Düsseldorf: Rain, Reibekuchen, and a Whole Lotta Weird Vibes

okay, so dusseldorf. where do i even start? i just checked and it’s drizzling sideways - like, seriously, the rain is actively trying to push you into doorways. hope you like that kind of thing. i’m a touring session drummer, you know? I’m used to chaos, but this… this is a different kind of chaos. It’s a damp, grey, vaguely unsettling chaos.

I was here for a gig - a corporate thing, naturally. You know, the kind where they want you to play “background music” but also somehow make it “exciting.” The venue was… fine. But the city itself? It’s got this strange energy. Like a really polite robot trying to be human.

a close up of a plant on a wooden surface

I spent most of my downtime wandering around, trying to soak up the atmosphere. The Altstadt is… well, it’s a lot of half-timbered buildings. Pretty, I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing. I stumbled across this tiny little restaurant, totally unassuming, and had the best Reibekuchen of my life. Seriously, go find some Reibekuchen. It’s like a potato pancake, but better. Like, way better. I’m already dreaming about it. Check out some reviews on TripAdvisor if you're feeling adventurous: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g188233-Dusseldorf_North_Rhine_Westphalia.html

“Don’t trust the pigeons. They’re organized. I swear, they’re plotting something.”

That’s what some drunk guy told me outside a bar. I didn’t ask for clarification. Honestly, it felt pretty on-brand for Düsseldorf.

I did a little digging, and apparently, if you get bored, Cologne and Essen are just a short drive away. They seem… less grey. I might check them out next time.

a stone structure with a sky in the background

I tried to find some cool vintage shops, because, you know, drummer life requires a certain… aesthetic. Yelp was surprisingly helpful: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=vintage+clothing&find_loc=Dusseldorf,+North+Rhine-Westphalia. Found a few decent places, but nothing amazing. Mostly just a lot of very well-preserved 80s power suits. Not exactly my vibe.

Someone told me that the Königsallee is where all the fancy people hang out. I wandered down it. It’s… a really long street with a lot of expensive shops. And very serious-looking people. I felt very out of place in my slightly-too-worn band t-shirt.

a large body of water sitting next to a lush green hillside

Honestly, the whole trip felt a little… muted. Like someone turned down the saturation on reality. But hey, at least I got some good Reibekuchen. And I have a story about plotting pigeons. You can find more info about Düsseldorf on the official tourism website: https://www.visitduesseldorf.de/en/. Also, if you're looking for local forums, check out this board: https://www.dusseldorf.de/english/.

I’m off to find more caffeine. This city is draining my soul, one grey raindrop at a time.

Düsseldorf: Rain, Reibekuchen, and a Whole Lotta Weird Vibes

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About the author: Tobias King

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