The beginning of Germany.....

The Germany chapter has officially begun!  We arrived safely and with out any issues into Koln.  I have to say downsizing my suitcase has made a huge difference.  I can actually carry it upstairs with out feeling like I am going to fall over if I don't keep the exact right balance.  Kelseys friend, Allan, who was picking us up got stuck in some traffic and was going to be a bit late so we just locked up or luggage in theses crazy metal luggage transportation devices that we hopped would give us our luggage back when we wanted it, and walked outside and into the city.  Just as you step out and look to your left there is the tallest cathedral I have ever seen.  Apparently it actually is the second tallest in Europe but only by about a meter.  It was a breathtaking sight.  Looking up to see the top you literally felt as if you might fall over backwards.  We took a little wander around the

Koln Cathedral

outside.  There was so much detail on every inch of it.  Every tall spire had some sort of engraved design and all the gargoyles sticking off every corner were unique and different then the others.  It was quite an impressive sight.  I also was amazed to find out that when this city was boomed during the war the city was mostly destroyed however this building was not touched. It only suffered very minimum damage to the back side.  Not sure if that was strategic bombing of just sheer luck but whatever it was I am thankful I got to see it still standing in it's original spot and not the rebuilt version which seems to happen so much in these cities where the war was near or in.

Kelsey and Allan at Koln fest

 Just as we finished our little walk Allan arrived.  So, Allan is one of Kelsey's friends from back in high school.  He is stationed out here in Germany and has so graciously offered to be our tour guide and travel buddy for the first part of Germany.  He has been out here in different parts of Germany for the past few years and knows where to take us.  We are quite grateful for this since we are really just flying by the seat of our pants on this trip with very little planning.  After we said our hellos we headed over to a little fest that the town was having.  Along the way we alkyd through the winding streets of old town past all sorts of cute little buildings containing brew houses and shops.  Everything is so adorable.

Wine Country

We enjoyed our first beer in Germany in the gorgeous sunshine at the summer fest.  Apparently all summer towns have these little tests with rides, food and beer.  I suppose they are kinda like out star fairs but so much better.  They don't feel as cheesy and no one is trying to sell you the "As seen on TV" crap products.  After we had our fill of the fest Allan drove us through wine country where we stopped and had dinner at a local restaurant just below a fairy tale like castle.  Kels and I truly felt like it was a fairytale.  The sun was at that magical place in the sky where it is painting the hillsides with it's warm light.  The temperature was just perfect and we were sipping on a lowly local wine.  Sometimes I still have to remind myself that I am not dreaming and this really is still my life right now.

Lovely day...perfect light.

After dinner we made the drive back to Allan's little village and crashed out for the night is the most comfortable bed ever!  It was like sleeping on a cloud.  Heavenly after the last 5 nights on the final covered mattresses of the hostel bunk beds.  The next day Allan had to pull a 24 hour shift so we were on our own for eh most part.  He dropped us off in the neighboring town which happened to be Kaiserslautern.  Funny story about this town is it is where I spent over a month when I was 16.  Not a place I ever thought I would be back in but really happy to have made it back.  We had no map (remember they are for sissies) and just started walking.  We ended up in the old town area where there was plenty going on.  There were street performers, bands, and a bunch of theater people since there was a theater fest happening.  We decided to grab lunch so we slid into a street side table in a local brew house and ordered some sausages and beer.  Now I told you there was a theater fest going on right....well there were also quite a few funny little actor type characters roaming around doing little shows.  We kinda ended up in the middle of one......
The story of Kelsey and the lost beer..........

Bed Man rolling up

As we are drinking our beer a man rolls up in his bed.  He stops in from of our table and gets out of bed.  The next thing I know he is reaching for my beer...Uh I don't think so buddy....I snatch it away and am holding it death grip style to my chest.  He then goes for Kelsey's and they reach it at the same time.  There was a struggle but Kels eventually let's go thinking " He's not really going to do anything."
She was wrong.....

Bed Man Drinking Kelsey's beer

Bed Man chugged that beer and drank all she had left in it in one go! We were dying laughing.  Everyone around us was laughing and also kinda in shock.  I don't think any of us really thought he was going to drink it but alas he did.
Once he drank the beer he set it down then hopped back in his bed to move on.  While he was climbing back into bed the waiter brought Kels a fresh beer.  When the Bed Man noticed his eyes lit up and he opened up the covers next to him and patted the bed inviting Kels in.  She just snatched up her beer death grip style and shook her head.
PS I still had a death grip on mine too.

After that he rolled his little bed away and we just laughed and said yes....that really did just happen.

New Beer

We settleed in with our new beers and finished our lunch in peace.  No more Bed Men to deal with.

K-Town fountain

We finished our walk around K-town at a lovely fountain.  The fountain was also near som roman ruins which were being used partially as high school kids hang out and skate park.  Also near this fountain was lovely artistic display of colorful fish.  Apparently the fish is the symbol of the town.  Maybe the fish are good luck...

Are you my prince?

I have been told you gotta kiss a lot of frogs before you meet your prince.  Well I am giving the kissing a fish thing a try since the frogs aren't working......I'll keep you posted.





Today were are heading out for our road trip through Germany.  We will be stopping in Nuremberg, Bamberg and Munich.  Should be a good time of beer and German culture.  I will also be turing another year older along the way!