Düsseldorf: Rain, Rhythms, and Really Good Currywurst
okay, so düsseldorf. it’s…a thing. i’m currently fueled by questionable coffee and the lingering scent of something vaguely floral from a shop i wandered into earlier. i’m a touring session drummer, which basically means i live out of a backpack and try not to lose my sticks. this gig took me here, and honestly? it’s growing on me.
first impressions were…grey. not the bad grey, like a looming storm, but the kind of grey that just is. i just checked and it’s…a persistent dampness, let’s call it, and you’ll probably want a waterproof jacket. the temperature’s hovering around eleven degrees, feels like ten, which is fine if you’re used to playing drums in unheated basements, which, admittedly, i am. the air pressure is weirdly high, like someone’s been squeezing the city all day. humidity’s at seventy-one percent, so your hair will definitely have opinions.
spent yesterday wandering around the altstadt (old town). it’s…intense. like, a lot of bars. a lot. someone told me that if you try to count all the pubs, you’ll lose your mind before you hit a hundred. i think they were serious. i did find a place that does amazing currywurst, though. seriously, life-changing. i’m not even kidding. check out reviews on Yelp.
“apparently, the locals call the altstadt ‘the longest bar in the world.’ i overheard that at a kebab shop at 3 am. take it with a grain of salt.”
my hotel is near the rhein, which is…a river. a big one. it’s kinda pretty, especially when it’s not actively raining. if you get bored, cologne and essen are just a short train ride away. i’ve heard cologne has a really cool music scene, so i might check that out tomorrow.
gear-wise, i’m traveling light (as always). here’s the essentials:
Drumsticks (obviously)
*Noise-canceling headphones (for surviving plane journeys and questionable hotel neighbors)
*Portable charger (because my phone is always dying)
*Universal adapter (a lifesaver)
*A really good waterproof jacket (seriously, don’t skimp on this)
*Small notebook and pen (for scribbling down song ideas and addresses of good currywurst places)
I heard from a sound guy that the jazz club on bolkerstrasse is worth checking out, but he was also three beers in, so…proceed with caution. i’ve been looking at some local events on TripAdvisor and there’s a small art exhibition happening near the medienhafen. might wander over there later.
“apparently, the people here are super into fashion. someone said i looked like i raided a lost and found. rude, but fair.”
overall, düsseldorf is…interesting. it’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s got a vibe. a slightly damp, slightly chaotic vibe. and the currywurst is really* good. you can find more info about the city on the official tourism website. i’m off to find more coffee. and maybe another currywurst. don’t judge me.
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