Consul General, Fiffi Choo

Freitag 14. Oktober 2005

Well just like every Friday, we had our weekly tour. Meeting at the usual 9am point at Bath and Body Works in the Dom Haupt Bahn Hof we toured some of the side streets of Cologne. I am slowly beginning to understand how to get around from certain locations, but mainly just the shopping areas and bars. The tour kind of dragged today, it seemed like we were stopping every few minutes to point out random tidbits of information so small to even remember. But our program director is so enthusiastic about his city that I can understand why he points out everything.

From there we went to the Amerika Haus which was set up after WWII to spread American culture throughout Germany. The Cologne public affairs section also works with educational and cultural institutions to provide information about American history and social values. Because this was a formal meeting, we all dressed up today.

We spoke with the Consul General George Knowles and the site director Constance Colding Jones who both offered their services in helping us locate scholarships within the Embassy or Consulate General Offices. They also have a program set up that allows American students to go to local high schools as almost an informal student ambassador to answer any questions students have about politics, culture, etc. When I get to a computer later this week I will be emailing the Consul to get more information- I am really excited about the opportunity to get a better understanding of how young Germans view Americans, outside of the typical stereotypes. At the end of the presentation we had a group picture taken inside the Amerika Haus which may be up on their webpage soon- I’ll provide links if I get them.

Later that night we went out on the town without any place in mind. As our group was deciding where to go, a DJ stopped us for a local bar, Voodoo Lounge, with a buy a beer get a free shot special. So of course we made that our first stop. Maybe it was still early, but the place was dead. The bartenders were even eating their dinner at the table! I was kind of taken aback by this, but then again, there wasn’t anyone there. We stayed there for a little while and I got the DJ Penny’s email to get some of the songs she plays. It was a mix of everything from 60’s to 90’s, funk, house etc.

From there we tried our luck at a popular nightclub, Diamonds. After waiting in line for about 15 minutes we were turned away. Zach had a friend from Munster visiting who tried to talk us in, but it didn’t work. Not quite sure why we couldn’t get in, but it must have been because the guy/girl ratio was imbalanced- 5 guys to 1 girl, or some of us just didn’t fit in with the dress code.

Fortunately, across the street there was another popular nightclub, Fifi Choo. This time we were able to get in, although today I found out they don’t typically allow Americans in. The club was nothing compared to back home, although Rochester doesn’t really have much going for it anyway. It was a multi level club with the dance floor on the bottom level. There were several bars on each level, with the strobe lights pulsating and colored lights going back and forth. The DJ’s were surrounded by a wall that also served as a fish tank. There were two chill rooms with leather chairs and couches were you could relax after dancing. Drinks were very expensive, so I kept it to one, although between the entry fee and drink it still cost me close to 10 Euro. It was a great place to hang out, but not something I want to do weekly.