Why the American Economy Sucks

Köln Dom

I had gotten pretty comfortable with the schedule I had built around myself. As a beautiful author once wrote, "Given enough time, one can get used to anything." I've seen this materialize around myself quite vividly lately. My first excursion out was in my second weekend. Sara (my 24 year old 'sister' who teaches 4th grade at her mother's school) had to go out to Köln with her oldest brother to pick out a tux for his wedding which is taking place in April. Since Köln is a huge town and one of the countries cultural centers, I decided to go along for the day. Sara and I went on the train (the first time I had been on a two story train..WOW!!! No, not really) and we found ourselves in the Köln main train station right outside of the Köln Cathedral, which also is only a few steps away from the longest shopping street in all of Deutschland. 

I have never really been into shopping but I was soon to discover that that was clear BS. I've never enjoyed shopping more than that day, nor bought so many things THAT I LIKED in such a short amount of time! I can never find anything in Montana that suits my strange hippie clothing ways, so I never shop. I didn't even go back to school shopping this year because I knew it wouldn't be worth it. Shopping in California even sucks for me most days. But here in Köln, I strolled to shop after shop and eventually I was in heaven. 

I strolled around the Köln Cathedral, having my breath slowly pulled away from me by the intricate beauty of the church. I stood under the stained glass windows admiring the colors, the pictures, the effort, the passion. Stood awestruck in front of the biggest organ I had ever seen. Thought with my dead back, eyes trying to find the high high ceiling, of how how the architects built churches ceilings and doors so huge in order to make the intruder realize that the power of God is bigger than they'll ever be. 

I only cried a little when I left the exquisite building to find a homeless fellow and his dog huddled together with a little sing reading 'Danke Gott'. 

At the end of the day I was walking around in new boots (carrying them was out of the question), with about 12 different bags trying with all their effort to pull my arm out of it's socket.

I met Sara at a Starbucks (I was then only beginning to realize how obsessed Germans are with Starbucks and McDonalds), and we ate a lovely dinner at Christopher's flat with his fiance Bekki. 

Some people say it's cause of all the Christian couples around me, but I've met SO many married and YOUNG couples! I think I've met about 4 under 30 that are married, and as they keep appearing I am getting semi-confused at all this young hitching. But who knows, perhaps it IS the Christian aspect of them all...

That night was also my very sad attempt to go clubbing. My excitement grew and grew as I sat in a nice house throwing down a few, while these boys around me sipped their mixed drinks, fixed their gelled hair, watching Germany's Superstar Search and staring at a full bottle of vodka. I was a bit confused as I slowly came to the affirmation that Livingston knows how to party better than the Germans. 

We skedaddled off to the club and I walked in with a boys arm draped around me, hoping they wouldn't card me, a little 17 year old with still one more year to go, if I was 'with' an older looking feller.

Fail.

My happy things instead of clubbing. ha ha ha...

They carded both of us and I waited with my new friends for Sara to drive around the block to pick me up.
The sad affair was concluded with me sitting in my lonely room with a lonely glass of wine and The Fountainhead. I sipped, read and danced on occasion by myself. If you know me, you'll know I was still in Heaven:)