dearworldsignedchloe-blog - Tumblr blog

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

I debated for a bit about snapping this photo. Part of me felt like it was a little too commonplace to take a meaningless photograph of a sanctuary without reverence. The other part was like, well heck, there’s no Mass taking place, so I went ahead and did it. I did it for myself, because I knew in 20 years when I was talking about Europe, the Cologne Cathedral would be one of the most memorable places I visited. I also did it because I will be sending all these pictures to my Catholic Grandfather later this week, and he’ll appreciate it even more. ***** **** *** ** #cathedral #cologne #beautiful #catholic #travel #traveler #traveling #dametraveler #girlsabroad #girlsthattravel #girlaroundworld #girlsborntotravel #americaningermany #americanineurope #europe #germany #americangirl #happygirl #happiness #happyplace #lifestyle #latergram #instagood #instatravel #instacool #photooftheday #travelblogger #travelphotography #travelgirl #travelingram #goodnight (at Cologne, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmHH-nWhh54/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=il19rq9z0870

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

I loathe driving, but I love a good day trip. I need another CD in my car and maybe next time I won’t completely lose my mind. (Just ordered an old Carla Bruni album on eBay for 4 euros actually) Desperately looking for some poppin car jam suggestions. (Okay not desperately but quite earnestly!) ***** **** *** ** * #cologne #germany #europe #americaningermany #americangirl #travel #traveling #travellingthroughtheworld #travelingram #travelgirl #dametraveler #instagood #instatravel #girlsabroad #girlsthattravel #girlaroundworld #köln #colognecathedral #cathedral #americanstyle #travelfashion #summer #sunny #lifestyle (at Köln) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmFucSnBy5Z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mwlglq8ihr3c

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

A secret little Ivy and Gnome garden outside the Cologne Cathedral in Köln, (Cologne) Germany. 🚙🛣🏙📍🗺🌳🍄🌼🐌🐛 Spent about half a dozen hours adventurin’ today. Listened to lots and lots of "ABBA Gold". Ate some Mickey D’s. Lost the car temporarily. Found the car. My iPhone overheated twice. And all so worthwhile. ***** **** *** ** * #cologne #germany #köln #colognecathedral #adventure #dametraveler #girlsabroad #girlsthattravel #girlaroundworld #americangirl #americaningermany #gnome #gargoyle #garden #gardenofthegods #cathedral #travel #traveler #travelblogger #travelgirl #travelgram #travelling #travelersnotebook #travelinggirl #photooftheday #happiness #happygirl #happyplace #goodnight (at Cologne Cathedral) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmEgzHoBLEx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1drpx003limf8

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

Some pizza in bed, (the dog stole some because she is mean) finally hung those lights, a little ABBA and I’m like so Zen right now. (Despite the fact that 20 minutes ago I was convinced someone was lurking in the house trying to get me) ***** **** *** ** * #goodnight #germany #lights #room #bedroomdecor #summer #happiness #happygirl #happyplace #home #lifestyle #instagood #pizza #foodstagram #goodfood #foodcoma #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelblogger #zen #abba #story #sleep (at Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmB_w0NhKh9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14jq7vl3vy2t3

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

Just bought a plane ticket to Milan for next month. May or may not be going to a U.S.A women’s underwater rugby competition...and by that I mean I totally definitely surely am! ***** **** *** ** * #girlsabroad #dametraveler #americaningermany #currentmood #happiness #happygirl #girlaroundworld #girlsborntotravel #travel #traveler #travelblogger #travelersnotebook #girlsthattravel #travelingram #travelinggirl #goodmorning #photooftheday #city #citylife (at Altstadt (Düsseldorf)) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmAwnN7hszs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=343cqb9e4l26

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

One minute you’re in the city, you turn a corner, then suddenly you’re in Krefeld. ***** **** *** ** * #dametraveler #girlsabroad #americaningermany #happiness #girlaroundworld #travelersnotebook #traveler #travelblogger #happygirl #happyplace #goodmorning #thatsdarling #farm #countryside #germany #europe #americangirl #americaningermany #green #sunny #beautiful #morning (at Krefeld, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl-OeNYh_kn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mkriq9xcufyw

