Hi all! (Or whoever still reads this)...
Ugh, how embarassing. I always have the best intentions when I post on this thing to continue the posts on a daily or (gasp) weekly basis, but then shrug it off or let life get in the way or just assume no one still reads this thing. But that shouldn't matter, right? It's a great way to discipline myself and that should be enough.
However, I just received the prettiest card from Britta and Philipp (hi Britta and Philipp!!!) basically asking for more posts. I'm very flattered that you guys even think to check this site, and apologize that I haven't posted more from our wonderful trip to Germany. Mike and I still have little outbursts of "genau!" and "super!" and "ich war noch neimals in New York", so let that be a testament to how much we enjoyed our time there and how much of a lasting impression it made.
That said, I hereby continue my posts on our Germany trip, starting with Day 2 in Köln.
Drumroll please...
Köln Cathedral
Köln Cathedral
Köln Cathedral
some familiar faces
flying buttresses
Köln Cathedral
inside Köln Cathedral with the bride-to-be
The bell tower at Köln Cathedral. This is halfway up something like 8 million steps to the top.
after step 7,999,999
View from the top
This reminds me of the view from the top of Christchurch cathedral
After climbing back down, Britta took us for Köln's own specially-brewed beer called "Kölsch"
our first lederhosen and semi-dirndl
I'm kind of in love with this picture
After seeing this photo, my buddy Lisa (and Prague-mate) pointed out that she stayed in one of these hotels when she visited Köln. These are down by the Rhein.
I'm kind of in love with this one too.
We returned to Bonn in the early afternoon with Britta, as she had lots of things to do before her wedding the next day. (
Side note: can you believe she actually had the energy and interest in shuttling us around the day before her wedding? Seriously, she's wunderbar).
Before dinner with Clemens (the best man), Marietta (the maid of honour), and Nora (our host for the next two nights while Britta and Philipp did "wedding things"), Mike and I decided to walk around Bonn and stopped in the "Wespennest" for a beer.
I guess we lost track of time (and beer) as on our walk home we saw Britta on her bike searching for us. The poor dear not only had to plan a dinner that night, and a wedding the next day (not to mention a honeymoon and then a research trip to West Africa three days later), but had to worry about silly Americans getting lost. Ugh.
She escorted us back to their flat where preparations were being made for dinner. I forget the French name, but the meal is basically a variation of fondue: everyone gets a little dish on which to put all sorts of vegetables and meat, top it with cheese, and then stuff it under this sort of hotplate that cooks and melts the cheese. It's so yummy and fun! Especially with wine!
the handles are the little personal cooking dishes.
Nora, Britta, and Marietta
Clemens and Philipp
As is to be expected with food and wine, good conversation was had. As is also to be expected with food and (especially) wine, I probably stuck my foot in my mouth a few times, but the hosts never made me feel like a dolt. :)
The Winter (or Summer) Palace on Poppelsdorfer Allee 
At some point during the day.
The bride and groom wearing our gifts. :) 
Beauty in the back garden.
Marietta (foreground) overseeing the sealing of the memory box that will be opened by Britta and Philipp on their first anniversary. I'd tell you what's inside, but B & P might read this. :) 
