.Jhihmoac

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...Not really the "Start of the festival" per se, but two ideas for an excursion next summer... As symbolized, both are festivals that put emphasis on electronic music, and both are held at the riverfronts of their respective cities, but that's where the similarities end, and as much as I would like to attend both, I'm only going to have the resources (and energy) for just one...

- Movement - I was at this back in 2001, and enjoyed myself thouroughly, but situations were different for me back then - such as locale where I resided, job status, and I had more reliable transportation (a vehicle of my own) at my disposal at that time...

Things have changed since then, and Domestic Flights have gotten a bit pricey now...Also, Detroit Metropolitan Airport will be a good 24 miles from Hart Plaza and Movement - I used to reside in the Detroit Area during my adolescent years... Detroit can also be quite a DANGEROUS place, especially away from the downtown crowds and after hours...As for lodging (based upon budget - naturally), I would more than likely have to settle upon a hotel near the airport and commute back and forth to the festival via SMART, which is rather limited, not to mention inconvenient...

-- Amphi - Never been to this, but was in Cologne (Koln) for a family reunion in 1990 when the unification process was still underway, and much of the government policies were still being handled in nearby Bonn, all while being slowly reorganized for the return to what was known then as "Die Hauptstadt ohne Land" (The Capital without a Country)...

Of course, now we're talking more expense, the hassle of applying for a passport, keeping things such as personal belongings as MINIMAL as possible - both going into the country and especially out again, a voltage adapter for my phone, tablet, shaver, etc., US currency to Euro, and about a hundred other things I still have to inquire about... Since my sister went to Europe last year, she'll help me out with what I need to do - IF I decide to go...

As for safety, I'm told that Koln is definitely NOT like Detroit... On the travel agenda, I can possibly obtain a cheap economy flight from JFK to Frankfurt (which is how I got to Germany back in 1990), and then take the ICE to Koln, where the station is right next to The Most Beautiful Thing in all of Germany - And she IS quite a looker - YOU try looking that good after 900 years! I definitely want to go inside and light a candle for both my mother and also my father, whom passed back in 2008...

I found out that Amphi is only a few minutes walk from the railroad station, and with a bit more research, I probably can find a reasonably priced room at some hotel or lodging-house that has a place where I can wash my clothes (I'm not putting dirty ones back into a compact clothing travel bag - Uhh Uhh!) There's still much to look into, but going across the big pond might be the more worthwhile experience than another excursion to The Motor City...Whichever one, I've got time right now...