Cologne and Dusseldorf

Here I am in Germany, officially starting the next stage of my life.  I won’t be going back to Chicago after six weeks for another transition period.  The small selection of clothes in my suitcase will be my wardrobe until the next time I go home – whenever that may be.  My routine will change every two weeks, as I adapt to new colleagues, new cultures, and new ways of working.    

The view from my room was of the famous Cologne Cathedral and my view from the office was of a bridge that doubles as a climbing wall.  Normally I don’t even get a window in my workspace, so it was like a gift when I discovered I would have even the smallest taste of the outside world while I work.  It’s the little things that make a difference these days!

Here's the view from my room...

...and the view from my office window

On Saturday, I decided to get lost in the city and just go wherever the streets took me.  There isn’t much to do in Cologne and I had been there before, so it’s nice to enjoy a day without feeling obligated to see all the major sites.  I scored a really cool souvenir at used book market that convenes by the riverfront on the weekends. No, it wasn’t a book in German.  It was a map of Chicago...in German...from 1902.  I figured it would make a good gift for my boss or even for me, when I actually settle down again.  While shopping, I also ran across an impromptu parade with various cheerleading troupes.  Who doesn’t love random parades on a Saturday afternoon?           

Here's the first group doing a little routine

Not your typical cheerleaders but still hilariously entertaining!

Sunday was another marathon – this time in Dusseldorf.  I know, it has been less than 2 weeks since the Boston Marathon.  I know, I’m not even IN Dusseldorf.  However, my original schedule had me in Dusseldorf and I can’t pass up a race that’s so convenient.  I arrived WAY too early and the weather felt extremely cold.  So, I actually sat around in a subway station for almost an hour like a homeless person.  Eventually, I decided that the subway thing was stupid so I relocated to a bakery that smelled of warm deliciousness, bought myself a pastry, and sat in there for a while!

Finally, it was time to start walking to the race start.  I was reluctant to leave my jacket at the gear check, but I knew I would regret it if I had to run 42 kilometers with a North Face shell (and I certainly wasn’t going to throw away my only good jacket somewhere along the course)!

I always think running is such a unique way to see a new city and the Dusseldorf Marathon was no exception.  The homes were beautiful and the city was amazingly clean and orderly.  It is Germany, after all.  I was struck by the high security presence, which I attributed to the horrible events in Boston that were still fresh in everyone’s minds. 

By around mile 20, I was ready to be finished running. The last six miles seem to be my breaking point in most marathons but I was particularly worn out this time.  I started walking and could barely motivate myself to jog once again.  Of course, this happened to be where the majority of the photographers were stationed, so I got lots of hilarious candid pictures that looked like I was just out for a leisurely stroll on the streets of Dusseldorf! 

I act like I'm not in the middle of a race!

Even though my body was staging a revolt, I’ll admit that the finish line was very cool.  People were lined up along a higher street, looking down onto the runners as they approached the final turn.  My time was surprisingly respectable for having walked most of the last few miles.  I retrieved my bags, grabbed a few berliners (aka jelly donuts), and walked slowly back to the finish line to cheer on the other finishers. 

Overlooking the finish line from the street above

Corporate partners had their own tents with food.  I was jealous!

After enjoying the race atmosphere for a while, I decided it was time to venture back to Cologne.  During the train ride, I felt really satisfied with my choice to run.  The experience proved to me that people would still come out to cheer for runners, despite the recent bombings in Boston.  Even though security was higher, nothing else about the race felt all that much different to me. 

I returned to Cologne, took a long shower, and walked (very slowly) back to the Cathedral for an evensong.  Even though I couldn’t understand a single word of the service, it was amazing just to be part of the experience.  I thought back to the time my family visited me in London and I went to an evensong at Westminster with my Mom.  If I had unlimited funds, I would fly her out to Germany just to experience this with me because I know she would love it too.  

I started here but ended up in the choir loft...amazing acoustics!

The architectural detail is amazing