Going To See It All: 2020-03-01

I'm ashamed I am only now getting this blog finished. I apologize to my friends who I stayed with and visited with. I just had such a huge trip and it was mind boggling getting most of the blogs done. I still have a few to work on.

My trip to Dusseldorf and area was to see my friend Silke, who I met by chance in Oslo, Norway last year. We were both alone and she was standing by a cool, huge statute and I asked her if she would take my picture and I would take hers. We visited a bit, but each had our own day agenda to complete. I asked if she was busy the next day and we were able to have lunch together and hang out. We had fun and we were instant friends. She's a lovely person and I'm so glad we by chance met.

Not a usual tourist hub, but since my friend lives in the area I took a train from Berlin to Dusseldorf on September 28, 2018 and left for Paris on October 3rd. Silke met me at the train and from there our fun adventure began. Never a dull moment!!!!

Silke took me to a great place that is now a favorite of mine called Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord. I fell in love with it. They have reused this huge old facility for recreation and so many people are out there enjoying it -- free. Germans love to be outdoors enjoying activities. Like a huge, crazy park for events and all ages of people were out enjoying. We saw an excellent car show and it was fun seeing so many American cars in Germany. They have a huge, and I mean huge, old silo type thing and they are now using that for teaching SCUBA diving. I was wondering why in the middle of Germany people were walking around in wetsuits and diving gear. Great use, reuse.

We went to a wonderful park where there were........to my great surprise, flamingos. The landscape was lovely and speciality gardens. Enjoyed walking around as each turn on the path brought a new surprise.

Silke was the best hostess and we had the best time together. She took me EVERYWHERE and we saw so many wonderful things, botanical gardens, churches, castles, a cat cafe and we had such delicious meals. She shared her friend, Nina, with me and she made leek soup (specially for me since I'd never had it) and we had a lovely dinner together. She wanted to show me so much and to have me experience new foods. One thing I really appreciated is that even though she is so much taller than me and I'm sure walks pretty fast, she always stayed with me and never made me feel like I had to catch up.

A mention of the Cat Cafe in Dusseldorf because it was a first for me. There were maybe 4 cats out in the dining area and you could pet or play with them (if they were in the mood). You sanatized your hands when you went in and ordered coffee or snack and got to enjoy the cats. They were pretty sleepy and full when we were there, but it was great fun. You could tell they were spoiled by love and attention.

This area of Germany is beautiful and green, fields with crops growing, and many beautiful trees. We were able to go "over the border" to the Netherlands" - a first for me. This almost took care of my trek to see all countries of my roots, Dutch, so I only have Wales left and I will have touched ground for all seven. We went to Venlo, a lovely, sweet city -- very full of tourists and locals too. Visiting their nice grocery store I wanted to pack ten boxes and ship home so many things. I did get gouda with cumin (my favorite cheese) so that was thrilling. I should have bought more and brought it home.

Silke was just the best hostess and I appreciate everything she did for me. She drove us around and found all the top sites and interesting places. I even got to meet her beekeeper friend and bought some of his lavender honey and he gave me a little pack of his homemade chocolate walnuts.

Kempen, where she lives is a walled city and we did lots of walking around and had dinner there one night and ice cream too. The first mention of this city was 1186. The population is 2016 was around 25,000. There is a castle, all cobblestone streets and it is charming with lots of beautiful shops for clothes and specialty food. I'm so glad I was able to visit Kempen and highly recommend it for a stop when anyone is visiting Germany.

I was also able to see another friend from Germany. Andrea, who I met in 2016 in Dublin, Ireland on a walking tour. She lives in Cologne. I contacted her and Silke was able to take me over there and we spent the day with Andrea. She is an actress and just got her degree. She is young and one of the sweetest little gals I've ever met. Her personality just shines through.

Her dad kindly took time out of his day to meet us and took us through their famous cemetery. Quite impressive and some of the largest tombstones I've ever seen. Had a little rain, but then we had a rainbow and the day warmed up. We walked around and then went to the famous Cologne Cathedral. I had been there in 1980 with John so that was a sweet memory. Walked around inside and it was so impressive. After the Cathedral we went to a nice late lunch at the oldest beer brewery, 1311, in Cologne - Brauhaus Sion Gastraum. They only serve one beer, Sion Kölsch so don't make the heresy and mistake to ask for another type of beer. Andrea had to leave us around 2:00 p.m. and Silke and I headed home. It was so fun seeing Andrea. I felt so lucky to have seen two intrepid travelers, one in Oslo, one in Dublin) and here we were together again. Truly a magical day.

I hope all my friends (Silke, Nina and Andrea) come to visit me so I can show them around all our great places on the Gulf Coast. I really want to repay the hospitality that was shown. I am blessed beyond belief.

Too fun, coffee at Cat Cafe

Dusseldorf, Germany