düsseldorf: where my camera and i got frostbite

okay, so i landed in düsseldorf and my camera's battery died before i even got out of the taxi. classic. i just checked the weather app and it's currently doing that thing where the temperature is 2.85 but feels like -1.68, so bundle up if you're coming. my fingers were numb in five minutes. not ideal for adjusting focus, but hey, sometimes you gotta suffer for the shot.

if you run out of things to shoot, cologne's an hour away and they've got a whole different vibe. more gothic, less industrial. but düsseldorf has its own charm, i swear. the *altstadt is pretty packed with bars and tourists, but the real gems are in the medienhafen with those cool modern buildings. and the rhine promenade? okay, it's nice for a walk but bring a scarf.

some guy at a bar told me that the altstadt is overrated and you should skip it for the MedienHafen.

i overheard a local saying that the best coffee is at this place called 'kaffeerösterei', but they close early so don't sleep in.

anyway, i spent a day at the ko-ko-ko market, which is a bit of a hidden gem. you can find more about it on TripAdvisor. they say it's one of the best markets in the area. also, if you're into street art, the flingern neighborhood is where it's at. check out Yelp for some spots.

oh, and the pressure is 1015, which i guess is pretty standard? whatever, my point is the air is heavy and humid, so it's cold and damp. great for my sinuses, not so much for my lens.

after all that walking, i needed a drink. went to this place called carls* for the local beer. the bartender warned me about the strong stuff, but i'm a photographer, not a lightweight. right.

that flower? found it near the rhine. it was the only splash of color in this gray city. and then:

that tree was in the japanese garden. worth the trip, but again, dress warm.

and finally, my favorite shot of the trip:

it was just sitting in a park bench. sometimes the best shots are the simplest. anyway, that's düsseldorf for you. cold, gray, and full of surprises. if you go, bring gloves and a good lens. maybe check out the local tourism board for more ideas.