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

Yesterday’s fever may have kept me inside all day, but it also gave me a midnight epiphany. So today is all about finding old castles and gardens. Unless my true crime novella takes over my life again. ***** **** *** ** * #americaningermany #photooftheday #goodmorning #exploring #germany #europe #adventure #schloss #castle #sunny #düsseldorf #adventuregirl #dametraveler #girlsabroad #girlaroundworld #girlsborntotravel #dearworld #travel #travelersnotebook #travelblogger #happiness #happygirl #happyplace #instagood #thatsdarling (at Schlossgarten Benrath) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl7V9KtBwTK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=83adxuqf8mp

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

Aldstadt, Düsseldorf. ***** **** *** ** * #summer #sunny #oldworld #oldtown #aldstadt #düsseldorf #germany #adventure #exploring #europe #photooftheday #americaningermany #americangirl #travel #travelersnotebook #travelblogger #dametraveler #girlsabroad #girlaroundworld #girlsborntotravel #studyabroad #instagood (at Altstadt (Düsseldorf))

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

I stumbled upon the trees, the sky, and the sun conversing above me today. Without even asking my questions they whispered all the answers I needed to hear. Which sounds so cheesy, but really, that’s how it went. I was staring for hours, a little troubled about almost everything, and there they were: casually doing nothing and so I did nothing too. And Andante Andante came to mind and I’ve been listening to the Lily James and original ABBA version on repeat all day. I don’t know if it solved anything, but I was temporarily separated from my worries and it was such a great feeling. ***** **** *** ** * #dametraveler #americaningermany #goodnight #germany #outdoors #peace #nature #sky #sunny #trees #inlove #summer #abba #andante #takeiteasy #europe #traveler #travels #relaxing #instagood #instahappy #explore (at Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia)

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

After visiting the Alstadt for the 1000th time and mutually agreeing it was getting a bit too usual— we explored a little further up the street and discovered a few quaint Bavarian shops, melt in your mouth (and already slightly melted) gelato, + adorably picturesque parks. Didn’t even need the sun today! ***** **** *** ** * #düsseldorf #germany #americangirl #americaningermany #goodmorning #photooftheday #exploring #oldtown #downtown #adventurer #dametraveler #girlsborntotravel #girlsabroad #girlaroundworld #scenery #latergram #goodmorning #oldworld #flowers #garden #treasure #happygirl #happiness #travelblogger #traveler (at Düsseldorf, Germany)

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

Someone asked if I was taking a picture of the fancy car on the right. (I guess it’s a fancy car) I said, no, because obviously this picture is all about that inspiring green door. I am absolutely sure I’ll need that someday. ***** **** *** ** * #paris #parisienne #parisjetaime #girlsabroad #travel #travelblogger #girlaroundworld #girlsborntotravel #traveler #travelersnotebook #dametraveler #places #wow #green #greendoor #door #street #lovely #photooftheday #goodmorning #explore #europe #france #inspired #inlove #instagood #latergram (at Paris, France)

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

One of the most touristy and picturesque neighborhoods in Paris, and here I am snapping pictures of fancy floral windows realizing seconds after taking this one, that people were changing with their windows open just underneath. Creepy American tourist moment. C'est ce que c'est. ***** **** *** ** * #girlsabroad #dametraveler #femmetravel #girlaroundworld #girlsborntotravel #girlinparis #latergram #instagood #paris #parisjetaime #parisienne #floral #photoftheday #thatsdarling #happiness #socute #travelblog #travelor (at Montremarte, Paris)

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

I think I’ll just spend every lunch here, with the ducks, and my true crime novellas for the rest of my life, danke. ***** **** *** ** * #germany #northrhinewestphalia #schloss #ducks #femmetravel #dametraveler #dametravelworld #americaningermany #americangirl #photooftheday #wanderlust #wander #explorer #wanderer #adventure #happiness (at Schlossgarten Benrath)

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

Week 3, Deutschunterricht in Düsseldorf.

