Bonn, Germany

A couple of weeks ago, I got to go to Bonn, Germany -- first time I've been in Germany despite having gone through Frankfurt Airport many times. I loved it. Or at least the parts I saw.

First of all, I stayed in the city center. I love being able to walk to places -- no need to find a parking space (or pay for one), just walk to where ever I want. There were bars, restaurants, banks, shops, and McDonald's everywhere. (I counted at least 4 different McDonald's restaurants in the city center area across from the train station -- 1 up the main street from the train station, 1 up the main street from the university, 2 more a bit further into the city center.) Also, staying where I did meant listening to all the sounds of city life -- from the folks going home after a late night at the bars (complete with hiccups and singing!) to the early morning street sweepers and trash pick up.

This is the sign for the bar that was on the ground floor immediately next door to my hotel. Speaking of hotels, I do believe my room in Bonn was actually smaller than ones I've stayed in in Japan. I didn't think it was possible.