Southern Spain - so much to see in such a short time. I grouped these three together since I only stayed one night in each town.
I took the night bus from Lisbon to Sevilla (they didn't have a train). It didn't make for a very good night's sleep and I got into Sevilla at 5:30am. I had directions to the hostel (hoping to drop off the pack and get organized for the day), so I decided I could walk, even if it was early in the morning. I got about 1/2 block and reason set it (more like I heard mom freaking out because I walked that early in the morning in the dark). I turned around and got a taxi to the hostel. I was able to store my bag and crashed for about 2 hours on the couch in the common room. The best sleep I had all night.
Then it was off to lose myself in the neighborhoods for awhile. I spent the afternoon in the cathedral. It's in the Guiness Book of World Records for having the largest area. And that it does. The organ has 7,000 pipes (hence the random picture I found on my camera later). And I couldn't leave without a picture of Columbus's tomb. I mean, Columbus was a true hero - at least wasn't that what they taught us in our American schools? In the treasury I found a statue with a golden crown filled with jewels, including the world's largest pearl. It sounds to me like Sevilla is trying really hard to compete with more famous cities like Madrid and Barcelona by putting itself on the map somehow.
My next stop was Cordoba. With its orange tree lined streets, I couldn't help but think of Rick and I picking oranges from Grandmommie's orange tree in the backyard. Both of us climbing to the highest branches we could, to reach the oranges.
Cordoba's biggest attraction is the Mezquita, a mosque turned cathedral. The mosque survives on the outer portions of the building while smack in the middle is the cathedral. It was very interesting to walk through both parts comparing and contrasting the two styles. Light, dark, lively, reflective, loud, quiet, muted, colorful. Interesting.
Then it was off to Granada. You can really see the Moorish/Islamic influence in this town. The walkways to the hostel were lined with Islamic shops with incense burning and hookahs going. The first day I toured the town, saw the statue of Columbus and Queen Isabel, and spent some time people watching from Plaza Nueva. Then it was off to the Royal Chapel and the tombs of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel. Next was the cathedral (yes, another one). I think I am about cathedraled out.
The next day was the Alhambra, what brings most people to Granada. The greatest part about traveling in the off season - no ticket lines or reservations needed for the big sights. I just walked up, got my ticket (there was only one other person in line) and walked right onto the grounds. Amazing! Especially since this great Moorish palace is said to get 8,000 visitors a day.
There were four parts to the Alhambra. My favorite was the Palacios Nazaries - the Moorish palace. The Generalife Gardens were great, but it had started to drizzle. Not a good thing when you are walking outside through gardens.
I was on the night train to Barcelona, so I spent the rest of the late afternoon and evening chilling in the common room of the hostel. I met Gabe who lives in Berkely and is interested in moving to Colorado. He had been working for his uncle in Portugal in construction and had been traveling around. We had a great, long conversation about life. He was debating on going back to Morroco where he met and fell for a girl in the Peace Corp, or traveling to Colorado. I think by the end of the conversation I had him convinced to come to Colorado. And as much as it pained me, he had Boulder written all over him. I tried to sell him on the merits of Fort Collins, but I think he is just a Boulderite by heart.
And then I almost missed my train! Stupid 24 hour clock, it messes me up every time! Thanks Rick, for pushing me to check my departure time and do the math again. I sprang for the taxi instead of walking to the station and made it. Thank you, bro!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Lisbon, Portugal
Another long day of traveling, this time by bus. I like trains much better than busses I am finding out. I get into town and find a taxi, my limited map didn't even show where my hostel was, so there was no way I could walk there. I showed the name of the hostel and the address to the driver and he has no idea where it is. Great! He asks another cabbie, gets directions, and we are off. We had to stop 3 different times for more directions, but he finally got me there.
The hostel may have been hard to find, but it was well worth it. One of the best I have stayed in. The staff was so friendly, introducing themselves and remembering my name when they greeted me each time they saw me. The common room was filled with people coming and going and willing to talk with others. The hostel has 3 buildings in the area and that night they had all 3 chefs together creating various Italian dishes for dinner that night. It was a great night, and I had a 4-person room all to myself.
Lisbon is very similar to San Francisco. It's very hilly, the bridge looks like the Golden Gate (same builders I found out), and it even has trollies. The town is on the water, but doesn't have the wharfs and piers of San Fran; no sea lions either.
The main touristy area was leveld in the 1755 earthquake - another similarity to San Fran. When they rebuilt the area, they fit it to a nice grid making it very easy to get around. The other touristy area I visited was much harder to navigate. Streets that twist and turn and change names frequently, hills that seem to end, but don't, and a map that didn't list all the steets made this area a challenge.
I may have only gotten to see one city in Portugal, however my bus ride showed me a lot of the country itself.
The hostel may have been hard to find, but it was well worth it. One of the best I have stayed in. The staff was so friendly, introducing themselves and remembering my name when they greeted me each time they saw me. The common room was filled with people coming and going and willing to talk with others. The hostel has 3 buildings in the area and that night they had all 3 chefs together creating various Italian dishes for dinner that night. It was a great night, and I had a 4-person room all to myself.
Lisbon is very similar to San Francisco. It's very hilly, the bridge looks like the Golden Gate (same builders I found out), and it even has trollies. The town is on the water, but doesn't have the wharfs and piers of San Fran; no sea lions either.
