Nothing is Sweeter than Weekend Excursions (except maybe chocolate)

A bit of a late update... but last weekend was our first weekend in Bonn (and Germany for that matter)! It was such an exciting prospect to have a full two days free with nothing planned, and we formulated plans to fill those days quickly. The small group I have started to spend a lot of my time with (my friends Ysabella, Maria, and Melissa) heard of another separate group also interested in the Cologne chocolate museum and it was then decided: we were leaving Bonn on Saturday!

The reasoning behind not planning any international excursions of my own for the first weekend in Bonn was simple: I felt I would appreciate the time to adjust and get a lay of the land in Bonn. But honestly I have been so surprised within the first week how much confidence I have gained navigating a previously unfamiliar city. As someone who has hardly ever used any form of public transport, I suddenly feel incredibly competent at reading subway timetables, buying appropriate tickets, and knowing where to go. This led to the inevitable decision to have an incredibly fun day in the nearby city of Cologne.

The first striking part of the city was immediately visible upon leaving 

the Cologne Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), and it is the city's 

signature cathedral. At 157 meters high and completely imposing to 

the skyline, it was definitely a breathtaking shock to my system. 

After snapping some quick pictures, our group decided we had time before our chocolate museum tour at 2:00 PM to find something else to do, so naturally we went to go find the Cologne Zoo. We surprisingly easily were able to navigate the subways and head straight there, get tickets, and get inside.

It was a blast and reminded me of home.
This was one very handsome bird I saw.

As we started to get closer to the time we were planning on leaving the zoo, we had to usher ourselves fairly quickly through the gift shop and past the last few animal exhibits. We rushed onto a train and returned to Central Station with time to spare: so naturally those of us that were starving grabbed some McDonalds and inhaled it as we rushed to a bus, realizing it was the last one that should get us there on time.

Spoiler alert: It Didn't.

But that's okay, because even after rolling up to the museum at 2:03 exactly, and rushing in with our tickets out and profusely apologizing, the very kind ticket people simply scanned us, gave us tickets, and ushered us a room or two deep into the museum where the tour had only barely started without us. A good lesson for the next time where missing an appointment could result in much worth (e.g. death by the hands of an unnamed caring but punctual professor).

The museum was interesting and the
samples were absolutely delicious. We
went to the chocolate cafe and all left
the Lindt chocolate shop bogged down
with bars for ourselves and gifts to
bring back home.

After that slightly harrowing but ultimately rewarding experience, we decided with still several hours in the day left to head back to the zoo, where our tickets were still valid to explore the aquarium we didn't even have time to enter the first time around. So we walked around in the slightly sticky heat that was keeping the reptiles there warm and comfortable while we admired some fish and other really pretty animals.

These little Nemo fellows were happy as
clams in their little anemone homes. 

An exhausted eight History of Medicine students trudged themself back onto the train platform and back to Bonn at the end of the day, completely spent physically by the hours we spent together exploring a new city.

Sunday was just as fun, as almost the entire same group decided to sleep in a bit from the tiring previous day and go to the Natural History Museum in Bonn (mostly because of the free admission), and found so many great displays and dioramas! After the recent zoo visit it was definitely different for them to not be moving at all but thats just how it be sometimes.

Beautiful little arctic fox

Collection of dozens of moths and butterflies!
This was specifically in an exhibit dedicated
to showcasing research of some of the scientists
and entomologists of Bonn.

When we decided we were finally done with educational activities for the day, we took a trip out to one of the nearby pools and found several huge pools and a beautiful lawn with shade and sun to just relax in as the hot summer day drew closer to sundown. The chilly pool water was incredibly nice and alternating it with laying in the warm sun listening to music was an excellent way to end my weekend of fun and new experiences, including making a couple new friends along the way. 

Me, in my special summery shirt I got from
my girlfriend back home, enjoying the summer
sun and the end of my first free weekend in Bonn.