Cologne

This has got to be the shortest country stop ever, as I've only been in Germany for two days. Poor planning on my part, as I enjoyed what little bit I was able to experience only to leave today for London.
When I left California to travel, I intended on spending most of my time in the Mediterranean, and possibly Indonesia and Hawaii. Yes, that's a beachy sunshine trend you're noticing. What is actually happening, is that I am traveling to places I feel inclined to visit, or places that are easy and affordable to get to.  What I am finding in traveling this way, is that clearly I don't know best, because so far every place I've been that I didn't intend to see has been wonderful. Cologne being top of the list.

I had no intentions on visiting Germany, but am completely floored by how beautiful and friendly it has been to me, in my two days here. The Dom is breathtaking, and haunting when clouds loom nearby. The city seems to be a very intentional design of mass transit webs and the intermingling of old and new architecture. Nothing about this place seems to be haphazard.

When I first went inside the Dom, I remember feeling a haunting weight of presence. I couldn't wait to take photos of the architecture because it fascinates me. It always strikes me that when cathedrals are being built, perhaps they are most detailed because the architects and builders are so impassioned with purpose? "Regular" buildings almost never seem to evoke the same feeling of passionate building.

Taking photos inside of churches and cathedrals always feels awkward to me, and I try very hard not to disrupt or photograph people who are there to worship. This is their very private, intimate space, and I am a wandering tourist. I pulled out my camera to snap a photo of the ceiling, and ended up capturing the man you see in the very bottom of the picture. He started talking German to me, and I instantly felt small and intrusive.  Apologetically, I tried to explain that I wouldn't use the flash anymore, he went on again in German. So I asked if maybe photos were not allowed? (Which seemed odd as MANY people were taking them) He said no, that the flash would not matter, he had ruined my photo and recommended I take another. Embarrassed, I showed him the photo,

and that I was only trying to get the ceiling. Then the conversation steered into where I am from, and where I have been in my adventure. He asked me if California is still mostly filled with Spanish speaking immigrants, I said not completely, but partially. He asked if we still have a "border problem," I said we did, and he laughed. He explained to me that Europe is no longer for Europeans, and that Europe has a very big border problem, but that you will never hear Europe speak of it. At this point he had a look on his face like he was afraid of getting busted gossiping. He said you will never hear Europe speak of it because we like to think that is a US problem, and we are unlike you. Then he cracked himself up at the hypocrisy of this mindset. He said, you know, if your family is European, we would be better off having young people like you move here, at least it would be Europeans returning to Europe and some day I won't be the only true European left. Our conversation steered into politics, and politicians, how corruption is everywhere, as is the divine. I apologized for interrupting his prayer, and he thanked me, with a tear in his eye. He took my hand and kissed the back of it, telling me I am a treasure, apologized for taking my time and went about his day.

People are a gift. The elderly, people who have lived a thousand stories are a gift. I hope we never forget that.