On Koln (Koeln) (Cologne)
I had always wanted to go to Koln (it should have two dots over the o, or else have an oe, or I could have given it the French spelling of Cologne) , ever since being introduced to the music of Keith Jarrett through his Koln Concert. This desire was fortified when Fran and I flew in and out of the Koln airport when we were on our way to Amsterdam to pick up Jon and Stephanie for Thanksgiving the November before Fran died. I had timed my trip so that I would be in Koln on the second anniversary of Fran's death.
I left Mannhiem in one of the wonderful Inter City Express (ICE) trains, which hugged the shores of the Rhine as it flew north at 200+ kilometers per hour. The many castles that line the Rhine were barely able to peak through the fog, but they were certainly impressive.
After checking into my hotel, I went straight to the Cathedral, as had heard that it was beautiful. It was the kind of thing that Fran would have done, and I wanted a holy spot of some sort to meditate about her for a little while.
Indeed, it was beautiful, both inside and out. I sat in one of the pews for a while, just thinking. Before I knew it, a prayer service started. I kept my seat, and continued to meditate. The prayer service ended, and I continued what I had to do. I thought about Fran, and our wonderful times together, and how much she would have enjoyed seeing this wondrous building. I thought about Fabrizzio's step father, who was so friendly to us, and who died this year. I thought about Petra's father, who welcomed me so warmly, even though he did not know English. I thought about Gabriella's father, who I had only met twice, and whose death, when I heard of it just before leaving for Germany, paralyzed me in my grief.
The priest approached me and asked if I needed his help. I told him 'no, that I was just meditating'. When I got up to leave the Church, I realized I had been sitting there for three hours.
I stopped on the way out to light candles for Fran, for Karl, and for Filippo. I do not know the significance of lighting candles, but it seems to be important to remember the dead in this way, and Fran always liked candles burning in the house.
When I left the Cathedral, I wandered through the neighboring Christmas Market, and ended up buying two key chains for my niece and nephew. It was the first time I had seen the name Jonas on a key chain, so I figured 'Why not?'. They tell me they liked the gift. Early the next morning, I was off to the airport and Palermo.
I left Mannhiem in one of the wonderful Inter City Express (ICE) trains, which hugged the shores of the Rhine as it flew north at 200+ kilometers per hour. The many castles that line the Rhine were barely able to peak through the fog, but they were certainly impressive.
After checking into my hotel, I went straight to the Cathedral, as had heard that it was beautiful. It was the kind of thing that Fran would have done, and I wanted a holy spot of some sort to meditate about her for a little while.
Indeed, it was beautiful, both inside and out. I sat in one of the pews for a while, just thinking. Before I knew it, a prayer service started. I kept my seat, and continued to meditate. The prayer service ended, and I continued what I had to do. I thought about Fran, and our wonderful times together, and how much she would have enjoyed seeing this wondrous building. I thought about Fabrizzio's step father, who was so friendly to us, and who died this year. I thought about Petra's father, who welcomed me so warmly, even though he did not know English. I thought about Gabriella's father, who I had only met twice, and whose death, when I heard of it just before leaving for Germany, paralyzed me in my grief.The priest approached me and asked if I needed his help. I told him 'no, that I was just meditating'. When I got up to leave the Church, I realized I had been sitting there for three hours.
I stopped on the way out to light candles for Fran, for Karl, and for Filippo. I do not know the significance of lighting candles, but it seems to be important to remember the dead in this way, and Fran always liked candles burning in the house.
When I left the Cathedral, I wandered through the neighboring Christmas Market, and ended up buying two key chains for my niece and nephew. It was the first time I had seen the name Jonas on a key chain, so I figured 'Why not?'. They tell me they liked the gift. Early the next morning, I was off to the airport and Palermo.
posted by Steve at 6:26 PM
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