Perhaps the oddest thing was the large presence of Japanese people and businesses, especially near the main train station (Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof) and on/around Immermannstraße. (By the way, have you noticed that I am showing off my keyboard skills by using funky letters like ü and ß? Wait, there's more.)
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I don't usually take plane photos, but I wanted to capture my first impressions of autumn in Deutschland. The leaves were turning and the sun was shining. Lovely!
I had a great view of the city from my hotel as well. I stayed, as you do in Germany, at the typically Japanese business-style Hotel Asahi. Upon entering, I was greeted not with signs saying Willkommen but ようこそ. Strangely, it felt immediately familiar and comfortable.
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My "penthouse" room was on the secret 12th floor. I say secret because the elevator only went to 11 (insert Spinal Tap joke here). From there, I had to use my room key to open a door to a staircase that led to the top. Très chic and exclusive.
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I rushed out to the balcony to take some pictures, only to discover that it was a shared balcony... In other words, I could see into my neighbors' rooms and likewise, they could see into mine! I promptly ran back inside and shut all the blinds.
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I had about three hours to look around the city before dinner. I got a city map from the front desk and walked up Klosterstraße. It reminded me a bit of Lille; pretty, quaint European churches, shops and details mixed with rather nondescript sprawling streets and buildings. But I chose to focus on the pretty bits, and my walk took me straight to the heart of the Altstadt (Old Town).
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I did some quick chocolate shopping at Cafe Heinemann and headed to the banks of the Rhein River in time to catch the last sun of the day.
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But it wasn't all fun and games. I was there for work, which meant I was there for some serious talks and even more serious eating and drinking! (OK, I admit it was hard to think of the trip as "work." I love this job!) On Sunday and Monday, I attended the ANUGA Food Fair held at the huge Koelnmesse venue.
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After having Japanese food for dinner on Saturday at the trendy Sushi & Soul restaurant in Düsseldorf, it was a nice change to try a traditional German meal in Köln. I wasn't entirely prepared for 1 meter long sausages and mayonnaise-y potato salad!
![IMG_3230.JPG](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2167/1589261569_94b1e335e7.jpg)
I had a nice, short trip. I have to admit, though: it was great to come home to smoke-free Britain!
1 comment:
Loved seeing Germany through your beautiful, sparkling eyes. And your key tapping is impressive as well.
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