The main touristy area was leveld in the 1755 earthquake - another similarity to San Fran. When they rebuilt the area, they fit it to a nice grid making it very easy to get around. The other touristy area I visited was much harder to navigate. Streets that twist and turn and change names frequently, hills that seem to end, but don't, and a map that didn't list all the steets made this area a challenge.
I may have only gotten to see one city in Portugal, however my bus ride showed me a lot of the country itself.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
I spent most of my Thanksgiving on a train to Santiago. It was dark when I got into town (not hard to do in the winter, plus it was an 11 hour ride), so I took my first taxi of this trip. I haven't been in a car for 6 weeks. Strange, seeing as my life seemed to have revolved around my car back in the States. Ok, it wasn't quite that bad, but it is definitely different here.
Santiago de Compostela is known as the end of the camino de Santiago. Since the Middle Ages pilgrims have walked or ridden horses across Northern Spain to pay homage to the remains of St. James. The cathedral has almost a mystical feel to it. Maybe it's just the weary and worn out pilgrims that are so full of excitment to finally have made it. There were a few milling about as I was there. The cathedral is the main site to this town, so I spent the rest of my time wandering through strees in the main area of town.
I feasted on grilled prawns for my Thanksgiving dinner, with their heads still on, I might add. I still can't get used to that one. The tv behind the bar at the restaurant had on a story about traditional American Thanksgiving meals being served in parts of Spain. Mostly in bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona. I couldn't understand all of it, they talk so fast! I got a couple of words and the pictures shown on the screen. I guess I always thought of Thanksgiving as an American holiday and one that the rest of the world wouldn't really care about. Evidently not.
And Black Friday is widespread as well. The paper in the cafe the next morning was full of ads for Black Friday sales. They even called it Black Friday. Weird. I always knew of Black Friday as the day after Thanksgiving. But if you don´t celebrate Thanksgiving, how do you know when Black Friday is? Do they know it as the last Friday in November? Hmmm.
Santiago de Compostela is known as the end of the camino de Santiago. Since the Middle Ages pilgrims have walked or ridden horses across Northern Spain to pay homage to the remains of St. James. The cathedral has almost a mystical feel to it. Maybe it's just the weary and worn out pilgrims that are so full of excitment to finally have made it. There were a few milling about as I was there. The cathedral is the main site to this town, so I spent the rest of my time wandering through strees in the main area of town.
I feasted on grilled prawns for my Thanksgiving dinner, with their heads still on, I might add. I still can't get used to that one. The tv behind the bar at the restaurant had on a story about traditional American Thanksgiving meals being served in parts of Spain. Mostly in bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona. I couldn't understand all of it, they talk so fast! I got a couple of words and the pictures shown on the screen. I guess I always thought of Thanksgiving as an American holiday and one that the rest of the world wouldn't really care about. Evidently not.
And Black Friday is widespread as well. The paper in the cafe the next morning was full of ads for Black Friday sales. They even called it Black Friday. Weird. I always knew of Black Friday as the day after Thanksgiving. But if you don´t celebrate Thanksgiving, how do you know when Black Friday is? Do they know it as the last Friday in November? Hmmm.
San Sebastian, Spain
Time for some rest and relaxation. I just hope the weather cooperates. The place I wanted to stay was closed, so I found another pension that was close by. It worked out great. They gave me my own little suite with a kitchen. The bathroom was still down the hall, though. Weird. They give me my own kitchen, but I have to share a bathroom? You would think it would be the other way around, wouldn't you?
The first afternoon I walked barefoot through the sandy beach, then sat and watched the sunset. I was missing my fellow sandcastle maker, though. (Kitty, tell Riley I really wanted to make a sandcastle and thought of him.) Then I watched the sunset from the beach. Pretty amazing. After some down time in the room (sunset was before 6 and restaurants don't even open for dinner until 8 pm), I joined the locals in a paseo (walk) while trying to decide on a restaurant for dinner. This time my paseo was on the walkway just up from the beach.
I was really looking forward to some fresh seafood, so I splurged and ordered the lobster. I had forgotten, however, that they serve everything whole. They literally cooked the lobster, split it in half, and served it to me on a plate. I had to remember how to eat the edible parts while leaving the rest. My plate was a mutilated mess when I was finished, but it was good!
The next day was raining, not exactly beachy weather. I tried to go for a walk in the rain with my umbrella, but the wind kept unending the umbrella. I finally said heck with it, found a cafe, and sat reading my book for about 3 hours. I would rather have been reading on the beach, but the cafe at least overlooked the water. Not a bad few hours I would say.
My last day was a mixture of clouds and sun. I went to spend some more time on the beach, but the high tides kept me from finding a good spot to settle down. I kept having to get out of the way of the water that was bent on chasing after me.
I came to San Sebastian for some chill time, no bus or train schedules, no museums or sights, no getting lost in neighborhoods. While here I had good seafood, read my books (finally got to The Hunger Games - soooo good), and soul searching walks on the beach. Mission accomplished. More sightseeing ahead.
The first afternoon I walked barefoot through the sandy beach, then sat and watched the sunset. I was missing my fellow sandcastle maker, though. (Kitty, tell Riley I really wanted to make a sandcastle and thought of him.) Then I watched the sunset from the beach. Pretty amazing. After some down time in the room (sunset was before 6 and restaurants don't even open for dinner until 8 pm), I joined the locals in a paseo (walk) while trying to decide on a restaurant for dinner. This time my paseo was on the walkway just up from the beach.
