....and the adventure continues! After a chilly morning on the sundeck, we docked in Koblenz and walked through the city on a guided tour. I'm still debating which version I like better. If you explore on your own, it's easier to blend in and not be one of "those" tourists. But, if you're on a tour you get lots of good stories and history that you wouldn't get on your own.
The original Jesuit school in Koblenz. It was scandalous at the time because the priests taught in German instead of the preferred Latin. Now home to city buildings. The neat part of the building....there are exactly 24 windows at the top, making it a terrific advent calendar. (the tour guides have the jokes)
Zoom in on this one if you can. This statue was built in 1942, right as Hitler was gaining power. If you look closely, the boy at the top is spitting water. He does this every two minutes. It was a protest that surprisingly was allowed to remain.
Two notes on this one:
1. The middle window is the three wise men. It's been a theme for this trip - keep seeing them.
2. The numbers and letters on the window represent the year the building was built. It's interesting to realize some of these buildings have been standing since the 1700's and beyond. Just doesn't happen in Charlotte.
Memorial for the Berlin Wall
Statue for Wilhelm the First. To give you an idea of the size, look at the melon color blob in the third opening on the right. That's a person.
Was surprised to see an American flag on display with all the German state flags. The guide mentioned it was put up after 9/11 "in solidarity with the American people". I thought it was a nice thing to do.
TJ Maxx - the German version. No idea how TJ is different from TK, but it makes me laugh.......
Hanging with Joyce and Allen, some friends from the cruise. When you have an afternoon free, what else is there to do besides eat pastry and thrift shop?
Meet Lily (pictured with Jenn, the cruise director in training). Lily is a shop dog at one of the many souvenir / drink shops along the cruise ship docking area, and looooooooves to greet her adoring public. Such a cute little snuggle bear!
You are really good at this blog thing! I have learned a lot! Looks like an amazing trip complete with new friends, pastry, and dogs. I'm curious as to which mode of travel you decide you like the best.
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