Bob flies to Cologne, Germany to attend classes in ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) for his new career in auditing – October 7 – 14, 2018
GETTING THERE
Planes and trains, but no automobiles.
GETTING AROUND
Bob booked a room at the hotel where he would be taking classes and walked to and fro for dinner. He was impressed by how all major sidewalks were split into a pedestrian walkway and a bike lane. On his first day in town, he walked through a park with a view of the Cologne telecommunications tower.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE
Three days of classes with the end product of a fully-certified ISCC auditor. Bob is THE man!
REPAST
Ever a creature of habit, Bob found the perfect place to eat and stuck with it.
The Hans Im Gluck menu was impressively endowed with all kinds of veggie and vegan burgers.
Two of three burgers that were plated especially for Bob were the Angerling wheat patty and Abendrot olive patty.
FRIEDHOF COMMUTE
According to google, friedhof is the German word for cemetery. Bob soon began cutting through the friedhof to miss some traffic and was impressed by the landscaping. Many graves featured a purple plant which eludes identification. If you know what this is, please let us know.
One grave had a snake and cross theme. Another a sport ball theme.
Most graves announced the family. This family name goes in the “things that make you scratch your head” column.
COMMON SENSE
Convenience shopping personified, the Willy Wirtz greenhouse and neighboring headstone vendor are located at the edge of the cemetery. Germany is so not a car culture. Its infrastructure is designed for people with common sense.
THE RHINE
The Severin and Hohenzollern Bridges across the Rhine River.
THE CANAL
Another beautiful scene along Bob’s daily commute, and a couple of ducks with attitude.
MORE COMMON SENSE
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Balcony patio gardens, and an elevator to the metro.
ALONG THE WAY
Neat rows of shops and houses, and an intriguing example of door art.
THE GREAT CATHEDRAL
Make no mistake about it, this structure is awe inspiring. The Cologne Cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Europe, built to house the bones of the three wise men. Although its construction began in 1248, the project was not completed until a mere 138 years ago. We are looking at the main entrance with its gallery of saints.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Because the cathedral was built before electricity, it was designed to funnel natural light. The ceiling rises 142 feet above the nave, or main section of the church, lit by 90,000 square feet of stained glass. Bob was surprised to find the twelve signs of the zodiac in one of the stained glass panels.
MONUMENTAL ARCHITECTURE
Truly sobering in scope. In case you are not fully geeked out, here is a little video about this architectural masterpiece.