I was really looking forward to some fresh seafood, so I splurged and ordered the lobster. I had forgotten, however, that they serve everything whole. They literally cooked the lobster, split it in half, and served it to me on a plate. I had to remember how to eat the edible parts while leaving the rest. My plate was a mutilated mess when I was finished, but it was good!
The next day was raining, not exactly beachy weather. I tried to go for a walk in the rain with my umbrella, but the wind kept unending the umbrella. I finally said heck with it, found a cafe, and sat reading my book for about 3 hours. I would rather have been reading on the beach, but the cafe at least overlooked the water. Not a bad few hours I would say.
My last day was a mixture of clouds and sun. I went to spend some more time on the beach, but the high tides kept me from finding a good spot to settle down. I kept having to get out of the way of the water that was bent on chasing after me.
I came to San Sebastian for some chill time, no bus or train schedules, no museums or sights, no getting lost in neighborhoods. While here I had good seafood, read my books (finally got to The Hunger Games - soooo good), and soul searching walks on the beach. Mission accomplished. More sightseeing ahead.
Madrid, Spain
Eventhough I am finally in a country where I can understand some of the language, it makes me realize just how much of this language I have lost. I can get by with a very basic vocabulary, but am nowhere near fluent.
I took a couple of different walks through parts of the city. Knowing I am only here for a couple of days, I stuck to the touristy center of the city. The hotel was a cute little family run place. The mom spoke almost no English, but the son and daughter did. I am glad I read about the neighborhood I was staying in before I got here, and was prepared for it. It wasn't really that bad, Mom. In Madrid prostitution is legal, provided you are over 18. Each night, and even during the day, the street would be practically lined with women dressed very provacativley. At least as a female traveler, they weren't coming after me.
The guys at the gold for cash places were another matter. They were very pushy and in your face trying to get you to come into the store. And what is with the lotto ticket craze here? I don't know what that is about. Each morning the stands that sell tickets would have lines at least 20 people deep, and there would be at least 6 of these stands in one plaza. And the women with their own lotto ticket kiosks were constantly yelling things out to the crowd of people to get them to buy tickets. And I thought Americans were bad about their lotto ticket habits. They are nothing compared to Madrid.
That evening at dinner, I was sitting next to a couple from Vegas that were out here for work. They work for some kind of show, I never got the name of which one. Their box office manager just up and quit, so these 2 were flown out to clean up the mess that was left and pull together the show. We had a Great time at dinner that night! The wine was flowing and so was the conversation. Lots of laughter and random topics, one of which centered around speaking mostly in adverbs. You had to be there, I know. One of the waiters who spoke a little English was laughing at us. It was a good thing the restaurant was just down the street from the hotel.
The next day was spent at the Royal Palace. While the "royal family" of Spain no longer lives there, the palace is still used for many events and functions. The rooms were pretty impressive I must say. No pictures were allowed and the guards were very strict on that one. The rest of the afternoon was spent walking through the park, that is until it started raining.
My last day in Madrid was also rainy, so I hit the Prado Museum. It houses some of the most important and famous paintings in Spain. The English handout actually listed them all, so I decided my mission was to find them all. What else was I going to do on a rainy day in Spain? It took about 4 hours, but I did it.
My next stop is my beach time in San Sebastian!! Can't wait.
I took a couple of different walks through parts of the city. Knowing I am only here for a couple of days, I stuck to the touristy center of the city. The hotel was a cute little family run place. The mom spoke almost no English, but the son and daughter did. I am glad I read about the neighborhood I was staying in before I got here, and was prepared for it. It wasn't really that bad, Mom. In Madrid prostitution is legal, provided you are over 18. Each night, and even during the day, the street would be practically lined with women dressed very provacativley. At least as a female traveler, they weren't coming after me.
The guys at the gold for cash places were another matter. They were very pushy and in your face trying to get you to come into the store. And what is with the lotto ticket craze here? I don't know what that is about. Each morning the stands that sell tickets would have lines at least 20 people deep, and there would be at least 6 of these stands in one plaza. And the women with their own lotto ticket kiosks were constantly yelling things out to the crowd of people to get them to buy tickets. And I thought Americans were bad about their lotto ticket habits. They are nothing compared to Madrid.
That evening at dinner, I was sitting next to a couple from Vegas that were out here for work. They work for some kind of show, I never got the name of which one. Their box office manager just up and quit, so these 2 were flown out to clean up the mess that was left and pull together the show. We had a Great time at dinner that night! The wine was flowing and so was the conversation. Lots of laughter and random topics, one of which centered around speaking mostly in adverbs. You had to be there, I know. One of the waiters who spoke a little English was laughing at us. It was a good thing the restaurant was just down the street from the hotel.
The next day was spent at the Royal Palace. While the "royal family" of Spain no longer lives there, the palace is still used for many events and functions. The rooms were pretty impressive I must say. No pictures were allowed and the guards were very strict on that one. The rest of the afternoon was spent walking through the park, that is until it started raining.
My last day in Madrid was also rainy, so I hit the Prado Museum. It houses some of the most important and famous paintings in Spain. The English handout actually listed them all, so I decided my mission was to find them all. What else was I going to do on a rainy day in Spain? It took about 4 hours, but I did it.
My next stop is my beach time in San Sebastian!! Can't wait.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Amboise, France
My hostel is really cool. Well, not the hostel itself, but its location. The hostel itself is pretty dead, which isn't so bad because it means I have my own room and it is pretty quiet. The hostel is located on the banks of the Loire River. There is even a sandy spot which is perfect for reading and journaling.
