Day 3: Aachen

Day 3 of the Germany Christmas Market tour dawned a beautiful, sunny but cold day. After a brief train ride to Aachen, our merry foursome braved the crowds at the Aachen Christmas Market (my word …it was teeming with people…everyone apparently had the same idea on this Saturday) as well as toured the Aachen Cathedral, home to Charlemagne’s kingdom and palace. Today, only the cathedral and throne remain.

First stop…the Aachen Christmas Market and its thronging masses.

















From one Lion’s Club member to another….

Aachen Cathedral, Charlemagne’s throne, and relics.



























Miscellaneous scenes from Aachen, including the Tower from the city wall.



Printen, otherwise known as gingerbread.





Aachen Rathaus - the Christmas market was right next to it.



Charlemagne - Aachen Rathaus – this is the original sculpture from the mid 1300’s.









Instead of a two gun slinging Texan, it’s a two hip slinging umbrella German.

A tired but relaxed group head back to Dusseldorf via train.

Day 2: Koln

Day Two arrived (along with Day 2 of rain) with a train trip to Koln to view the magnificient Koln Dom (cathedral) and its various Christmas markets. Yes, purchases were made, food was eaten, and the souvenir mugs procured. Scenes from the day...

Koln Dom.





























Mom-Dad/Bob-Dee at Koln Dom.





Budman and Hachie Gal at the Koln Dom.



Shopping at the Koln Christmas Market.





























In and about Koln.







A stop at the Koln Starbucks.

Day 1: Texans arrive

The good news is that the Texans (Budman's Mom and Dad; also known as Bob and Dee to Hachie Gal) arrived in Germany safe and sound, and with an event free flight. Day one saw an easing into all things German and Christmas-ey, including dinner in Dusseldorf's Altstadt and a brief tour of Dusseldorf's Weihnachtmarkt.





Guten Tag, Youngs!

You think Christmas starts early in the states

At least we have the ritual of Thanksgiving in the US to provide a break between Halloween and Christmas. In Germany, the Christmas trees have been up in the stores and airports for 3 weeks. Enjoy Thanksgiving this week, guys!

She wins at last!

My marathon hero, Paula Radcliffe, finally pulled it out...the NYC marathon, that is. Today, I have been glued to the tube while in London watching it all unfold. Man...pretty darn exciting...makes me want to hit the pavement myself sometime soon for another 26.2 mile go (albeit with quite different results).

Well done, Paula!