Oh, Happy Hour Indeed

If the museums, the culture, and the thought of the Rhein and its being one of the many hubs of Germany don't draw you to Cologne - there might be one other thing which does: The COCKTAILS. I kid you not, I was seriously impressed when I was down by Zülpicher Strasse (the Uni-quarter) on Friday night. Happy Hour was going on at nearly every single cocktail bar I walked past, and with the happy hour in full swing, cocktails cost the same as a single-shot mixer. My flat mate and I went into one of the many Cuban bars (apparently Che Guevara's Cuba has garnered quite a large fan base in Cologne) and I paid €4.50 for a massive thing of sex on the beach, complete with a large melon slice. Also on the menu was some amazing-looking blended drink that was served in a glass pre-lined with streaks of chocolate sauce, and topped off with a couple of maraschino cherries. A pity I didn't ask what it was. Compared to the prices I'm used to paying for cocktails in Singapore I considered it a really good deal. I think happy hour's on nearly every night during the week, which is pretty cool, otherwise a cocktail would cost €7 and that would just make all of us students/struggling interns broke and unhappy. The whole of Zülpicher Strasse is apparently where all the bars and night life is, and is also where all Karnival in November takes place. Now that I've discovered it, I have a feeling I'll be heading there a couple more times before I leave Germany (which, as I've just realised, is 2 weeks' time from tomorrow. Shock and amazement - where does all the time go?)

****************************************************

Speaking of time and alcohol, it's dawning upon me that I am slowly and inexorably growing older. The thought is not a fun one, and those of you who've been around me this past summer know that I've been balking at the idea of graduating, and bitching at the thought of having to work to support myself in the future. Nevertheless, I am turning 21 next Wednesday, and attaining my legal (albeit not financial) independence. Unfortunately, my birthday comes too late for my being able to vote in the coming Singaporean elections (darn it! - but then, my constituency's always a walk-over anyway) But I think I should celebrate anyway. For the past couple of weeks I'd been wracking my brains for the perfect way to celebrate, both in Germany and in Bristol, and I thought it'd be fun if I put the following game plan into action:

The rules - If anyone, for any reason, crosses the following borders SPECIFICALLY for my birthday (that is to say, the celebration of my birthday has to be the sine qua non of you're turning up in Cologne or Bristol for my birthday celebration), I will buy that said person the number of shots specified below:

1. State/County Border - 1 Shot

2. Country Border - 2 Shots

3. Continental Border - 3 Shots

If a person has attended 2 of the three birthday celebrations (including that which was organised and held in Singapore), that person shall be additionally entitled to one extra shot.

Cool, no?

Unfortunately, I'm not too sure that I want to go through with it. Wednesday night, is, after all, a weekday night, with work the next day. Should I, or should I not? Therein lies the question. Nevertheless, my best- & lifelong- friend is coming up to Germany to celebrate my birthday with me, so I am very much looking forward to that. And I definitely do not intend to let my 21st birthday go by without some celebratory drinking.