Christmas in Germany Part I

Hi all! We have been so busy that I have not been able to

get these pictures up before now. We spent a week in Germany to
celebrate Christmas. The first part of our trip was spent in Cologne and Bonn.

On our way from the Frankfurt airport to Cologne we stopped
at me boss's house in Mayen by Koblenz. Regina prepared
a wonderful meal and Professor took us sightseeing.

This is the Dom in Cologne. 90% of Cologne was destroyed
in WWII but the Dam was not to be bombed. Building was started
in 1248 but because of the sheer size of this building it was not
finished until 1880. The towers are 515 ft high and were the

tallest structures in the world when it was finished. It was
built to house the relics of the Magi. These pictures do not do
it's size justice.

I guess this would be a good example - the market
and I look like ants and we barely got the cathedral in the picture.

This is the Nativity outside of the Dom.

This is one of our favorite pictures. We are in the

Christmas market looking up at the city's Christmas tree
with the Dom in the background.

It was chilly so what better way to warm up
than with a mug of traditional Gluhwein. It is a
German tradition to drink Gluhwein during the Christmas
season. Everyone has a mug and walks around the market.

Next stop - chocolate! There was every kind of
snack and food imaginable at the markets as you will see...

Here is Derek eating some champignons (mushrooms)
with a garlic sauce. Mmmmmm!

This is a picture of one of the Gluhwein cottages.

We walked to almost every market in Cologne.
Each had something a little different and all were
beautiful!

This was taken from the Christmas market with
an ice skating rink.

This was our favorite German beer house located

moments from the Dom. They brew Kolsch here.
It is the city's famous beer that can only brewed
within sight if the cathedral.

They serve Kolsch in small 1/4 liter glasses
because it does not stay fresh very long after it
is poured. Your waiter will replace your empty
glass with a full one whether you order or not.
If you don't want another you have to cover your
glass with a coaster.

This is the square right outside of Fruh.


One night we found this pretty outdoor
bar that was in one of the market tents. You
can see the chandeliers above me. They really go
all out!

On our way back to the hotel we came across
this real gingerbread house in a window. It

was amazing!

Another booth in one of the markets.



One of the windows at the shops where all of
the ornaments were sold.

This was our last day in Cologne and who can
go to Cologne without smelling the cologne?
As Frankfurt was a sausage to people before it
was a city, Cologne was first a fragrance. Eau de

Cologne is made from a secret formula and aged in
oak barrels. The most famous cologne is 4711, which
derives its name from the firms address at 4711
Glockegasse.


Now it was on to Bonn! We hopped in our trusty
Mercedes rental and got back on the Autobahn. Let me
just say that Germans really know how to drive! (at
speeds that are still mind boggling)
This is in the central square in Bonn with it's huge
Christmas tree. The Rathaus (Town Hall) is the
pink building in the background.

We found Santa outside of the restaurant for lunch.
This was taken at Em Hottche. Beethoven was a
regular at this tavern which has been around since
the late 14th century.


Another cute tavern in Bonn. Bonn was the postwar
seat of the federal government until the capital
returned to Berlin in 1999.


Next, we were on the Beethoven House. Ludwig van
Beethoven was born in this house on December 17,
1770. He lived here until he was 22. Inside you
could see actual instruments that he played including

two of his grand pianos.

This was part of the market in Bonn.



Bonn very much had the feel of a small town.
At night every little street was a glow with lights.


The next day we were back at the market for
breakfast, of course. Derek and I shared this amazing,
freshly made apple pancake. Yummy!


Here are pictures of the Christmas market during
the day.

We almost missed this statue of Beethoven
in the square.

Now we were off to Nuremberg! Stayed tuned...