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Glimpses from a week in Cologne- another airport post.

I am sitting at the airport in Dusseldorf eating a very expensive (I think) Cesar Salad with Chicken and writing my blog while surrounded by the murmur of mostly German voices and some funky music playing. It’s a nice place to hang out while I wait for my flight back to Norway and normality. Although again I wonder what “normality” really means, what it even looks like for me in my life. 
 
It’s been a lovely 4 days in Cologne. A few weeks ago I was again invited to come down and teach on the DTS about justice, and it all worked out with work schedules and time available. It’s been such a blessing to pour out of my knowledge and experience into lives of those who are just starting their journeys in missions and ministry. A joy to get to remember again so many of the stories and lives that have become part of my life over the years. And such a privilege to be able to continue to minister even though I have stepped out of full-time ministry. 
 
It was also a fun time. A good friend came over from Amsterdam for these days and we had some good times catching up over coffee, hot chocolate and pastries at the two little cafe’s in the neighbourhood, as well as a shopping trip to Aldis.
 
Yesterday we took the hour long bus trip into the centre of Cologne. After walking through the Cathedral we headed to the Fragrance Museum where the original Eau de Cologne was invented by Farina, an Italian who came to Cologne for the very purpose of entering the fragrance market. It was fascinating to hear the story of how he’d set up his business and also getting to smell some original fragrances (one which was amazingly enough developed from the oils in whale vomit). After a very informative tour we walked across town (through Christmas markets being prepared for the opening weekend) to a lovely little curry place called “Buy buy Curry”. Not sure what’s up with the “buy buy” thing... but maybe it means to buy lots of their curry. I had my favourite curry, chicken Bhuna and a scrumptious Nan, together with a mango lassi. Delicious!
 
Walking back to the bus to head back we were walking quickly coz it was quite chilly. But as we walked I was so struck again by how many homeless people are on the streets of Cologne. One man was even sitting with bare feet in a desperate attempt to gain the sympathy of passers-by so they would give him some money. It was heart-breaking. As we were walking down the stairs from the Cathedral to the station I walked by a man who was busy organising his bag or something. I looked at him and as our eyes met I smiled. He smiled back and then we were gone. But as I smiled at him it was almost as if that moment brought dignity that was being taken away by so many others just walking by. That the tiny gesture of acknowledging him brought value back to him. I didn’t give him any money or help, but I believe that you can never underestimate the power of a smile.
 
Well, my salad is almost done. They’ve added fresh parsley which is a different but a quite nice flavour in a Cesar Salad. It’ll be nice to be home in two-flights time (seems so strange to fly up to Oslo to then fly down to Stavanger again, but hey, that’s the itinerary so I’ll stick with it). I look forward to a free weekend at home. Working last weekend makes me appreciate free weekends so much more. Time to unpack my few things from this week and again turn my attention to the things that make up my life and my day-to-day in Norway.

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