Cologne

 Cologne is considered by some to be the San Francisco of Germany; very liberal, inclusive of minorities and gay rights, thriving art community. Ford has miles of plants there. Josh was sent 12 years ago to work for a month on an engineering project. It was his first European adventure. he got to stay in the city center and loved it

There were many things I planned to see there. Unfortunately we were not allowed to go back in the afternoon. I was disappointed and angry with Viking. There had been a drought causing very low water levels which somehow meant we were way behind schedule. As it was, we stopped in Düsseldorf to be bused into Cologne while the boat very slowly made its way We returned to some small village on the way. But there was no room for us in the main docking area in Cologne and we were docked in some industrial park with no egress. The other ship got the berth ( and later on in two other ports, the best berths) why were were second all the time?

On the Dom square a gelato place Josh said he would go to every night 

Art museum 

Old Roman gate

When the Allies thoroughly bombed Cologne underneath the wreckage they discovered a Roman village. this floor is 2000

Years old

A mix of modern and old

A city building topped with a ‘flying Ford’

Back of the cathedral and pretty shops

The Dom or cathedral. As it was Sunday morning we couldn’t go in. I planned on going later but that didn’t happen

I guess My Sharonna was played here too

Pretty buildings. In general Cathedrals weren’t bombed as pilots needed them to sight but the Cologne cathedral is right next to the train station, a favored bombing target so it was damaged