"Kölle Alaaf!"- Carnival in Cologne & Dusseldorf

Two weekends ago we traveled to Cologne and Dusseldorf, Germany. We traveled via RyanAir (discount airline that nearly nullifies its cheap flights with the annoying hassle of getting to and from the discount airports) with two friends from Stockholm. Luckily, our friends, who are both German, were able to guide us through the bus/train system between the airport and Cologne.

The main train station in Cologne

We arrived Friday night and immediately changed into our costumes (Carnivale is kind of like a mix between Mardi Gras and Halloween in the U.S. and Oktoberfest-- Aaand it's as chaotic as you would imagine). In Cologne, or as the natives say, Koln, there is a traditional beer called Kolsch. It is served in very small, tall, thin glasses with volumes of only 200 ml. (A pint at a bar is usually 500 ml) The beer is very light which makes it easy to drink quickly and the small glasses make it easy to lose count... you see where this is going...

Us, all dressed up! Sorry it's blurry!

"In the depths of WINTER I finally learned there was in me an invincible Summer” - Albert Camus

Before moving to Stockholm, I had an understandable fear of the Winter weather. Phil's casual mention of walking outside and having any little water droplets on his beard instantly freeze sent me into a small fit of panic. And while I have avoided taunting the weather verbally for fear of its wrath, I have to admit that we have had a relatively mild Winter this year. A few days below zero C and not much snow- everyone I have talked to about it makes a point to stress is very unusual for Stockholm in December and January and that I should "just wait" and see. I was kind of disappointed in the lack of "winter wonderland" that I felt Sweden owed me. But I was able to get into the Christmas/ Holiday spirit thanks to the Christmas Markets and the NK (Swedish version of Saks) Holiday Windows!

I wish I could tell you that the best part was watching the little Swedes stick their noses to the glass to look at the displays, but alas, I was too busy sticking my nose to the glass to notice anything else. =) Luckily, Phil was able to draw my attention to the baby Swedes.