Every language course I have ever taken in the past 15 years always started with the basic “Hi, my name is...” and everything carried on as usual from there. The minute I walked into my Allemand class (that’s French) I wanted to run out. A prison cell in the heart of Düsseldorf, hotter than Bikram yoga, without airconditioning...without even a fan. The instructor arrives a good 15 minutes late giving me just enough time to panic as I overhear my new classmates ALREADY speaking German. “I’m sorry,” I think to myself, “but aren’t we supposed to learn that here?” Apparently, I was the odd Ausländer out, and my new instructor saw that right away. We were both a bit peeved from the Gekko. Apparently, nein and danke wouldn’t cut it. This turned out to be more of a pronunciation correction class than a word learning class. Luckily I had found myself sat right between two quality students who not only spoke excellent german already (seriously, duolingo couldn’t teach you that in a year) but also perfect English! (neither from English speaking countries) Both enjoyed muttering the answers under their breath, and yes, it helped me look 23% less idiotic, so I took it with much gratitude. 

After four hours of lecture I was spent, overheated, and ready for an iced glass of wine, an episode of Glow, and a three-hour nap. The day had other plans, however. On my way home I had the delight of sitting across a cornfield as I waited an extra 15 minutes to take a train one stop back to my car since the German Bahn doesn’t open on cue and if it sounds a bit complicated, thank you, and if it just sounds like I’m complaining, well...

As I’m writing this it’s around 31 degrees Celsius at 8pm, (much cooler than this afternoon) which for a Portland native, can be a bit overwhelming and make a girl cranky. But all that was appeased by a little Carla Bruni and some Mushroom, Spinach, and Tomato sauce pasta. The nap went out the window, as well as all hope for finding just one bottle of wine in the Country of Beer. (okay they actually do have wine, I have two feet, and a car...but it’s hot so what about wine delivery?)

Cornfield across the Bahn station. 

Mushroom, Spinach, and Tomato sauce pasta.

[dearworldsignedchloe-blog]

Week 1, Düsseldorf

Monday morning bright and early I leave my mother’s apartment for the last time, in while. On the way to the airport there’s a quick detour to my boyfriend’s house to pick up my glasses, which I always seem to lose, and then suddenly I’m at the United PDX check-in, frantically pulling unneeded articles of clothing from my suitcase and handing them to my always patient grandmother. It’s exactly 50 pounds. I’m already crying before I even before I’ve given my last hugs. Blurry eyed, anxious, and I little hungry I quickly make it through security. I see my mother and grandmother on the other side waving to me as we say goodbye for the dozenth time. Normally I’m embarrassed to even shed one tear in public, but today my face is stained with them and I don’t feel the slightest shame. As soon as they’re out of sight I hustle through the terminal and find my boarding gate with 10 minutes to spare. One OJ and an insultingly small bag of pretzels later I’m in San Francisco hustling to the international security line. Still starving. After I’m through I find exactly one option for a lunch, divey bar food. I scarf down the fries like it’s my last meal, and little did I know it would be the last normal tasting thing I hate for the next 24 hours. A three-hour layover turns to four. As soon as I’m on the airplane I quickly regret not eating two cheeseburgers and a milkshake, and upgrading to first class like my god-father advised me. The seats are tight and the food could possibly have been intended for prisoners, but somehow I managed to sleep between Moana en français and the close confinements with complete strangers. Then I’m in Paris for two hours hustling to Lufthsana. (possibly my new favorite airline) I think someone warned me that Charles de Gaulle was a trying, irksome experience, and it was beyond that. I think the sleep deprivation provided me the zero cares attitude needed to zip through that place without a second thought. Somehow I managed to hop from one Terminal to the next on a little train, with minimal directions, and trust me, my French isn’t that good. After finding a US to EU power converter, charging my phone, and letting my Americans back home know I hadn’t been abducted yet, I hopped on the plane, chugged a free wine, landed in Munich, hopped on the connecting flight, watched half of Kill Bill, and there I was in Düsseldorf. I thought I was so brilliant for beating the jetlag and adopting a normal sleep schedule, but two weeks later I’m still waking up at 6am and taking two-hour naps before dinner. 

Düsseldorf Largest Fair on the Rhine

A Düsseldorf Supermarket

My new neighborhood in North Rhine-Westphalia.