Yesterday I took the slow train up the Rhein river valley to Cologne (aka Köln). It was beautiful! The river is spotted with old castles and every little village has a lovely cathedral. The landscape is actually a lot like my home in California. It is also a wine and apple growning region, with the same size hills as we have framing Santa Rosa. Of course we don't have such historical architecture in CA, I wish! I arrived early at the station in cologne, and had a half an hour to stare at the incredible gothic cathedral that overshadows the city. It is the largest most ornate building I have ever seen! I wish my digital camera was working so I could show you some pictures. The one you see above is only a stock photo of some other small town that looks similar to what you see in this region. Slava met me at the station, and I got a chance to take to take ballet with him before we went to his house in Aachen (halfway between Cologne and Brussels). His boyfriend made dinner and we stayed up all night talking. It's great to see him after so long!