Koln, Germany

Kolner Dom

This past weekend was a 3-day weekend for Brent, so we packed up the car and headed to Koln (Cologne) Germany. Koln is only 2 1/2 hours away and we actually made it in about that much time.  I am not sure how, but I think I might have witnessed a miracle. (If wondering why, read about our trip to Paris)

Upon arrival we had pent-up energy from sitting for SO long that we decided to climb to the top of the Kolner Dom.  The children climbed with our friend Ron at record speed I am sure.  Brent stayed behind with the straggler, me. Not the best day to choose style over comfort.  Boots with heels are not the best way to climb a small and winding staircase. There was only one way up and down, so part of the time I was barely stepping on any stone as the crowd of people were trying to get past each other..  A little scary.

Forest Art

After this amazing feet we were starving.  (We hadn't eaten for like 3 hours.)  We headed to the massive train station to find a place to eat.  We divided and conquered the quest for lunch.  The adults bringing sushi/Chinese food in to the Pizza Hut for the kids.  After lunch we walked around a chocolate/candy and bought the kids a bag.  (Everything seems to go so much smoother when food and candy are involved.)

We then watched street performers and toured inside the cathedral.  We were a little tired of walking around so we decided to take a little train tour of Koln. Honestly it was kinda hmm, but it was nice to sit, chat and eat candy.  The kids loved it.

Rheinfels Castle

The next day we went to Rheinfels Castle near the town of St. Goar on the Rhine River.  This castle, built in 1245, is now in ruins.  It is amazing to see the size of this place, even in such a state.  There is a maze of tunnels underneath the ruins that you can go into still today.  It is so small that most adults would have to crawl through them.  Shea was the bravest and went with Brent first.  The boys followed later.  The boys went through twice and Shea 4 times.  Colleen 0.  I hate small spaces, especially in the dark.  The Rhine River was so beautiful dressed in its' full Autumn attire.  On the way home we looked down a forest road and had to turn around.  Carved out of trees were the coolest wooded statues.  Someone has amazing talent hidden in the forest.  My guess...forest gnomes.

The large prison cell (30 people)

Monday was All-Saints' Day and no school.  We were still in Koln and decided to go to the "El De" house.  It was used as a Gestapo Prison during WWII.  In the basement were cells built to hold 1 or two person, but really held 8-10 sometimes more.  On the walls were engraving written by the prisoners themselves in many different languages.  Russian, Czech, French, Dutch, German, Romanian and on.  Many saying they didn't know why they were there and about the torture they could hear coming from the other rooms. Heart wrenching stories. These stories could change a persons' life if we pondered them for any amount of time and....if we let them.


©ColleenFisher