I am in Germany!
After taking a train from Limerick to Dublin, I flew into Cologne (Köln). After wandering around for a bit, I finally started seeing signs for the bahn (train) and headed that way. Of course, that was after I figured out that bahn means train. There was no English version of the train schedule (and why would there be?), so I stared at it for way too long. Fortunately, I got some guidance from a friend living here on which train to take and at which station to transfer to the underground. Transferred at the Köln Hauptbahnhof, which is right next to the Dom, one of the largest churches in the world. Image getting off the train and looking up to see this. Holy schnikes!
After checking into the hotel, I ignored the urge to take a nap (had been awake since 5:30AM) and ventured out to the streets of Köln to meet that same friend at a bar a few blocks away, where he, some friends, and some randoms were watching footbal. The bar was much different than any I’ve ever seen. Essentially, a hole in the wall with no attempt at interior decoration other than a couple huge flat-screen TVs showing footbal matches, graffiti covered walls, and pool and foosball tables. Reminded me of a college party basement. I was told this was not a normal Köln bar. Here I was introduced to a number of German experiences. We drank Kölsch – a beer that by law can only be made in the Cologne region. I was also taught how to count and swear in German (apparently the two most important language features), and how to say “cheers” before a drink (“prost”, pronounced prosst, bottoms of the glasses are touched, and eye contact is made with everyone you touch glasses with).
yaay germany! hope everything’s going great!