Cologne.....smells good :)

Dan, Megan, and Ursula at the center of the cathedral (Bell section)

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Koln (Cologne) is a city that is along the Rhein river. It is one of the most cultural experiences that I have had in Germany. My friend Erin decided to do this trip together in hopes of seeing some Oktoberfest activities. Unfortunately we were unable to stay long enough to do this. However we did meet up with a friend from good old Crystal Lake, his name is Dan Watling. He was passing through on a back packing excursion. We also met up with Ursula Krieger, a very good friend who toured us around a bit.

We started our first morning energized and ready for some adventure. Ursula met us outside the Koln cathedral and we proceeded to inside to climb the 509 staired monster. This is not a trip for the claustrophobic or for those who aren't conditioned a bit. The journey on a good pace can take you about 20 minutes of a circular stair case....you may be able to take the stairs but not the "round and round and round we go" for 20 minutes :) It was difficult but absolutely worth the views we had at the top. There are parts of the cathedral that dated to the original constructions in the early 1600.

Koln (Cologne) cathedral

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Later we thought we would counteract the exercise we did with a little chocolate...ummm okay a lot of chocolate :) Perched along the Rhein is a large building that has huge bay windows that people walking by can look into...in one of these windows was the biggest fountain of chocolate that I have ever seen. I died and went to heaven on this day. We went in the museum, all the while smelling of delicious chocolate, and learn the entire history of it and how it is processed and such. Then of course the quality control department (the visitors) is where we actually get to have some of that beautiful warm liquid on a crunchy wafer. (I did hand them my cv just in case they have an opening for me :)

Our final evening that we were there we went to a dance club (Dan, Erin, and I), it was called the Cent Club. There was no cover charge and the atmosphere I think was worth charging for. We had cheap beers and finally got to dance a bit. (the dutch don't have clubs like the us does...)

My favorite part, the chocolate fountain...ummmmm

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The next morning we helped Dan to the train station and saw him off for his final leg to Paris then home. Erin and I were so tired this day, probably a combination of walking, hiking, climbing and of course drinking :)

We left shortly after Dan to Aachen to visit the Krieger family.