Weekend in Köln (Cologne), Germany

On my way to Gießen (Giessen) I was able to stop over in Köln for a couple days before my next workaway stay.  My cousin Jake had an exchange student -Nina--living with him at UCSB last year and got me the connection! Thanks Jake!!  It was so nice just to sit on a couch and hang out and rejuvinate before my next workstay.  The first night I got in and just read an english book she had --just imagine if 'Spencer' was a teenager and kept a journal--while she was in class.  Then she and I watched episodes of 'The Big Bang Theory' and snacked on chocolates!! That is her favorite series and now it is mine as well--hillarious!! The next day we wandered around Köln and she showed me the sights.  The Köln cathedral is massive  and gothic, you feel so tiny inside.  We walked around the shops and walked by the Rhine river .  The weather was great partly cloudy and windy but still sunny enough.  Our lunch was Currywurst and pomme frites (french fries)--currywurst is the new thing in Germany these stands are everywhere, its a sausage with curry spices in it and it even came with some curry ketchup which is super tasty, and oh ya the fries came with mayo!  Afterwards she showed me the University and we walked through this beautiful green space.  That evening we went out for drinks and I practiced my German drink ordering skills which weren't great but got the job done.  Later on we went to her favorite local dance club 'The Rose' which played only alternative music--it was awesome!! Packed club all dancing to the Strokes, Franz Ferdinand and tons others--so much fun!!  The next morning I left for the train station ---YOU ROCK NINA!!! CHEERS!!