Cologne Local Custom Tips by diocletianvs Top 5 Page for this destination

VT meeting in Früh brewery

Sabsi organized a VT meeting on the first evening I was in Cologne. We met Gil earlier that afternoon for the coffee and later went to the Früh brewery where we were joined by Stef (Tinytuck), Sandra (hundertmorgen), Holger (HORSCHECK), Edgar (50939) and Winfried (RhineRoll).

We had a dinner, numerous Kölschs (I stopped counting after the fifteenth round) and lots of laughs.

Sandra came with her friend who was kind enough to take this picture of all of us.

The local people proved that Cologne is The place for going out and having relaxed time. Thank you guys!

(Oh, Sabsi has an excellent Travelogue on her Cologne page about my visit and the VT meeting so please check the link below).

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/5b6d3/#TL

Kölsch

Kölsch means lots of things, but two main meanings are local beer and local language.

I am not a beer expert but I guess you have to be local to appreciate this light, highly-fermented beer that comes in small glasses (Stange) and can be brewed only in local breweries according to the putity laws dating from 1516.

(To me, it tasted more like those syrup juices where you put a small amount of very sweet fruit juice and mix it with large amount of water - not like beer at all.)

But, as the local Kölsch saying says - Jeder Jeck is anders (Every fool is different), my appologies to all local Kölsch lovers: every person is different, and tastes differ as well.

When in Cologne, you definitely have to try Kölsch and decide for yourself.

Website: http://www.koelner-brauerei-verband.de

Local guides

I was very happy when I went to Cologne because I had a great guide - Sabsi. She is not even local here, but as soon as she heard I'm coming to Cologne she started planning and even learning things because she knew I wouldn't be happy with the usual "This is an interesting house from I don't know when and built by I don't know who - but there is a nice bar on the ground floor".

Sabsi waited for me at the airport, reserved our seats in restaurants, gave me maps and drove me around for two days. Which wasn't easy at all since I had some things on my list of Must see places that she never heard of. But at least I hope it was an interesting visit to Cologne for her too.

Thank you Sabs!

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/14849/

Gepäck Schliessfach Automat

I am known as person that gives names to devices and is often caught talking to computers, toasters or coffee machines. People usually find this weird.

But not people that ever left their luggage at Cologne train station.

Of course, there are no counters and no people. If you follow the sign saying 'Gepäck / Luggage' you'll find only cold and efficient luggage machine. You insert a coin (3 Eur for 24 hours) and the door will open for your bag. Then the door will close, you'll hear your bag going somewhere deep under and you'll get a small ticket with a magnetic stripe that says:

'You have just left your bag to the mercy of the stupid machine. Now, if you want your bag back please turn back. What you'll see right outside the train station is the huge Cologne Cathedral. Now choose the Saint you trust and pray 3 HolyMary's for the well being of your dear bag'.

I took the instructions seriously, prayed to Santa Ursula and even lit a candle inside the Cathedral.

In the evening The Machine was satisfied and retuned me the same bag I left earlier, saying: Vielen Dank, you are a good Christian!

There were some bad Christians next to me that were now talking to the Machine ;)