Cologne

Today I got back from a 4 day Fulbright conference in Koeln. Getting there was quite the adventure. NO... I did not get on a wrong bus or train. This time it was totally NOT my fault.

So we're supposed to the Fulbright people at the main train station in Koeln at 3:30 on Monday because the conference was outside Koeln and they bussed us to and from the train station. My friend Susan and I planned our train trip so we would end up getting there at 3:00. We were hoping to have some time to walk around a little because there's this REALLY huge and famous church built right next to the train station.

Everything is going fine. We're sitting on the train admiring the Rhein, but then we get to Bonn. The conductor comes over the loud speaker saying that the train is no longer going to be going to Koeln and that we have to get out. So we end up having to take an hour ride on a street car to Koeln. (Normally the train trip from Bonn to Koeln would have been like 15, maybe 20 min.) Keep in mind too that this street car was jam packed because everybody else on our train had to do the same thing we did. It was really hot and the windows didn't open.

Once we get to Koeln we're dancing around the train station for awhile because we had been told a lady from the group had stayed behind to find us. After what seemed like forever, we couldn't find the lady, so we left.

From the train station in Koeln we had to take another street car about 15 min. to the last stop and from there we had to catch a taxi to where the conference was being held. Luckily we ran into two other girls from the Fulbright groups so we were able to share a taxi with them which made it a lot cheaper.

We weren't the only four who had missed the bus to the conference from the train station in Koeln though. There were at least 8 of us.

It actually turned out ok because by the time we got there all the boring logistical stuff was over and we got to go straight to dinner.

We found out later that somebody had actually been hit by another train on the same track we were on by another train so our train couldn't get through because. We also heard that while the others were waiting for the bus at the main train station in Koeln a guy died on the steps of the Cathedral and the ambulance and everything had to come.

Weird day!

The conference was pretty good. I think it was aimed at people who have never taken education classes before so it got a little boring at times, but overall it was pretty good. Surprisingly the food was really good. I don't know what's wrong with American cafeteria food, but German cafeteria food is actually pretty good... and this is coming from a really picky eater.

I was REALLY impressed. I had brought sheets, blankets, a towel, and a pillow because I didn't know if the sheets were going to reek like detergent or fabric softener. Apparently Germans understand the concept that clean doesn't mean drenched in stench because I was able to sleep in the sheets no problem. They smelled like NOTHING. Imagine that. Usually when I stay at a hotel in the US I end up miserable and can't sleep because of the stenchy detergents they all use.

I am really glad to be home though. I find that I get really overwhelmed being around so many people for such a long time. (There were probably close to 200 people there.) I wasn't by myself for four days from morning until night. I like a little down or "me" time. It doesn't have to be long, but five or ten min. of silence does wonders for my brain.

Also, some chick was DRENCHED in patchouli oil. No matter where she was in the room I could smell her like she was sitting right next to me. Keep in mind too that the room was big enough to seat about 200 people and there were that many people there. OMG! I thought I was going to die! I really don't understand why people like to use that stuff. I really think it just makes you smell like dirty hippy. Not to mention it's really REALLY potent even to people who aren't freaks of nature like me. The patchouli girl was  friends with one of my roommates at the conference and I was SO afraid she was going to sit on my bed while she was in my room or something. After she left the room I swear it took like 20 min. just to get the stench out. EWW!

Boo Boo gave me an ear full when I got home. She was so happy that I was home she didn't stop talking... well it was actually more like yelling.... for like a half an hour. I'm so glad to be back with my little Suki bear. I really can't wait until Tony and my two other fluff balls are here. Then life will again be as it should.