Our good friend, Sherry Danielsen is visiting and we took a weekend trip to Cologne and Dusseldorf, just a few hours north on the Rhine. We were invited by Pete's customer to see a hockey game at the ISS Dome, home of the Dusseldorf Metro Stars.
First we visited Cologne's massive Dom which is one of the five largest cathedrals in Europe (depending on who's measuring). The inside is massive and there are hundreds of stained glass windows
Apparently the economy is doing just fine here in Dusseldorf. The shopping district was absolutely mobbed with people on Saturday. This was just prior to Halloween and the following Monday is a holiday in most parts of Europe.
The game was between Cologne and Dusseldorf so it was a huge rivalry and at capacity. For hockey in Germany, that's about 9,000. The crowd is just as intense as a soccer game. There was an ex-U of MN Gopher hockey player on the team and we met his wife in the hospitality area; she was the only person speaking minnesotan in the room...that was our first clue.
On Sunday, we did a self-guided tour of Dusseldorf which is really very interesting - a nice mix of historical and modern architecture. It being late October, the colors were at a peak. And of course, more beautiful churches to visit.
On the river there were 3 interesting apartments designed by Frank Geary. They are considered here as sculptures and the new landmark in Dusseldorf.
We are headed back to South Dakota for a few weeks to get re-acquainted with friends and family. Pete will be back here in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mary is staying home through Christmas. Hope to see you or hear from you over the holiday season.
Tschus!
