leaving cologne

can't fall asleep.. in truth not because i'm thinking abt going home in 3 days' time, but because it is so hot and i'm perhaps still a little excited thanks to table tennis just now.. but since i can't sleep i might as well write a little huh..

yeah so packing is almost done. things left include photo frames, the odd gloves and socks, alot of foodstuff, and some random items like battery charger, extension wires, hot water flask. moving is really tiring, i must say.. it's my first time, and i've only been here for 9 mths. so many things, so many memories. packing makes u think abt all u've been thru living in this place. picked up my postcards and recalled bits of my travels. picked up the bundle of postcards and letters and felt so thankful for all the love sent fr miles away during christmas, birthdays and random times - just to say hi and take care. picked up my farewell gifts, played the CDs and read the notes, and felt like i've never left.

shall try to put into words what i love about cologne. my first and favourite german city. :) the most impt factor is actually nothing tangible, it's just a feeling. a feeling of being home and being comfortable and familiar with everything. a feeling of light-heartedness as one walks around, wanting to smile even if there's no special reason to. yep.. so let's see. i love the Dom. it's the first thing u see when u fly into cologne, and when u walk out of the train station. the hordes of tourists don't make it any less special to me. walking around inside makes me feel a sense of history. the different layers, stained glass windows from different periods, the blackened exterior.. all all reminds me of how old this city is. services are still held in it, its original purpose hasn't been lost. some things don't change with time.

i also love the people. maybe i'm lucky, but i seem to tend to meet nice people. the ladies in the bakery, in the supermarket, people (esp old people) on the streets seem to be always smiling so genuinely. everyone seems to be happy to be here. :) people talk to other people on the U-bahn, u don't have to know names to share an opinion or enjoy a beautiful moment btwn say, father and son. i love my host family too. :) :) this living arrangement suits me perfectly, alot of privacy yet some support and almost-daily chats. the flowers at the door once in a while also cheer me up a whole lot. they usually appear after i go on a trip, to welcome me back perhaps :)

i love being 10 steps away from the bakery, i love being 2mins from the U-bahn station, i love being able to cycle to town, i love the superb train system that's delayed once in a while :P i love being close to aachen! being only an hr away from a whole bunch of seniors really made me feel safe, somehow. and dinners and all festive gatherings helps me get in touch with my singaporean roots all over again. :) i love the fact that u can get all sorts of entertainment (only 20mins away!) yet also all the nature and peace u want without travelling too far. the rhein's beautiful, the forests and little lakes and parks allow people to relax and kids to enjoy a balanced childhood. ahh. too many things abt cologne to list them all out. :)

but since i'm not a person who looks back too much, i would say, i'm glad i had a chance to live here and to get to know all the people, their inspiring stories, and to learn from them. and now to move on.. to university :) new challenge, i will try to enjoy it as much as i've had this one.