Amboise is right in the middle of castle haven, so of course I had to go check out a couple. While most of them are better reached with a car, I set my eyes on what looked like one of the cooler ones. That, and I could take a bus to reach it. :-)
Chateau de Chenonceaux was built in the 16th century in a true Renaissance fashion. But this castle wasn't built for protection. It was built for pleasure. It has a different feel to it once you were inside. The grounds are filled with gardens, walking paths, huge trees, fountains, and a maze. The hedges only come up to about your shoulders, but it was still cool. It was easy to spend most of the day wandering the grounds around the castle.
Then it was back to the hostel for my wine and then settling down on the bank of the river to watch the sunset. Tomorrow is yet again another castle in the morning. This starts my very long day of travel. My railpass is ready. Here it goes - Amboise to Blois, tour the castle in the morning, afternoon train to Paris, pass a few hours people watching and trying to find some filling food, then the night train to Madrid. Spain, here I come!
Amboise is right in the middle of castle haven, so of course I had to go check out a couple. While most of them are better reached with a car, I set my eyes on what looked like one of the cooler ones. That, and I could take a bus to reach it. :-)
Chateau de Chenonceaux was built in the 16th century in a true Renaissance fashion. But this castle wasn't built for protection. It was built for pleasure. It has a different feel to it once you were inside. The grounds are filled with gardens, walking paths, huge trees, fountains, and a maze. The hedges only come up to about your shoulders, but it was still cool. It was easy to spend most of the day wandering the grounds around the castle.
Then it was back to the hostel for my wine and then settling down on the bank of the river to watch the sunset. Tomorrow is yet again another castle in the morning. This starts my very long day of travel. My railpass is ready. Here it goes - Amboise to Blois, tour the castle in the morning, afternoon train to Paris, pass a few hours people watching and trying to find some filling food, then the night train to Madrid. Spain, here I come!
Mont St. Michel
Made the list of places to come back to. I didn't have much time there to explore; it turned out to be only 1/2 day due to train schedules, and early sunsets.
There is an abby that sits on the island. During the high tide, the water comes up to the door of the TI on the island. At low tide you can actually walk on the mud flats that connect the island to the mainland. However, between the incredibly fast moving tide as it comes in, the unpredictable thick fog, and the quicksand, I didn't risk it. See mom, I am growing up. Who am I kidding, the responsible first born wouldn't have taken the risk anyway. I will just take a guided tour, with a local guide, of the mudflats when I return.
I didn't get to go in the abby because it is off-season and closes much earlier, but I did get to watch the colorful sunset as I was walking out to the abby and I walked around the exterior at dusk. That was pretty amazing.
After a forgettable dinner of salmon pasta and a night in a small hotel with a great view of the sunrise in the morning, it was off to Amboise to see yet another castle. It's a good thing I really like castles and I am the one who put together this itinerary, so I knew what I was getting myself into.
There is an abby that sits on the island. During the high tide, the water comes up to the door of the TI on the island. At low tide you can actually walk on the mud flats that connect the island to the mainland. However, between the incredibly fast moving tide as it comes in, the unpredictable thick fog, and the quicksand, I didn't risk it. See mom, I am growing up. Who am I kidding, the responsible first born wouldn't have taken the risk anyway. I will just take a guided tour, with a local guide, of the mudflats when I return.
I didn't get to go in the abby because it is off-season and closes much earlier, but I did get to watch the colorful sunset as I was walking out to the abby and I walked around the exterior at dusk. That was pretty amazing.
After a forgettable dinner of salmon pasta and a night in a small hotel with a great view of the sunrise in the morning, it was off to Amboise to see yet another castle. It's a good thing I really like castles and I am the one who put together this itinerary, so I knew what I was getting myself into.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Normandy, France
Definitely a place to come back to. Either rent a car to visit the beaches or take a guided tour. On the list to do when I come vack.
I stayed in the little town of Bayeaux, mostly known for the tapestry done of the Duke of Normandy and his rise to power. The cathedral in the center of town isn't too bad either.
I spent the next day at the WWII museum in Caen. It was very informative and useful. I had wanted to tour the beaches, but it is hard to do without a car or a reservation on a guided tour (neither of which I had). That's ok, it just goes on the list of places to come back to. :-)
That night I was at a restaurant having finished my dinner and enjoying my dessert, when these 3 older gentlemen came in. They were everything you hear about Americans being in Europe. They were very loud and boistorous and didn't care that they were. And they weren't even American, they were Canadian! As they sat down, I laughed at something one of them said, ice broken.
What first started out as 2 of them trying to set me up with the other who was in the restroom, soon turned into them trying to set me up with his son. A high school history teacher who loves to travel whose name is Ron. But he lives in Ottowa, and doesn't even know I exisit.
Another night of good food, great, fun conversation, and good company. Thanks fellas!!
I stayed in the little town of Bayeaux, mostly known for the tapestry done of the Duke of Normandy and his rise to power. The cathedral in the center of town isn't too bad either.
I spent the next day at the WWII museum in Caen. It was very informative and useful. I had wanted to tour the beaches, but it is hard to do without a car or a reservation on a guided tour (neither of which I had). That's ok, it just goes on the list of places to come back to. :-)
That night I was at a restaurant having finished my dinner and enjoying my dessert, when these 3 older gentlemen came in. They were everything you hear about Americans being in Europe. They were very loud and boistorous and didn't care that they were. And they weren't even American, they were Canadian! As they sat down, I laughed at something one of them said, ice broken.
