Cologne and Botanical Gardens

We ended our third week in Bonn with a three-day weekend for Bruce.  This was originally going to be our Paris  trip weekend, but we ended up deciding not to go.  Instead we spent Saturday relaxing at a cafe in the Munsterplatz in  Bonn.

The boys are going to miss the Munsterplatz and terrorizing chasing pigeons.

Sunday we took the train to Cologne for the day.  I really loved Cologne.  There were so many little twists, turns, alleys, and cute little shops and restaurants.  The Cathedral is unbelievable.  It's something that must be experienced because I know the photos won't do it justice and of course, my descriptions won't either.  There were so many visitors there.  We have been very careful when visiting churches here to always be respectful to Jesus present in the tabernacle when we enter.  As we were touring, we found, off to the side, a small adoration chapel and went in for as long as the boys could stand, which was only about 5 minutes.    Of the maybe 500 -1000 people touring the church, there were 9 people in the chapel, including the 4 of us.

Soaring up at least 500 meters, I believe.  Makes you feel so small.  I think that is the exact intent.  The Dom (as the locals call it) houses many relics including the remains of the Magi.  This made Cologne a number one Pilgrimage destination in the early part of the Middle Ages. 

 The Gero Crucifix, dating to around the year 940.

 The Stations of the Cross were amazing.  There is no perspective here, but they are much taller than me and just exquisite.

 The Adoration Chapel

 The boys under a ruin from the Roman Empire.  Cologne (means colony)  used to be an outpost for the Roman Empire.  There is a really cool mosaic floor in the Germany Roman Museum which dates back to BC. It was discovered when they were digging the foundation for the building.  It is fully intact.  It can be seen through a window in the museum.  Amazing. 

 The boys play in a fountain by the Rhein.  There were children swimming naked, but we didn't let them.  Andrew was completely soaked and we had no change of clothes for him.  He was so cold.  Since then, I have carried an extra pair of shorts for each everywhere we go.

 Ice Cream in Cologne.

The boys playing with the Dom in the background.

Andrew and Mommy at the Slavic cafe.  Mommy trying to look European with my new scarf. 

Finally, we thought maybe we ran into a Goth convention or flashmob at the Gothic Cathedral.  I later spoke to a friend in Bonn and she said that they were there when she went so I guess they just go and hang out there on the weekends?  Anyway, the boys were mezmerized and Bruce and I had to pull them past.  It was kinda funny.  There were even little baby goths.  ??????

Monday we spent a lazy morning in the apartment.  It rained and in the afternoon went to the Bonn Botanic Garden.  It was a nice easy leisurely day.