Day 7 A much needed better day

July 12th, 2007
Approximately 9 pm
Day 7

We've been here an entire week already. This has been a week of ages, by this I mean everyday has been long... Very long.

Today was better though, we didn't have to meet until after 9 am at the hbf. Kendall and I were late again. I've been telling others,if they hang out with me they are bound to be late... As I am often.

We took the train thirty min to Cologne. A friend of mine told me to visit Cologne, and he said when I stepped off the train I would be amazed... I was, before me stood the grand Cologne Cathedral in all it's gloriful presence. At that moment, I truly realized how small I am.

¤Before I forget, on Tuesday we visited the Pleasure Palace in Bonn. I'm not exactly sure on the German pronunciation. This was a modern castle at the time. No huge stone walls or fortresses, but more of a hunting lodge of the times. Not a giant structure but a series of 5 pink buildings. A central main building, a west and east wing, along with two guards gates at either end of the entrance. There was a huge nature influence in these buildings, everything was emaculately decorated with plants and animals. Definitely a stylish, extravagant, underused home of the time.

We visited an art museum, who was having a special display on works of animals. We took notes, while an excellent tour guide gave us his interpretation of the artwork. There were works from early centuries and the first attempts at taxedermy along with impressionistic paintings and lifelike sculptures. A great exhibit with the culture of monkeys used in art and such; however, again the only medicine we've seen is the lesson in bioethics.

Approx noon
The team and I enjoyed a traditional German meal, I had a mushroom pancake... Weird huh? I decided to live a little dangerously. Turned out to be great. I also enjoyed a few of the krolsch biers... A bitter rivalry lives between dusseldorf and cologne. Their different beer makes a huge topic of debate on who's is better. I just like beer, I don't discriminate.

Approx 2 pm
Our class took a tour of the city. Interesting, yet another tour... The ever present cathedral peered at me around every corner. One thing about Germany is... It's warm in the sun and cold in the shade. Sweater on... Sweater off.

Approx 4 pm
One of our more quiet professors went with us to a local bar where we tried more Cologne culture and shot the sh*t for awhile. We told our rendition of our run ins with the law and compared different ideas on topics. Amongst these, an idea that I seem to agree with was mentioned... "There is no such thing as bad sex, only sex you wouldn't want again." Haha I compared this to "There's no such thing as bad publicity." Maybe... Maybe not.

Approx 5:30
Jacob and I were looking for a loo before our cathedral tour began. Our tour guide kindly pointed us to the info center where it would be free to take a leak. He was mistaken... An older, black German lady stopped Jacob on our way out and insisted he pay fifty euro cents. To our dismay, we did... And grumbled as we both walked away. How rediculous is that? Would they rather me piss on the side of their building because I don't have change? Only large bill euros? And what do bums do? Instead of buying booze to ease their pain, do they save up fifty euro cents to use the bathroom? I think not! Anyways, we took a special tour of the infamous cathedral. We had a behind the scenes look at the roofing structure and the original tower. This, well besides Amsterdam, was the best thing I've done. My friend Drew was right... Breathtaking. I absolutely was taken away. I took an art history class as a sophomore, and I remember learning of the building. Truly great history and design influenced by several cultures. We walked on the edge of the roof and through the attic. I think our guide was actually happy with his job, or hobby.

Un we meet again...