What first started out as 2 of them trying to set me up with the other who was in the restroom, soon turned into them trying to set me up with his son. A high school history teacher who loves to travel whose name is Ron. But he lives in Ottowa, and doesn't even know I exisit.
Another night of good food, great, fun conversation, and good company. Thanks fellas!!
Paris!
Getting here was quite the journey. I survived my first train strike (I was bound to hit one at some point in this journey), and I actually got to my destination. It only took 4 hours longer and 3 more exchanges than it should have, but I made it!
I knew I was in for some major sightseeing in Paris, but also knew, in 3 days, there was no way to see it all. I started with Notre Dam and a walk through the Latin Quarter. Notre Dam was really impressive and the stained glass in Saint Chapelle was incredible. Walking through the small cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter, you almost forgot you were in Paris. The hustle and bustle of the big city was gone, it was just you and the shop lined streets, and all the other tourists, of course.
A walk through the Tuileries Garden and some down time sitting in the sun by the fountains are a great way to pass the mid-afternoon. Then it was off to The Louve. Impressive paintings and incredible marble sculptures kept me busy for 3 hours. I hit the biggies and marveled at some of the lesser known. My English audioguide was my savior, as everything was in French, of course. I tried to steer away from the many Asian tour groups. And while I really enjoyed the paintings, I was more intrigued by the statues. Not exactly sure why. In 3 hours I still only made it through about 1/2 the museum.
A night stroll down Champ Elysees to find some dinner rounded out my evening. I got back to the hostel and checked in to my new room (they had me switch rooms from the night before) and realized I was the only girl in a room with 5 guys.
Now I remember why I don't like bunking with boys. They are smelly and messy. There were shavings and thoothpaste in the sink, towels strewn all over the bathroom, and the room smelled like feet. The only bed left was a top bunk. Yay for putting shorties on the top bunk (especially hose with no ladders). I did find a chair to use. I climbed up and was ready for sleep to overcome my tired body, when the snoring started. Great! This is gonna be a long night. I put on my ipod, which worked for awhile, but then the snoring got louder, so my music got louder. It still didn't work. I tossed and turned most of the night and finally gave in about 4:30 and got on the computer. Right after I posted on fb, the snoring stopped. I eased myself back down and managed about 2 hours sleep before it started again.
The next day was another busy one. I started with the Arc de Triomphe and a walk down Champs Elysse in the daylight (nighttime is better in my opinion) then off to the Orangerie Museum to see Monet's water lillies - the big one, 8 panels that take up 2 rooms. It's the entire upper floor of the museum. Just incredible to sit there and get lost in the paintings, no matter what direction you were facing.
Then off to wait in line at the Eiffel Tower. I knew it was big, but standing underneath the first level and seeing how far apart the "posts" were was incredible. I tried to time it right so I caught the sun setting from atop the tower. Beautiful, almost magical. So much so, it seemed sureal. And it hit me, I'm in Paris! You know how you hear people talk about Paris and you think, man I would love to go there sometime. Well, I am here now!! It's someday for me! Tomorrow is Versailles.
Wow, now that is a palace!! And the grounds were huge with immaculate gardens, too bad the flowers weren't in bloom. Beautiful fountains, and so many walking paths it was easy to get lost in them. I imaginied myself as royalty for the day. Dressed in a gorgeous full gown walking down the staircase as if I was floating on air. Sitting down to dinner with the fancy china and silver. I can just picture myself waltzing through the ballroom. And although it would be so much fun for a few days, I know I would not have wanted to live during this time period.
I knew I was in for some major sightseeing in Paris, but also knew, in 3 days, there was no way to see it all. I started with Notre Dam and a walk through the Latin Quarter. Notre Dam was really impressive and the stained glass in Saint Chapelle was incredible. Walking through the small cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter, you almost forgot you were in Paris. The hustle and bustle of the big city was gone, it was just you and the shop lined streets, and all the other tourists, of course.
A walk through the Tuileries Garden and some down time sitting in the sun by the fountains are a great way to pass the mid-afternoon. Then it was off to The Louve. Impressive paintings and incredible marble sculptures kept me busy for 3 hours. I hit the biggies and marveled at some of the lesser known. My English audioguide was my savior, as everything was in French, of course. I tried to steer away from the many Asian tour groups. And while I really enjoyed the paintings, I was more intrigued by the statues. Not exactly sure why. In 3 hours I still only made it through about 1/2 the museum.
A night stroll down Champ Elysees to find some dinner rounded out my evening. I got back to the hostel and checked in to my new room (they had me switch rooms from the night before) and realized I was the only girl in a room with 5 guys.
Now I remember why I don't like bunking with boys. They are smelly and messy. There were shavings and thoothpaste in the sink, towels strewn all over the bathroom, and the room smelled like feet. The only bed left was a top bunk. Yay for putting shorties on the top bunk (especially hose with no ladders). I did find a chair to use. I climbed up and was ready for sleep to overcome my tired body, when the snoring started. Great! This is gonna be a long night. I put on my ipod, which worked for awhile, but then the snoring got louder, so my music got louder. It still didn't work. I tossed and turned most of the night and finally gave in about 4:30 and got on the computer. Right after I posted on fb, the snoring stopped. I eased myself back down and managed about 2 hours sleep before it started again.
