When you get beyond seeing the most freakin’ amazing gargantuan Gothic cathedral ever, you might get around to noticing the rest of Cologne. It may be in the shadow of that cathedral, but it sure isn’t dark.
The city has its own version of Mardi Gras every year, except they call it Karneval and it’s a festival that goes on for 6 days, at the end of which everything is guaranteed to be fully a-blur. But I’m not sure Karneval only lasts for 6 days; I think for the rest of the year the Colognials may turn it down, but they sure don’t turn it off.
As I learned in the Cologne City Museum, one of the sayings linked to Karneval is “Jede Jeck is anders” (every clown is different.) The Colognials love jesting, so you can’t help but smile and laugh; it would be un-Colognial not to. As far as they’re concerned, you’re just another clown who’s joined the never-ending street parade called life.
So go on, go to Cologne!
Eat the chocolate!
Drink the Kölsch beer! It’s good for you!
.)
Ride the piggy!
Dance with the bunnies!
Meet the locals!
Join the party!
I swear, if I’d stayed in Cologne even a single day longer, I would have been staggering through the streets howling “Alaaf Köln!” with the rest of them. Heck, I’m not even sure I didn’t…it’s all become a happy blur.