So far, while in Germany, I've been living in Jülich but have been enjoying weekends and some weeknights in the nearby city of Cologne (Köln).

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Cologne is a large, historic city known for its lively atmosphere and famous landmarks, such as the Cologne Cathedral. People there are friendly and social, and I noticed that conversations often happened in public spaces, like on public transport or in cafés. The local dialect spoken by some people is called Kölsch, although most people use standard German with only slight accents unnoticeable by me. Jülich, on the other hand, is a smaller, quieter town. Life there is more relaxed, and the town has a strong sense of local community. Everyone seems to know each other at the bakery and grocery store.

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One of the most noticeable parts of the culture in both places was the food. In Cologne, I've had traditional dishes like Himmel un Ääd, which combines mashed potatoes, apple sauce, and sausage. Another local food was Halver Hahn, a rye bread roll served with cheese and mustard. Kölsch beer is very popular and is served in small glasses. Servers usually bring a new glass automatically unless you signal that you’re finished by covering the old glass with a coaster. In Jülich, the cuisine is quite limited with very few restaraunts. I've tried a few new items from the grocery store, but am mostly keeping my home cooking simple. Bakeries are common and offered fresh bread and pastries daily.

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I was in Cologne during the Karneval season, which is one of the biggest cultural events of the year. People wore costumes, joined street parades, and sang traditional songs. It was a very festive and crowded time, with celebrations happening all over the city. Jülich also had a small local festival with music, food stands, and games. These events showed how important traditions and community gatherings are in the region.

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