Aachen and Dusseldorf

Last weekend we drove about 5 hours to Aachen and Dusseldorf. Aachen is where Christy's dad's side of the family is originally from before they came to the U.S. in the 1700's (how's that for family history?).

Aachen is known as the city of emperors because Charlemagne ruled from there for a long time. It is famous for its Cathedral (Dom) and Town Hall (Rathaus).


View of the Cathedral from our hotel room

cute street with shops in the Old town part of Aachen
the olive oil store... after several tastings we walked away with three--orange, rosemary, and black truffle. We also threw in a star shaped bottle of Cassis (great mixed with champagne) for good measure
the RathausCoronation Hall, in the Rathaus (David is being creative with his photography skills)
enjoying a bowl of coffee Sunday morning

and Milchkaffee

place where we at lunch with ruins of old columns still standing
Charlemagne's thrown. Well, actually they are not quite sure if Charlemagne ever sat in it himself, but about 30 other kings did
view of the Cathedral from the Rathaus window

David is almost taller than the door.

After Aachen we drove to Dusseldorf where we met up with family of Christy's who were in town for Drupa, a big printing and media tradefair that takes place in Dusseldorf every four years.

got some freebies from the Xerox booth

Christy and Patrick

map of the entire trade show--this thing was huge!

inside one of the halls

enjoying a beer at the hotel

and in Altstadt (Old Town, Dusseldorf)

Dusseldorf along the Rhine River