Germany is cold but I've got friends. That's the good news.

Believe it or not, I ventured all the way to Germany in the fall without a coat. Our plane landed in Cologne at 7:00 in the morning. The sun was just peeking its way over the trees and I could see ice on the wings of the plane. I was wearing a running jacket.I made my way through baggage claim like a champ and then walked outside the airport, suddenly hit by the realization of how stupid it was to believe I could manage German weather with a single-layered cotton jacket. Luckily, my fellow alumni and dear friend from the most beloved Berry College welcomed me with a borrowed pimp wool coat.So anyway, the first night we prepared an elaborate meal of salmon pasta and wine with friends Frank and Steffi. Within two minutes of meeting these two I immediately felt at home. They were so warm and friendly. We stayed at the dinner table through three bottles of wine and champagne and three hours of conversation before my first night finally came to a close.I woke up with a hangover, of course. Next day we ventured over to Düsseldorf, the fashion capital of Germany. The streets were absolutely filled with mulleted, beautiful Europeans in their jeans and knee-high boots. Not one of them seemed to be bothered by the downpour of rain and 40 degree temperature. Düsseldorf is a fun little city. Everryone there seems young and hip. Though I was shocked at the number of Starbucks on the street, I couldn't help but slide on in or a little hazelnut late, all for the cheap price of four euros. (!!) Met up with Steffi and Frank again to go out for drinks at a little bar called Frida. Frida has an elaborate Mexican theme with pretty interesting art displays throughout it. The tapas were delicious.My third day in town I tried to be a little adventurous and spend the day solo in Cologne. This was the first time in my life that I felt completely clueless as to what direction I was heading. I tried to ask an older couple for help with directions and they walked away from me with not so much as a smile. After eventually finding my way to the train station, I couldn't understand how to buy a ticket. This time four eager Germans helped me buy a ticket for 19 euros (generally the ticket I would buy sells for 10). Hopped the train and landed in Cologne.If you arrive to the main station in Cologne a walk outside immediately places you in front of their famous Cathedral. It's dark and a gothic on the outside, but one step inside and your view is of glorious stained glass and massive columns. Again, I couldn't understand any of the display explanations, but that initial awe carried me throughout the floor of the Cathedral for nearly an hour. It's been a while since I've been in a church. Felt good to feel home.Outside the cathedral in a center square some 10,000 Turkish immigrants demonstrated. Enthralled, I made myway through the crowds and tried to understand what they were protesting against. Red flags waved in every direction. I thought it was the most well-done, peaceful protest I had ever seen. It quite emotional, really. 10,000 of these people were singing songs from their homeland with only a violin playing over the speakers. A man standing to my right had tears streaming down his face as he waved his flag. I knew some of the demonstration was directed at the U.S. as several messages were written in English. It's a tough experience to see such a gathering of well-intentioned folks who feel the direct effect of our actions on a daily basis and then know hardly anybody in the U.S. would be watching and certainly no change would result. Steffi came to meet at the station and directed me towards the Cologne Art Exhibit. This was the coolest event I have ever visited abroad. The Exhibit was in an old, two story building with marble staircases and a grand entrance hallway. Techo music set the beats. Everyone had a cocktail in hand. And we all walked around checking out the incredible work of young German artists. I saw lots of photography from Argentina, suprisingly enough. The love seems to be spreading. After the art exhibit, I got on the infamous German interstate and, flying over 100 miles an hour in an itsy bitsy little car, arrived back in züling for dinner with the fam. Great conversation, great food. Overall, a pleasant day indeed.Yesterday we made the four hour drive to Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany (I think). I met up with all my best guy friends from Berry at Vapiana, the BEST restaurant ever for fresh pasta, salads, and pizza. I nearly cried during our dinner because I was so excited to be doing what we always did - but on their turf. We went out for drinks along the water and walked through more wet, gross rain and ridiculously low temperatures. Stayed at the house of a member of one of Germany's biggest rock bands, FOTOS. Benedict and Valezca (his absolutely gorgeous girlfriend from Switzerland) treated us with fine German hospitality, gave us yogurt for breakfast and then stuck around to go on a walking tour of the city with us the next morning.So, that's it so far. Germany is cold but I've got friends.