Friday 9 October 2015

10.8.15 Cologne to Amsterdam

Misty morning in Cologne. We pulled in early in the morning. Had a guided walking tour in the rain under our umbrella. There were little bits of interesting facts about the age of the city - 2000 years - settled as a Roman outpost, 95% destroyed in WWII, cultural center with lots of museums and galleries although now most artisans have moved to Berlin because it's way to expensive to live here, highest consumption of alcohol per capita, lots of wet weather, and of course the famous Cathedral.

The Cologne Cathedral was of the gothic style of architecture (between medieval and Renaissance period). Construction started in 1240 and completed in 1880 - over 600 years. The building halted because of finances until the 19th century. It was largely left intact during the war despite a devastated city around it some think to serve as a navigational point.

 
Germany of course is famous for not only their sausages but their pretzels and something to wash it all down - beer. Love sausage as Deb and Neil can attest to and I do enjoy a beer on occasion but I've never been fond of pretzels - ever - until I ran into these babies in Cologne. It's a clue to my palate. If you drench anything in chocolate and sugar and almonds I'll think it's amazing.

After leaving Cologne the landscape shifted to a very serene flatness. All along the riverbanks people were out marching their canine companions. It makes me anxious to walk mine. Dogs love being walked.

 

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