Belgium
Squashed between France, The Netherlands, and Germany (and also next to miniscule Luxembourg), Belgium is one of Europe's smaller countries — but its small size and small reputation bely what it has to offer. Belgium is the perfect example of European multi-lingual craziness: the country is roughly 60% Flemish-speaking (i.e. Dutch-speaking), and 40% French-speaking; but there are also some German-speaking spots, plus almost everyone speaks English at least semi-fluently. Not to be missed are Belgium's amazing chocolates, its hot crunchy waffles, and its formidable array of 500+ locally-brewed beers.
Train to Turnhout
Today I concluded my brief one-night stand in Cologne (and my mere two days in western Germany), and headed straight to Belgium, and to the small Flemish city of Turnhout (via Brussels), to meet my friends Annick and Stef. Before I left Cologne, I managed to buy myself a new money belt in the train station (since I lost my old one in Italy), and I now feel a lot more secure with my valuables in it: I'll be wearing it on every single train ride from now on. Turnhout is a small place; but amazingly, the DB attendant was able to sell me a ticket straight there, as he had it available as a direct destination in his computer (Annick and Stef were amazed and flattered when I told them). So, for now, I say auf wiedersehen to Germany.