10 things we learned in Germany (KK/LL)
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- Johannas Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press, is from the city of Mainz, Germany, and the Gutenberg Bible (the first book ever "mass" printed in this manner) was printed there. One of the 21 remaining complete copies is now in the Frankfurt University Library.
- We are 99% percent sure Kristi descends from royalty because there's a Castle Katz on the River Rhine. We have not yet fully confirmed it but just trust us on this one. Obviously, we are now using HRH with her name to seek better accommodations.
- Beer is cheaper than soft drinks in Germany, at least at the establishments we frequented. #savingeuros
- Frankfurt is the major financial center of the European continent, with the headquarters of the European Central Bank, German Federal Bank, Deutsch Bank and others located there.
- Kölsch is a pilsner beer brewed in Cologne, Germany and served in tall, cylindrical glasses. There are 26 different types. You drink the Kölsch in a "Brauhaus," the traditional German pub where the beer is brewed. We visited the Früh and Scion Brauhauses, where we also enjoyed excellent food.
- Germany's words are forever entertaining and will make you feel like you are in middle school again, including: fährt = ride; ausfahrt = exit; schmuck = jewelry; rathaus = town or city hall; pissoir = urinal; der dudelsack = bag pipes.
- Not that they are 'mean' by any stretch, but of all the places we've visited so far on our trip, the Germans were the least friendly overall. Generally nice, but not overtly helpful and sometimes brusque. We did meet a camera shop owner that seemed stern at first but was actually quite nice, so we suspect it could all be an act.
- The Cologne cathedral, built to house the bones (relics) of the Three Wisemen (the 3 Magi), took 632 years to build. Begun in 1248, construction halted in 1560 due to lack of money and waning interest, and for more than 300 years it sat unfinished with a huge 15th century building crane on top of the incomplete South Tower. It was finally completed in 1880. The cathedral suffered direct hits by aerial bombs during World War II causing great damage, but most of the stained glass windows were removed and safely hidden prior to the bombings. The removal of all that glass left gaping holes in the building, which made the pressure bombs dropping all around it ineffective in bringing down the cathedral's walls. (Sidebar: apparently if you take too many pictures of one Cathedral your camera will break...or maybe it will just need a break.) #Lindalovescathedrals
- Angela Merkel was re-elected as Chancellor for her 4th four-year term while we were in Germany. The first female Chancellor of Germany, she is currently Europe's longest-serving democratically elected leader.
- There are TWO train stations in Cologne. One near the our hotel and another, that we learned firsthand, is not so close to our hotel.