Koeln und dann wieder nach Gross-Bieberau

Last week, I went to an orientation in Wermelskirchen with the other American Fulbright ETAs.  It was a lot of fun to hang out with everyone and learn more about them and their previous experiences in Germany, as well as their future ambitions.  There was a talent show on the last night of our orientation, and I am glad I did not sign up. Some of the acts were downright amazing: singing, Irish dancing, juggling, Smeagel impressions and Alaska trivia.  It was all fantastic.

The orientation ended early Thursday morning, so I delayed my return trip back to Gross-Bieberau in order to do some sightseeing in Koeln.  I began my morning with a visit to the Koelner Dom.

I tried to walk around the inside, but I happened to arrive during a morning mass. Ushers blocked off the main area of the church so we wouldn't disrupt the service; however, I still managed to snap a few shots before heading up to the top of the towers.  

After I bought my ticket, I ended up walking behind another tourist (I think he was German?) and following him the entire way up (the spiraling staircase is a little narrow). He kept offering to stand aside so I could pass him, but honestly, my calves were unhappy and I predicted that if I passed him, he would have had to pass me and the I would have passed him and it would have been silly.  But the view at the top of the church was definitely worth the climb.    

After my climb, I walked to the Lindt Chocolate Museum. It smelled very nice in there. 

The chocolatier was enthusiastic about taking a photo with my spuddy buddy : )

After my visit to that museum, I had enough time to wander around by the river and the shops before getting back to the train station and catching my train back to Gross-Bieberau.