I knew that I couldn’t check into my hotel until 2 and I didn’t really want to carry my bag of stuff with me while I went exploring, so I finished my last blog post at the coffee shop and then headed over to the hotel a little after 2:30. (Nothing like being prepared ahead of time!)
I settled in with a hot chocolate (because they have their Christmas/holiday drinks out now) and my devices, and began writing and planning what to do during my time in Cologne. When in doubt, look for a Starbucks and you will find baristas who speak English and coffee that you recognize. After such an early morning (catching a taxi before 5am meant that I had to be up around 4:30!) and a very restless week of sleep, I was very in need of some coffee. I took a tour of the Cathedral, taking some time to sit and rest both my body and soul. I started the morning at the Dom (Cathedral) located right outside of the train station in Cologne. Because, for better or worse, I was there - in Germany - alone, for a weekend. There was the disappointment of not getting my passport stamped (I know that it may sound silly, but I want the proof in ink that I took this trip!), the anxiety as I waited in line to buy a ticket from the ticket kiosk (and listened to all the German being spoken surrounding me), and the excitement of having made it. I won’t lie, there was a mixture of emotions as I stepped out of the plane and made my way through the airport. My first adventure alone in a foreign city since I arrived in Spain. (The display I was greeted by in the Madrid airport on Friday morning) From my arrival to the Madrid airport to my departure from the Köln train station, my weekend seemed to be seeped in the start of Advent and Christmas celebrations. Okay, while I didn’t plan this, I feel as though I managed to find the perfect way to kickoff the (pre)season of Advent and, for all intents and purposes, Christmas! If anyone is looking to really start the season of preparation for Christmas right, head to Germany.
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