(image via weheartit}
I’ll be going back to Europe next month. In 23 days, to be exact. I can’t wait.
I grew up in a small town 30 minutes outside of Köln (Cologne). I liked growing up having that small-town feel, and yet being able to hop on a train and go to a big city in no time. When people ask me where I am from, I proudly tell them that I am from the Rhineland. When I think of home, I think of Köln.
Even though I have never technically lived within its city boundaries, Köln represents everything about home to me. When I see a picture of the skyline above, my heart gets all fluttery and excited. I have family and friends in Köln, although I don’t really need any excuse to go there. I always make a point of spending some time in Köln when I go back to visit anyway.
J’s dying to have lunch at “Early Beer” (his cute nickname for the “Früh“( engl.: early) brewery), where they actually serve you beer as early as 8 a.m. in the morning along with some traditional – really yummy, I’d like to add – German food.
I, on the other hand, can’t wait to walk around, have coffee in one of the many authentic little coffee places and take yet again a gazillion photos of the cathedral, the Alder Maat (Old Market) and the Rhine, like it is the very first time. I never get tired of the views.
Although I have permanently lived in California for almost 4 years now (and on and off for the 4,5 years before then), whenever I go home and walk the streets of Cologne, it feels like I haven’t been away at all. It’s kind of nice to call two places in this world home.
kim
April 13, 2010 at 1:23 amOMG, OMG, OMG you booked!!! awesome and the bestest news!
i cannot WAIT to see you! HDGGGDL and we need to talk. *smooches*
.-= kim´s last blog ..austrians talk funny and bavaria has lots of churches =-.
San
April 15, 2010 at 12:16 pmHaven’t booked yet (I know, ich hab die Ruhe weg ;))… but I’ll definitely be there in May, no matter what.
Deia
April 13, 2010 at 2:00 amI know this feeling. I grew up near Augsburg, a city in Bavaria and though I’ve never lived within the cities boundaries I feel like at home there. Might come from the fact that I went to school and university there…
And I think it’s great that you still feel at home here though you’re living so far away…
.-= Deia´s last blog ..On healthy living (1) =-.
Maribeth
April 13, 2010 at 5:13 amI am not sure when I will be in Berlin. It’s all up to Anneliese. Once she goes into heat, then I will be off to Germany! I can hardly wait!!!
.-= Maribeth´s last blog ..Spam & Taxes =-.
Emily Jane
April 13, 2010 at 6:25 amWhat a GORGEOUS photo!! I still feel that way when I see photos of London – I’ve been here ten years and still England feels like home. Only 3 months for me :)
.-= Emily Jane´s last blog ..80s Time Traps, McCartney & Gaga, and Weapon-Wielding Monarchs: April = AWESOME =-.
San
April 15, 2010 at 12:15 pmI am so excited that you’re going to England and will be seeing your Nan! :)
Karen
April 13, 2010 at 3:42 pmI have yet to be to Cologne other than passing through on the train. It looks beautiful though. I’ll have to visit one day.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Protected: A picture says more than words =-.
San
April 15, 2010 at 12:16 pmOMG, yes! You HAVE TO visit Köln!
ute
April 13, 2010 at 5:00 pmmakes me wanna go to Koeln now! darn it! :) Miss you girl
Hannah Katy
April 14, 2010 at 6:00 amMay I please come with? Ha, beautiful post love. Great picture!
San
April 15, 2010 at 12:17 pmI’ll happily make some room in my suitcase for you :)
Tinka
April 14, 2010 at 6:25 amhow exciting!!!!!!!! that is so cool!!!! I can’t wait to see pictures from your trip!!! :)
.-= Tinka´s last blog ..Hello, Germany! =-.
Stefanie
April 14, 2010 at 6:43 amSo exciting!!! I don’t know when we will be visiting Germany again. It’s definitely not going to happen this year but I have plans for next year. We’ll see. There is so much going on right now that Germany is the last thing on my mind.
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..Five Years! =-.
San
April 15, 2010 at 12:17 pmThere could be a gazillion things on my mind – Germany is always at the forefront ;)
Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks
April 14, 2010 at 10:58 amMy father speaks very fondly on Cologne. I have yet to visit. I think there’s something special when someone can feel like home is in more than one place. It’s such a wonderful and versatile trait.
.-= Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks´s last blog ..Productive =-.
San
April 15, 2010 at 12:18 pmOh, how wonderful that your Dad has been to Cologne! (On what occasion?) I hope you get to go and visit sometime.
terra
April 15, 2010 at 2:11 pmGermany is such a beautiful country. I want to go back so bad! We only got a day to wander around Munich and a day to wander around Nuremberg, both beauitful places. I look forward to seeing some the photos you take while you’re back at your “other” home!
.-= terra´s last blog ..Video Killed the Radio Star (and ate my soul) =-.
Katja
April 19, 2010 at 11:55 amIn case you and J have got enough time you should definitly have an “evening beer” at https://www.haus-schnackertz.de/ The food is great, the waiters are really nice and the atmosphere is great as well… and in case you won`t enjoy it as much as we usually do …you can walk around the corner, knock on my door ;-) and complain… or just have a Kabänes ;-)
Best wishes from Kölle,
Katja