Handily, though, my hotel was a maybe ten-minute (with luggage) walk from the train station, which was great - no having to stuff around trying to find where to go to catch public transport, or having to learn how it works in terms of payment and so forth. I didn't need to set foot inside a vehicle the entire time I was in Cologne - other than a cable car - which was a nice change.
Oh, though Lisa - a friend from Adelaide who lives over here now - came for a visit and we did a bit of wandering around the city and then went to see 'Joker'. It was very strange watching a movie in another country, particularly one where they speak a language other than English. But this session was in English and didn't even have subtitles, but there was a fair crowd. Not sure how many were tourists like us.
We went through Cologne Cathedral and then up the stairs - so many effing stairs - to the viewing platform, which then made the stairs worth the effort. We also saw their collection of creepy dried body parts, including a box that contains the alleged remains of the three kings/magi/wise men from the birth of Jesus. It was brought here many years ago, presumably thanks to the Cologne tourist board - like today, visitors to the city brought money with them; some things never change.
As for the movie, I'm a bit conflicted; I think there was excellent elements to it, particularly Joaquin Phoenix's performance. But I found the movie itself, while compelling to watch, fell short of being truly satisfying as a narrative.
Anyway, to the travel stuff. Farewell, Berlin apartment and its private balcony.
Hello, church around the corner from my new hotel.
I was still in the clutches of a head cold and found a Vietnamese place not far away - so, Phở. It was much the same as what I've had in Australia, though the sauces you add yourself weren't quite the same.
My hotel.
Next day. I saw this and thought 'is that an abbreviation for aggressive gecko?'.
The ridiculously huge Cologne Cathedral.
The smaller but still quite impressive St Andrew's Church.
More cathedral.
And now inside.
Into the treasury.
And thus begins the creepy relic collection.
Apparently these ones are the remains of that favourite of both artists and archers, Saint Sebastian.
Back outside.
Now going up the stairs. We stop to admire the huge bell.
From higher up.
And down again.
The view from the cable car over the Rhine.
A sculpture park.
Next day. I have the first raisin toast - usually a staple for me on holidays, since UK/Irish B&Bs and cafes tend to have it; continental ones not so much.
I go wandering.
I found a very strange plaque referencing Neil Armstrong in Cologne. (if you click the link, do a search for 'Armstrong')
An Einstein-themed bar?
Cologne has some very large and modern metro stations.
Some more shots of the cathedral.
Inside the Wallraf-Richartz Museum for some art.
Baby Jesus has a strange haircut for a baby.
This one caught my eye for being very unusual.
He appears to be having a vision that's also a kite.
Hello again, Ginger Jesus.
A distinctly feminine-looking Saint Sebastian.
"Throw a sheep to the dragon and hope it goes away."
Some serious torture porn.
It's the entire story of Jesus on one page.
Tau cross. And someone selling Jesus tea-towels.
A very strange 3D painting/sculpture combo.
It's not the first time I've noticed a winged cow and lion, but I thought I'd better find out what they refer to - turns out the cow is Luke and the lion is Mark. Weird.
What the heck am I looking at?
And now a very feminine Magi.
Another artist who got stuck into the 'shrooms before painting.
Honestly, guys, if you're that close just stab him to death. No need to go to all the effort of cranking your damn crossbow.
The lobster looks to still be alive. I hope it gave someone a good pinch.
A portrait by Rubens - not really like most of his other stuff that I've seen.
A super-creepy musical family.
An Avercamp - one of quite a few I've seen this trip.
This one is by Friedrich Paul Nerly, who I'd never heard of before this. It's great.
Another picture of Don Quixote. A somewhat popular topic.
Lottie loved the opium.
This one is by Wilhelm Leibl.
And, to finish: a Monet.
Outside. Weather was looking nice.
No, this wasn't a Led Zeppelin themed bar.
This is a pound of bratwurst. I tried to order the half-pound, but the waiter wouldn't hear of it. And yes, I got through it all. Plus it came with a great onion sauce.
A terrible shot of the lit-up cathedral.
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