Number 7: Dortmund

The weekend before this past weekend was both Hagen and Dortmund. Ok, ok I'm a little behind in the writing. Dortmund is a large German city with much to see. Unfortunately it was way to crowded and wet to really enjoy the Xmas market.

Upon exiting the train station you see a giant, like two stories tall Santa. Next to him is a Rhino statue dressed up like Santa. These Rhinos were all over the city with various costumes.













First the usual:
A bell started to clang and a light show started on the side of a shopping center. All conversation ceases as everyone watches the light up Santa in his sleigh scross across the building. It ends in an advert.
Then the rain starts to come and we scurry like rats under the nearest store awning. Oh the Xmas spirit!






Apparently this is the part of the light show where they release fake smoke, similar to what one would experience in a nightclub at 2 AM, rather than on an ultra crowded, Xmas market walkway.
So now we're damp rats sqaushed together and barely able to see each other due to the fake smoke.
Time to get the heck out of dodge.



A photo from inside the train station, and while waiting for the 5 min late train back in the direction Cologne.



















After dark around 2 AM coming into Cologne.













Inside the Cologne main train station they are doing an exhibit showing Cologne at the end of the war. Since the train station was dead empty at this time, some photos.