you've got some speck right there

To continue the break recap:

From Paris, Al and I got on a train to Cologne, Germany. We ended up traveling first-class because that was all that was left, and it was actually quite nice. The countryside on the way there was gorgeous, and once we got close to Germany we even started to see some snow. When we arrived in Cologne, we stored our luggage and set out to explore the city until we had to meet up with Al's friend Yves at 5:30 or so. We decided to start off with what I'd consider one of the highlights of our time in Cologne (see previous posts about chocolate and Nutella): Schokoladenmuseum-The Chocolate Museum. As soon as we walked in the door we were hit by the smell of melting chocolate, and I spent the next hour and a half or so in heaven, learning all about the harvesting of cocoa, the production of chocolate, and overall appreciating the wonder that is chocolate. After we walked back to take a quick look inside the most famous of Cologne's landmarks, the Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), which is the tallest Gothic structure in the world. I have to say, in terms of size, it certainly was impressive. Standing inside the immense cathedral, though, I felt miniscule, insignificant. I didn't like it. While there were certain parts of the Dom that I can appreciate, its size was just a bit much for me. Give me the Sacre Coeur, or even my little one room church in Carentan, any day.

Then it was time to meet Yves at the train station. Introductions were made, and then we headed to one of the most famous pubs in Cologne, Früh (I think), where the guys caught up and we all enjoyed some Kölsch beer (beer made in Köln, or Cologne for us non-German speakers). This was followed by dinner, more drinks and conversation, and then we ended the night at a club. I've decided that American club, German club, French club-there's really not that much difference. In any case, I had fun dancing and talking with Yves and his friends.

The next day we slept in a bit and then set off for Cologne (Yves and his family live about 30 min. outside of it in a little town called Wipperfürth, or something equally German). We climbed up the tower of the Dom and were rewarded with a fantastic view of both the Cathedral and the city. Then we set off for Düsseldorf, where we walked along the ritziest of its shopping avenues and laughed at the number of people we passed wearing fur coats. According to Al, "There's more fur here than in the Black Forest." We ended our time in Germany with a night in Wipperfürth, eating dinner and visiting some local pubs.

So that ended up being a bit longer than I had expected. To sum up, Germany was fun and beautiful, and probably one of the quieter parts of our trip. It was good to relax, talk, and get a bit of a taste of German life. Different than the US and France, though I'd have to sit down and think about that one to really explain how. Just trust me. :)

Till next time!

p.s. The title is a reference to Al's last name, Speck. Obviously, Al's "some speck," but "speck" in German also means "bacon," or some semblance thereof. However, when we were there we learned that it can also mean the bit of pudge you get on your waist. So, I guess there's "some speck" all over the place, really.