En route to Berlin we took to a train to Colone (Köln) to catch some Christmas spirit the German way. Clearly, it was available in abundance.
The other reason to see Köln was the Dom - the monstrous cathedral that appears to dominate the center of the city. While beautiful, it is also made somewhat more accessible during the holidays by the multitudes of stalls dotted around its base, all selling delicious German fried foods, warm knitted items, and random fruits and marshmallows dipped in abundant layers of chocolate. What's not to like?
The Dom did have some quirks, like this one statue that appears to be trying to escape from the wall of the cathedral, much like an alien bursting from the stomach of its host. You might have to click on the picture for the larger view to get the full, rather startling, effect.
However, I guess these things have to be expected from a building that took 632 years to build. People can get quirky with these long-term projects.
One quirkiness example - this stained glass. Where is the traditional religious scene done up in colored shards? Instead, we have a modern example of what looks like a computer screen that can't quite render the screen correctly so just gives up and displays its favorite colors instead. Maybe this is just what happens when the real stained glass is sent out for cleaning.
One final anachronism I noticed -- the nearby "Chicago Steakhouse" within sight of the Dom. I guess it's true that no matter how far you travel, you can find a way to feel at home.
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