The next day was another busy one. I started with the Arc de Triomphe and a walk down Champs Elysse in the daylight (nighttime is better in my opinion) then off to the Orangerie Museum to see Monet's water lillies - the big one, 8 panels that take up 2 rooms. It's the entire upper floor of the museum. Just incredible to sit there and get lost in the paintings, no matter what direction you were facing.
Then off to wait in line at the Eiffel Tower. I knew it was big, but standing underneath the first level and seeing how far apart the "posts" were was incredible. I tried to time it right so I caught the sun setting from atop the tower. Beautiful, almost magical. So much so, it seemed sureal. And it hit me, I'm in Paris! You know how you hear people talk about Paris and you think, man I would love to go there sometime. Well, I am here now!! It's someday for me! Tomorrow is Versailles.
Wow, now that is a palace!! And the grounds were huge with immaculate gardens, too bad the flowers weren't in bloom. Beautiful fountains, and so many walking paths it was easy to get lost in them. I imaginied myself as royalty for the day. Dressed in a gorgeous full gown walking down the staircase as if I was floating on air. Sitting down to dinner with the fancy china and silver. I can just picture myself waltzing through the ballroom. And although it would be so much fun for a few days, I know I would not have wanted to live during this time period.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Gimmelwald, Switzerland
Wow! I'm in love! Switzerland, especially Gimmelwald has gotten me hooked!
While it's technically at a lower elevation than Ft. Collins, by about 500 ft, it feels so much higher. The mountains look very different as well. These just seem to be sheer rock faces that grow up out of nowhere. To me, the Rockies seem to have more ridges in front and foothills, so the mountain peaks seem more gradual.
This is an interesting time of year to visit Gimmelwald. Most everyting is closed; I hit the mountain hostel on its closing weekend. It is hard to find a restaurant open as well. But t is very quiet and peaceful without the crowds. The first afternoon I sat out on the terrace taking in the scenery, enjoying my book, and trying to recoup from Munich. It was a good thing too, seeing as the group at the hostel picked up where Munich left off.
Gimmelwald is breathtaking! Snow capped mountain peaks in every direction, amazing hikes, and plenty of cowbells. The weather was actually pretty good for the beginning of November. I wanted to take the gondola up to one of the peaks, but no such luck while I was there. The first day was too windy up top, so they shut down the gondola. The second day there was a conference of some sort that took over the entire top of the mountain, 400 people they said. So I did some smaller hikes and read my book. My calves are really sore. I think from the downhill portions of my hikes.
I was reading the guestbook at the hostel on my last night. It was filled with people saying things like, I came to Gimmelwald for 2 nights and stayed 5, this is what heaven must be like, and I know I will be coming back to this place.
It is hard to not sound cliche, but I totally agree! Gimmelwald made it on my list of places to come back to, like there was ever a doubt in that! And this time I will make it to the peak of the mountain. I am not leaving until I do!!
The scenic train ride through Switzerland was Gorgeous! On one leg of it I was on a classic old-time railcar. I got pics and took a video of it to post. (I guess I should do,that, huh?) It was a really great ride. The route I chose made for a really long day. The best part was from Interlaken to Montreaux.
While it's technically at a lower elevation than Ft. Collins, by about 500 ft, it feels so much higher. The mountains look very different as well. These just seem to be sheer rock faces that grow up out of nowhere. To me, the Rockies seem to have more ridges in front and foothills, so the mountain peaks seem more gradual.
This is an interesting time of year to visit Gimmelwald. Most everyting is closed; I hit the mountain hostel on its closing weekend. It is hard to find a restaurant open as well. But t is very quiet and peaceful without the crowds. The first afternoon I sat out on the terrace taking in the scenery, enjoying my book, and trying to recoup from Munich. It was a good thing too, seeing as the group at the hostel picked up where Munich left off.
Gimmelwald is breathtaking! Snow capped mountain peaks in every direction, amazing hikes, and plenty of cowbells. The weather was actually pretty good for the beginning of November. I wanted to take the gondola up to one of the peaks, but no such luck while I was there. The first day was too windy up top, so they shut down the gondola. The second day there was a conference of some sort that took over the entire top of the mountain, 400 people they said. So I did some smaller hikes and read my book. My calves are really sore. I think from the downhill portions of my hikes.
I was reading the guestbook at the hostel on my last night. It was filled with people saying things like, I came to Gimmelwald for 2 nights and stayed 5, this is what heaven must be like, and I know I will be coming back to this place.
It is hard to not sound cliche, but I totally agree! Gimmelwald made it on my list of places to come back to, like there was ever a doubt in that! And this time I will make it to the peak of the mountain. I am not leaving until I do!!
The scenic train ride through Switzerland was Gorgeous! On one leg of it I was on a classic old-time railcar. I got pics and took a video of it to post. (I guess I should do,that, huh?) It was a really great ride. The route I chose made for a really long day. The best part was from Interlaken to Montreaux.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Munich, Germany
I am reminded of the fact that I am not 21 anymore, but the last few days are worth the tiredness I feel now. Cheers to my Wombats family!
I had planned on meeting up with Carrie, from the Sound of Music tour, at the hostel in Munich, but arrived a day early. I had just sat down to email her and look over, and Carrie is there. Yay! We went to find some dinner. Good food, great conversation, and meeting up with a traveler from an earlier journey - great experience.
