Köln

     We catch a carpool ride to Cologne and arrive at Rebecca's. I met Rebecca through a mutual friend at Berkeley this past summer, and she offered her hospitality in Cologne. When we arrived, Rebecca was gone but her mother was at the door expecting us. She greeted us, made us lunch, and even did a much needed load of laundry. Paz and I were exhausted and decide to nap until Rebecca came home.
   A few hours later she arrives and her, Paz, Rebecca's mother, Rebecca's grandmother, and myself all sit down for dinner. It was great eating at a table again with home cooked food. That night Rebecca's mother takes us on a night drive of the city. She shows us some popular spots for us to check out the next day. Cologne has more than 150 churches, but most importantly, there is the famous Cologne Dome. The church was originally constructed during the 1300's but was not completely finished until the 1800's. Cologne was a Roman city, the dome was built with beautiful Roman architecture.

Dome by night 

As we drove around, I noticed the city was very modern and reminded me of Orange County. Shopping, bars, restaurants, shopping, stores, shopping, malls, shopping. Oh ya, and University of Cologne. Compared to Berlin, Cologne is trendy and wealthy. Compared to Munich, Cologne is youthful. Rebecca's mom told us that the city, except for the churches, was completely destroyed during the war. And when Germany was divided and Bonn (close to Cologne) became of capital of West Germany, Cologne became extremely "westernized" and enjoyed the benefits of capitalism.
  The next day Rebecca's mom took us to a flea market. Rebecca having to work all day, Paz and I explore the city. We go to the Dome and walk all 526 steps to the top of the tower. It was a narrow spiral staircase and took some concentration not to fall with upward and downward traffic occuring simultaneously. The view at the top was more then worth it!  We also go inside the cathedral and admire the intricate artwork and statues.

Dome by day

 After the Dome we head to the Rhine river. It was a beautiful day which made strolling by the river fantastic. We went to the Chocolate museum (they have chocolate noodles and chocolate beer). Checked out the "Old Town" or what was preserved during the wars, the mustard museum, the Perfume de Cologne building (after all, perfume was invented in Cologne).

 We then head to the northern part of town and check out a Sculpture park (actually very cool), wine museum (super cheap), and stumbled upon a rose garden (great place to drink our wine). We headed back to Rebecca's just in time for her to tell us to get ready for a night out. She took us to the popular bar street, then we headed to her friend's birthday party. I had been to a birthday party in Berlin and did not have a very delightful experience. The people were not friendly and made the situation awkward. However this party was different and the Cologne-ers were extremely friendly!

View from the top

The next day we take it easy and do some shopping. There was not much else to do, plus there were some essential items we needed that we have not had time to get in Berlin. That night we all made a fantastic home cooked meal (miss you Mom!) and prepared to go to a club. Rebecca was excited to show us the Cologne night life. Once arriving I found out that there was free re-fills for wine from 11-12, then 1 free cocktail from 12-1. Trying to keep up with a German...well you can assume how it went. This club seemed a little more high maintenance that what I had seen in Berlin and Munich. But nonetheless I was drunk and didn't care. I was wearing heels for the first time in what felt like years, so walking was definitely a challenge.  We dance hard to the electro music, very "American" dancing as I might add. Shaking our bootys errywhere like no one's business. Rebecca tried to teach us more European style dancing, which involves more leg movement, but we were WAY to gone for that to be happening. I remember a few guys coming up to us during the night but I was not interested in any of them. I only vaguely remember walking away from one and Rebecca yelling "WAIT HE IS REALLY CUTE!". We make it home around 4 am. Did I make an ass out myself? Probably. And maybe getting shwasted in a fancy club and acting American was not the classiest thing I have ever done, but fuck it I had fun :)
  The next morning I call our proposed ride to Berlin, good thing I did because he was having car problems and could not give us a ride. We frantically look online for another ride and thankfully were able to reserve one. When we arrive, we see it is a van filled with 6 other people. Yay. We did not go over 100 km/h the whole way back to Berlin. Double yay. A 5 hour drive turned into 6 1/2...being slightly hung over. We finally arrive back in Berlin safe and sound. I reflect upon my vacation: expensive, historical, artistic, hot, cold, intriguing, frustrating, enlightening....and fun. I am very thankful to be where I am.