Our second day in Cologne was much like the first. Andrew and I wandered the streets aimlessly just taking it all in.We did make our way back across to the city to the Dom Cathedral only to find it was yet again in service for a noon mass. We got in the lobby (which was still as large as many churches back home) and managed to get a short look around.
Afterward we headed to a crafts section of the market where I purchased a Bier Stein. Its pretty cool looking and actually wasn't overly expensive either.
Not too long after I found a coin shop and bought a German mark minted in 1934 that would have been used during the 3rd Reich under Hitler. The front shows Hindenburg and the opposite shows the Nazi gold eagle grasping the swastika. Interestingly enough, the merchant told me that Hitler never had any coins minted with a bust of himself. His plan was to win the war and then implement a world currency system with his face on all currency (obviously this never happened) ergo no Hitler coins.
The German people themselves are very American like. They primarily speak German but I have yet to meet a citizen who couldn't string together some basic English sentences. On a whole they are more than happy to help you and answer your questions. They're pretty curious and generally want to know your story and why you're wandering through the Rhineland.
Cologne was a great trip and highly recommended as a weekend destination for any who care to experience some German culture.
I'm currently back in Brussels and preparing for a week of testing and finalizing some plans with my family for Easter Break!
All good; all the time,
Thomas
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