People Continue to Amaze Me...But Not Always in a Good Way!

- June 01, 2025

Yesterday's weather did not hold for our outing into Koblenz. It had been such a beautiful day and then it was not. As we were leaving the boat it started to rain. It got heavier. And then it poured. By the time we met our guide up on the dock area there was thunder and lightning. We are congregated under some large trees. A person in our group asked our guide why the tram above us was not running. He said; "well it is unsafe when there is a thunderstorm". I guess no one told this guy that it is also a really bad idea to stand under a tree when there is lightning. Jesus!!!

Off we went in the pouring rain. Sue and I have good rain jackets so we have not bothered to take the umbrellas that Viking provides. They are very large umbrellas. It is astonishing how unaware people are of their surroundings. I could go on and on about the near misses with other people's umbrellas but I will not as it would take up too much space. We just walked on the perimeter of our group.

After sitting in a church for about 15 minutes listening to our guide give us the history of Germany (which we have heard so many times now that I think we could give this speech), the rain lightened up and we continued our tour. When Koblenz was rebuilt after the war they never bothered to rebuild the old buildings. They modernized it. So there is a way too much concrete buildings without any character. Why this is a Viking Cruise stop we are unsure of. It does not seem to have a whole lot to offer. 60's and 70's architecture is not exactly awe inspiring. (At least from my perspective)!

This morning when we got up we were in Cologne. The sun was shining and it was setting up to be a beautiful day. Our excursion was leaving at 9:15. At 9:00 the clouds rolled in. As we exited the boat a repeat of yesterday was in store for us. Just minus the trees. Thunder and lightning and heavy rain for about 5 minutes. Out came the umbrellas. It was a different group but just as many idiots using umbrellas as weapons. I leaned over to Sue and told her that the next time it rains I will get an umbrella, not to repel water but to use as a weapon. As per usual, Sue thought that was another of my less than good ideas. Imagine!!!

We had not been out 15 minutes when one person in our group asked if there was a washroom available anywhere. We were going to be out for about 2 hours and she needed to 'pee' already. Our guide, while rolling his eyes, diplomatically told her that there would be one available soon. You would think these people were 5 years old! Remember, most people on our boat are Americans...need I say more!

Part way along a couple (Americans I might add) asked what time the mass was to be held at the cathedral. Our guide told them 10:00 and that they could rejoin our tour when it was over. When they returned our guide asked if they had enjoyed the mass. The answer was a 'head scratcher'. The guy says "The mass was not in English". Our guide politely says "Well what did you expect, this is Germany, would you have liked it in Latin"? Come to think of it, it was a rather sarcastic response. I am sure if I would have been giving the answer, there would have been a few more descriptive words added in!

I could go on and on about people on our boat. A lawyer, as he likes to tell everyone he meets, who 'pontificates' wherever he is so that everyone on the boat can hear. A lady who pushes people out of the road so she can take pictures. The kidney surgeon who is one of the biggest 'idiots' that we have ever encountered. He is so bad that no one wants him at there table for meals or in the lounge. The list could go on but I will refrain from describing anymore. People do amaze me!

However, and this is a big however, we have met some really great people (All Americans). We are spending more time with these individuals than we ever thought we would have. There is a group of 8 to 10 of us. It has been a lot of fun. In a future posting I will talk about some of them. They are a diverse group to say the least.