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Ich Bein Ein un Berliner?
This week we are briefly leaving France (but don't worry, we'll be back!) I had the incredible opportunity to go to Germany to visit one of my good friends, Andy. He thought it would be a cool idea for me to stay with him for a few days and observe life in Germany. Needless to say, since Lille is so close, I decided to take him up on the offer. The train ride was short, comfortable, and most important, affordable - only about 40 €. Throughout the entire ride, I gazed out of the window at the beautiful scenery as I prepared myself for all that Germany had to offer. When I landed in Aachen (which is right next to Duren and Cologne), as promised, my friend was there to pick me up.
For my first day in Germany, Andy and I went to the beautiful city of Cologne. As you will soon see in my photos, it was incredibly breathtaking. One of the several amazing aspects of Cologne is its key location on both sides of the Rhine River. In addition to this perfect geographical positioning, the city of Cologne had some delicious food to offer, namely the sweets. As I walked throughout Germany, I could not seem to stop myself from eating the various German pastries such as the Berliner, the Americana, etc. (For an interesting, comical explanation of the "Berliner" please click the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mu02xUgE4k).
Our next adventure in Cologne was to the massive Cologne Cathedral (or "Kölner Dom" in German). The Cathedral is undoubtedly one of Germany's most visited landmarks. Dedicated to St. Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Cathedral serves as a vital landmark for the Roman Catholic Church. Its Gothic architecture, its historical importance, and its incomparable immenseness make the Cathedral an absolute must-see when visiting Germany. Like many other tourists, Andy and I climbed the 509 stone steps of the Church. While it was fatiguing, the view and experience from above made the moment unforgettable.
The next interesting landmark of Cologne that I'd like to share with you is the Cologne Rodenkirchen Bridge. Lingering over the Rhine river, the Cologne offers beautiful scenery for those who dare go up it. In Cologne, when a couple decides to marry, it is very common to go up the bridge with a key and lock. As an symbol of their never-ending love and commitment to one another, the couple attaches the lock to the bridge while throwing the key into the river. I find this extremely romantic and special.
Finally, on my last day in Cologne, Andy and I decided to visit the EL-DE-Haus. Located in the North of Cologne, EL-DE-Haus served as the Gistapo headquarters and prison during World War II. EL-DE is divided into three main parts : 1) the prison 2) NAZI history 3) NAZI propagandistic tactics and artifacts. When visiting the prison, the prison bars, the scratches on the walls, and the prisoners' last words make the experience unbelievably authentic. It offered a real-life glimpse into the torture that the prisoners underwent during World War II. The second floor of the museum mainly contained NAZI history facts and scholarly commentary on the events that took place. Finally, on the third floor, there was an ensemble of posters and other artifacts that the Nazis used to propagate their Antisemitic message. All in all, while the experience at the museum was rather saddening, the museem itself offered a compelling summation of life in Germany during this time. I encourage anyone interested in visiting Germany to visit EL-DE.
After the museum, Andy and I returned to his home where his family prepared a little small "goodbye dinner" for me. It was quite a touching experience. Germany is such a marvelous country. Unfortunately, my descriptions above do not even remotely give the city and German culture the justice they deserve. For this reason, I invite you to view the pictures I have posted in the online album. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to message me.
Auf Wiedersehen !
--André
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