The Old Town (Alstadt)

walking in cobblestones was like walking back in time. now i understand why architects in dubai keep on using this feature in most of the property developments. it's the closest to reliving this european touch on the roads! the ticking of my boots on those algae-filled stones, and with the sound of authentic european music floating in the air, and with people talking in a different language -- this is like drifting me off to faraway land.

everywhere, people were just walking, biking, or eating al fresco, or drinking freshly brewed beer, or just simply standing out there in groups and talking endlessly! it's like a festival. there were alleys and bigger roads, but always, walkers will outnumber cars passing by.

then, wouldn't you believe--- there was a pinoy-videoke joint? and yes, the 'kabayan' spirit lives! we were walking past the joint when the guy by the door said 'kabayan!' in an obvious effort to get our attention. and he did! we managed a small talk, and he ushered us inside his videoke bar. and since we badly needed a CR (well, CRs does not come in handy in germany i guess), we took the opportunity to strike up a conversation, and ultimately, use the toilet. hehe. and of course, the guy told us we can't leave without singing a song! (as if i'd hesitate!). so there, in koln, i sang "til they take my heart away"...

that was just one adventure. a little later, in the midst of the crowd, a group of men approached us, wearing white shirt with german words written on it, with one guy wearing a wig. they told as that the guy in wig is already going to get married, and they were helping him to raise funds. how? well, for a kiss to the groom-to-be, we pay them one euro, or to whip him, two euros... hmm, of course we chose the cheaper one! hahah!

later, we walked towards the park and saw a stunt-- a girl walking by a tight rope! whoa, it's really difficult to earn money huh? and then, tired from all the walking and walking, we saw the locals lying lazily there on the grass, and did just like them. the difference was-- they were lying where the sun shines, and we were where the shade was. yeah. there were a lot of couples openly displaying their affection too. oh plz. there, as i lazily stretched my body on the grass, i looked up the sky, thanking God for bringing me to this wonderful place. i closed my eyes for a few minutes... later, mano walked away and came back with --- bradwurst! hmmm, it's impossible to finish this longggg suausage!

and of course, after resting, we walked again... and as we kept walking, we finally landed in the ------ shopping district! hmm, guess my feet really knows where to go! haha! the shopping area is not those huge malls, but just a row of single layer stores along a two-way road (closed to vehicles) which is full of people walking to and fro. we just let ourselves be swayed by the crowd. and here, when some of the stores have closed, the enterprising ones starts doing their street acts to earn money-- one pulled out the piano and started playing a nice music. a few blocks away, a guitarist. they play well, by the way. in the end of this stretch, i ended up empty handed, and mano and tita were the ones who managed to snuggled up some good buys.

and a little more walking, we finally ended back in the cathedral and to the Koln HBF station...