Invitation To Germany, Vignettes-2

Chapter 6 Trier and The Mosel River

Trier … Germany’s capital of Roman Antiquity is a magnificent surprise. Located astride the Mosel River about six miles from the Luxembourg border, Trier is little known to most travelers who vacation in Europe, but it should be one of Germany’s most visited cities.

From Trier, the Mosel River flows northeast towards Koblenz. Well now that’s not exactly correct, let’s try again: From Trier, the Mosel River flows north, south, east and west, and finally joins the Rhein at Koblenz. … it’s hard to imagine a more twisty large river, and it’s even more difficult to imagine one that is bordered with more beauty.

Chapter 7 The Eifel and Aachen

Aachen … October 20, 1944, as the American First Army moved from street to street, 85% of the city was reduced to rubble and Aachen … the first German city to fall … in WW II.

… near the border, acres of concrete “dragons’ teeth,” that were intended to stop the movement of tanks and other motorized vehicles during the war, are still in place.

Chapter 8 Köln (Cologne) and The Rhein

Köln … a city in the year 50 AD, but pictures taken just after WW II show Köln then consisted of miles of piles of rubble, with the exception of the magnificent Köln Cathedral.

Rhein River … On the walkway beside the river, a lady was pulling a child’s four-wheeled wagon especially fitted for a dog that had lost the use of its legs. She said the dog looked forward to the ride each day.

Chapter 9 Bonn

Bonn … There were dozens of billboards and thousands of signs and bumper stickers with the word “BONN” printed with a lipstick kiss in place of the “O,” leaving no doubt of their obsession with their hometown.

Buschhoven … water is still delivered in their small suburban town, through a 2,000 year old Roman Aqueduct.