Monday I went to Nurnberg (Nuremburg in English). There is a museum that focuses on the history of how the Nazies actually got started. It was a great lesson in history and filled in many of the gaps that I don't remember learning in America. I also walked around the area that was once his presentation area. The pictures in the museum helped you to visualize the thousands upon thousands of soldiers marching down the street and onto the grounds (4 sq miles).
As much as I don't agree with Hitler and detest what he stood for, the man really was intelligent and cunning. He knew just what to say and give to the German people after WWI and they bought into him. It absolutely amazes me that it took over 10 years for any opposition to Hitler to take hold.
While I, as a traveler, enjoy all the information and signage around in Germany about the war, I realize it is something the German people still feel very shameful about. Except for the museum and a few signs, this area looks nothing like it did 60 years ago. There is a beautiful lake filled with native fish in the place where all the soldiers used to line up to hear Hitler speak. There is a kind of fairground they use for concerts and big community gatherings. The massively wide street the soldiers would march down is a parking lot for the events in the area. Germans have done a good job of using the space for things that won't remind them of the horrible events every day. I am trying to be aware of their continued guilt surrounding these events as I am visually putting together the events and places in my own head. It proved to be a reflective day, for sure.
I got back to the hostel to meet Carrie for dinner, as she was off to Paris in the morning. She had met a girl named Caroline from Australia. We were talking in the common room about my day and I mentioned wanting to go to Dachau to the concentration camp memorial. Caroline said she would join me, then another American, Aaron, overheard us and wanted to come. Sweet, we were now a group of 3.
However, I wasn't sure they would be open, seeing as it was a holiday, All Saints Day. I went up to the reception desk to find out and got caught up in this hilarious conversation with Ozzie, who worked at the hostel. Customer relations and tour extraordinare. It was kind of like talking with someone with ADD on speed. Inuendos flying everywhere. My stomach was hurting I was laughing so much. Point being, yes the memorial was open tomorrow. The 3 of us decided on a meeting time for tomorrow and off to dinner we went. Aaron was meeting up with some other people, so the 3 girls set off. Knowing it was Halloween, we weren't sure what was in store for the night.
The next morning at breakfast we were discussing how to get to Dachau. There was a group train ticket for 2 -5 people. We had 3 and were joking about needing 2 more. Caroline leans over to 2 boys from Scotland sitting next to us, and just like that we had 2 more. They went upstairs to change and brought down another to join us. While waiting for the Scots we recruited another traveler sitting in the lobby. What had started as just me had quickly grown to a group of 7. Sweet!
We navigated the trams and busses, grabbed our audioguides once we arrived, agreed on a meeting time, and off we went. How to describe Dachau - intense, horrific, powerful, emotional. I walked the grounds of the actual camp, standing where thousands of prisoners stood every morning and night for roll call. They had to remain standing until everyone was accounted for, sometimes taking all night. I walked through the barracks where a room meant for 50 people was stuffed with over 400. Towards the back of the site were the religious monuments set up after the war. And finally to the crematorium and gas chamber they claim was never used for mass killings. They modeled the chamber at Aushwitz after the chamber at Dachau. Talk about a moving experience!
The museum was the most informative, yet emotional part of the memorial site. There was so much information inside, you could spend days there. I think one of the interviews from a survivor summed it up well. He was an American soldier that came to view Dachau during the war. He said it was like being on a different world. This couldn't possibly have been our planet. My whole experience at the site seemed so surreal.
During the course of the day, our group of 7 split into 2 groups, one that stayed at Dachau for a while longer, and one that went back to town. I think I spent about 5 hours at the memorial site. I could have stayed longer, but was emotionally spent, and they were closing soon.
We had dinner that night at the famouse beer hall, The Hafbrauhaus. The food was ok, but who comes for the food? It's all about the beer. I know Rick was there enjoying it with me. :) We got back to the hostel and caught up with the others who had been drinking for awhile. A night of booze, drinking games, and an Italian who couldn't speak a word of English but still managed to be the center of the party ensued. I made some new friends, had lots of laughs and little sleep.
My final day in Munich was filled with museums and the Naples vs. Munich soccer match! First on the list, The Residenz where the royalty of Bavaria once lived. Sadly this whole area was so badly damaged in the war, nothing is original. It has all been restored beautifully though. Two art museums were next up, art from the 17th - 20th centuries. A school group was inside, 2nd and 3rd graders, it looked like. The younger kids were gathered around and drawing one of Van Gogh's sunflowers. The older kids were creating their own version of one of Monet's water lillies. Can you imagine being 7 or 8 and standing in front of such famous works of art? Wow!
That night was the soccer match. We knew there was no way we were getting tickets. We had a group of 8, and it was a Champions League match. But we wanted to be part of the action anyway. We headed down to the stadium fairly early, just to check out the scene. We were hoping for a pub nearby with a tv. No such luck, the stadium is way out in the middle of nowhere. Just getting to walk around and mingle with the fans was exciting. We settled for watching the game from a pub around the corner from the hostel. A Champions League game - what a match! The Munich team won! Then it was back to the hostel for more drinks, and some much needed laundry time for me. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night either.
Munich was a blast! An old city with a lot of history, fun new friends, food and drinks, lots of laughter, and plenty of memories! I was kind of sad to be leaving, but Switzerland is waiting.
