. When we walked out there was this little green train nearby. It was a tour of the city going to the Chocolate factory and back for 6 euros.

So off to the Chocolate Factory we went! That was incredible too! So much chocolate! Mmmm and I bought lots of Lindt Chocolate to try, like cookies and cream, strawberry cheesecake, and cherry ice cream! Mmmmm!

For lunch we went to a small Italian bistro off the main area (all traditional German food such as bratwurst was WAY too expensive). Camille had pizza and I had spaghetti.

After that we just meandered our way around the city, finding cool shops, handmade candy stores and churches. We even found our way into a circus if you can believe it! It wasn't open but all the tents were set up.

At one point we found our way into a park by the river and it started to rain a little bit so we took shelter under a building overhang... Boy that was a mistake! This group of guys, probably our age, takes shelter there too and they start hitting on us, asking where we were from, if we were single, etc. THEN they started selling/exchanging drugs! It was so scary! This one guy wouldn't leave Camille alone! The instant the rain let up Camille and I got out of there!

Aside from that, the day was a lot of fun. I had Subway for supper, and about two hours before our scheduled departing train, it starts pouring! It gets grey and extremely windy (this coming from someone who lives in Lethbridge) and it rains cats and dogs! So we run into the train station and sit on the platform until our train.

Getting back to Liege was uneventful, but I arrived, put my stuff down, and Franny texts me asking if I want to go out. So instead of studying like I should be, I go out for drinks with her and some other friends until 11:30. Full, fun eventful day. And like I said, Cologne is BEAUTIFUL! and if you ever get the chance to visit, don't pass it up!