It is August 6, 2010 at about 7 a.m. Yesterday we decided to leave Bremen and take the train to Cologne a day early. We are getting quite good at managing the trains. We know how to check schedules, figure out which cars we can sit in, and how to jockey for seats. We arrived in Cologne in the afternoon. Our main goal was to see the Cologne Cathedral. Peggy decided to walk to the tourist office to see what we could do in this beautiful city. As she walked out the front door of the train station, there stood the most elaborate, huge, impressive, awe-inspiring building she had ever seen-the Cologne Cathedral. Wow-these words do not do it justice. We went inside and again were just in awe. We walked around the outside. It is amazing. Around 1265 the radiating capels and the ambulatory of the "newer" construction was completed. I will try to post pictures when I get to Osnabruck. This computer charges me 35 cents per minute and pictures are very slow to load, if I can find a USB port.
We are now waiting for a taxi to the train station. We will ride the train for about an hour or so to a small village south of Cologne. There we will catch a boat that will take us on a slow journey back towards Cologne on the River Rhein. We will be viewing several old castles. This should be fun. After the boat trip, we will board a train back to Cologne and then find a train to Osnabruck. We will stay in Osnabruck for three nights. On Saturday morning, our cousin, Udo Hartwig will pick us up and take us to Damme where his father, Robert lives. Robert is the son of Albert, our grandmother Julia's brother. We will be meeting severl members of this Hartwig line. We will also visit Bramsche, where Albert lived and pay a visit to the cemetery where Albert's grave is. I hope to learn some new information from Otto, older brother of Robert. By the way, if you are lost with all these names, Robert and my dad, Robert, would be first cousins because their parents were brother and sister. So our generation is second cousins. I am the first cousin, once removed to Robert. Yes, I know it is confusing.
Thanks Rob for the Holiday Inn. We had a great night. We had normal mattresses and amenities again and the computer keyboard is in American order. Yes, I am starting to feel a bit like a spoiled brat.
Off, taxi is here.
Sandy
