After waking up from a sleepless night in the economy class on the Delta plane, our plane landed at the Brussels airport. The pilot announced a temperature of about -1C and I saw a dreary foggy sky blanketing a green countryside and raindrops on the window. I got through customs in a breeze, with plenty of time to catch my train to Brussels Nord, where I would catch my train to Cologne.
Feeling quite lost, I met three British men who also seemed unsure if we were hopping on the right train to our destination into Brussels. I found a group of men who were walking into the train in uniforms that appeared to work for the train company. They said it would take me to my station, so I sat back and caught a glimpse of Brussels. When the train stopped at my station and I stepped out, it was chilly, windy and rainy. Not pleasant weather, so I stepped into the shelter and waited for my train.
Others waited eagerly with me for the train, but my wait wasn't long. The German DB train stopped, so I went in and found a seat. As we started to leave Brussels and Belgium, the sky started to clear and I saw the comforting sky and sun wash the countryside landscape with light. We passed small towns and Liege, which looked like a really interesting and rather large town. The station was modern with large white arches.
When we approached Cologne (Köln) Station and I emerged from the train into the bustle, I saw a beautiful almost Victorian train station like what you might imagine to see in Antwerp, massive steel arches and grids. The station below is a labyrinth of eateries and small shops. I saw so many things I wanted to eat, but I waited to see if I might find more interesting places outside. When you leave the station entrance, you look up and find the massive gothic Köln Dom or Cologne Cathedral. The cathedral dominates the place, drawing you to it and captivating you from all angles. The structure is rather overwhelming, darkened with age and probably witness to some of the wars in the last century.
I entered the cathedral, expecting to pay a fee, but you can visit it for free. I approached an alter to Mary I believe, offered a donation to light a candle and said a small prayer for safe travel through Europe. I felt awkward, praying, something I haven't been used to doing in years, but others prayed and I thought it wouldn't hurt to offer a little prayer. I'm not religious but I'm drawn to these gothic cathedrals, never tired of experiencing the grandness and beauty of these places.
(to be continued)