We went to Cologne (Koln) by train. Exiting the train looking at a map to the Cathedral...Bam! There it was... massive. Black from dirt and soot, it rose out of the scrawl of tourists and vendors and majestically dominated our view, 100 feet ahead of us.
Inside we roamed around like the tide with waves of tourists. There is so much detail in gold, stone and stained glass. Right before noon, they shooed everyone out who did not want to stay for a prayer service.
We sat down in a pew and enjoyed the mostly empty, hushed church. Then an organ began bellowing classical music that moved our hearts. It was an experience we will treasure.
We wandered around the downtown area and ate on the patio of a cafe.
There is a fast food chain in Germany with fries that our son says is "to die for." He was delighted to find it on a side street.
