so i've been busy...

...too busy experiencing german life to email or post blogs, and for that, i apologize. it just leaves me with a lot of catching up to do.

so friday... we first began the day by going to an electronics store to get a converter, as the one i had is compatible in some parts of europe, but not germany. along the way, we were caught in a downpour of sorts, so we waited it out under the bridge until it had let up a bit. we also looked in a few record stores and kept walking until we ended up heading down to st. peter's cathedral and going inside. i realize the citizens of köln are probably or possibly not all that interested in seeing it for it is certainly, by now, rather commonplace to them, but i was overwhelmed and amazed to be in a place with such history and beauty. construction of the cathedral began in 1248, and wasn't completed for hundreds of years, and is constantly undergoing renovation and such. most recent was the addition of a new stained glass window, which features colourful pixels throughout.

and don't get me started on the organ, which is absolutely astounding! i only wish i could hear it played. but perhaps the highlight of the whole thing is the bones (or what's left of the bones) of the three kings (you know, the ones of orient) which are housed in gold shrine-like "boxes" in the cathedral (clearly, my descriptive prowess fails me). i had no idea, but i guess that's sort of the motivating factor for people to visit. so awesome! we also happened upon a crazy person talking to himself and johannes wanted to make fun of him, but i was a bit upset because i won't tolerate others talking bad about my teammates!!

next, we saw some museums housed around the cathedral, then walked along the marina and river front, all the way to the schokoladen museum! according to johannes, it is a bit boring, so we just went inside and looked at all the various types of chocolate available. we continued our walk until we reached a train stop, of which one direction would take us to the suburbs and the other, which would take us back to our resting place.

we got back and had some time to wind down, so we had dinner and then began the pillaging of my hard drive over a couple beers. before too long, it was time to head

down to another venue, stereo wonderland, (across the street from the one the previous night) to see darren hayman from hefner. the bar was small and intimate, but quite nice, and it was my first time seeing darren or hearing any of his music really, but i loved it. he's quite a natural entertainer (and i'm glad he spoke english otherwise i would have missed a large part of the concert experience, i fear).

after the show ended, we walked back and wound down the day watching "serenity" which is an altogether interesting and peculiar movie. then off to bed to prepare for our next day.