I had planned on meeting up with Carrie, from the Sound of Music tour, at the hostel in Munich, but arrived a day early. I had just sat down to email her and look over, and Carrie is there. Yay! We went to find some dinner. Good food, great conversation, and meeting up with a traveler from an earlier journey - great experience.
Monday I went to Nurnberg (Nuremburg in English). There is a museum that focuses on the history of how the Nazies actually got started. It was a great lesson in history and filled in many of the gaps that I don't remember learning in America. I also walked around the area that was once his presentation area. The pictures in the museum helped you to visualize the thousands upon thousands of soldiers marching down the street and onto the grounds (4 sq miles).
As much as I don't agree with Hitler and detest what he stood for, the man really was intelligent and cunning. He knew just what to say and give to the German people after WWI and they bought into him. It absolutely amazes me that it took over 10 years for any opposition to Hitler to take hold.
While I, as a traveler, enjoy all the information and signage around in Germany about the war, I realize it is something the German people still feel very shameful about. Except for the museum and a few signs, this area looks nothing like it did 60 years ago. There is a beautiful lake filled with native fish in the place where all the soldiers used to line up to hear Hitler speak. There is a kind of fairground they use for concerts and big community gatherings. The massively wide street the soldiers would march down is a parking lot for the events in the area. Germans have done a good job of using the space for things that won't remind them of the horrible events every day. I am trying to be aware of their continued guilt surrounding these events as I am visually putting together the events and places in my own head. It proved to be a reflective day, for sure.
I got back to the hostel to meet Carrie for dinner, as she was off to Paris in the morning. She had met a girl named Caroline from Australia. We were talking in the common room about my day and I mentioned wanting to go to Dachau to the concentration camp memorial. Caroline said she would join me, then another American, Aaron, overheard us and wanted to come. Sweet, we were now a group of 3.
However, I wasn't sure they would be open, seeing as it was a holiday, All Saints Day. I went up to the reception desk to find out and got caught up in this hilarious conversation with Ozzie, who worked at the hostel. Customer relations and tour extraordinare. It was kind of like talking with someone with ADD on speed. Inuendos flying everywhere. My stomach was hurting I was laughing so much. Point being, yes the memorial was open tomorrow. The 3 of us decided on a meeting time for tomorrow and off to dinner we went. Aaron was meeting up with some other people, so the 3 girls set off. Knowing it was Halloween, we weren't sure what was in store for the night.
The next morning at breakfast we were discussing how to get to Dachau. There was a group train ticket for 2 -5 people. We had 3 and were joking about needing 2 more. Caroline leans over to 2 boys from Scotland sitting next to us, and just like that we had 2 more. They went upstairs to change and brought down another to join us. While waiting for the Scots we recruited another traveler sitting in the lobby. What had started as just me had quickly grown to a group of 7. Sweet!
We navigated the trams and busses, grabbed our audioguides once we arrived, agreed on a meeting time, and off we went. How to describe Dachau - intense, horrific, powerful, emotional. I walked the grounds of the actual camp, standing where thousands of prisoners stood every morning and night for roll call. They had to remain standing until everyone was accounted for, sometimes taking all night. I walked through the barracks where a room meant for 50 people was stuffed with over 400. Towards the back of the site were the religious monuments set up after the war. And finally to the crematorium and gas chamber they claim was never used for mass killings. They modeled the chamber at Aushwitz after the chamber at Dachau. Talk about a moving experience!
The museum was the most informative, yet emotional part of the memorial site. There was so much information inside, you could spend days there. I think one of the interviews from a survivor summed it up well. He was an American soldier that came to view Dachau during the war. He said it was like being on a different world. This couldn't possibly have been our planet. My whole experience at the site seemed so surreal.
During the course of the day, our group of 7 split into 2 groups, one that stayed at Dachau for a while longer, and one that went back to town. I think I spent about 5 hours at the memorial site. I could have stayed longer, but was emotionally spent, and they were closing soon.
We had dinner that night at the famouse beer hall, The Hafbrauhaus. The food was ok, but who comes for the food? It's all about the beer. I know Rick was there enjoying it with me. :) We got back to the hostel and caught up with the others who had been drinking for awhile. A night of booze, drinking games, and an Italian who couldn't speak a word of English but still managed to be the center of the party ensued. I made some new friends, had lots of laughs and little sleep.
My final day in Munich was filled with museums and the Naples vs. Munich soccer match! First on the list, The Residenz where the royalty of Bavaria once lived. Sadly this whole area was so badly damaged in the war, nothing is original. It has all been restored beautifully though. Two art museums were next up, art from the 17th - 20th centuries. A school group was inside, 2nd and 3rd graders, it looked like. The younger kids were gathered around and drawing one of Van Gogh's sunflowers. The older kids were creating their own version of one of Monet's water lillies. Can you imagine being 7 or 8 and standing in front of such famous works of art? Wow!
That night was the soccer match. We knew there was no way we were getting tickets. We had a group of 8, and it was a Champions League match. But we wanted to be part of the action anyway. We headed down to the stadium fairly early, just to check out the scene. We were hoping for a pub nearby with a tv. No such luck, the stadium is way out in the middle of nowhere. Just getting to walk around and mingle with the fans was exciting. We settled for watching the game from a pub around the corner from the hostel. A Champions League game - what a match! The Munich team won! Then it was back to the hostel for more drinks, and some much needed laundry time for me. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night either.
Munich was a blast! An old city with a lot of history, fun new friends, food and drinks, lots of laughter, and plenty of memories! I was kind of sad to be leaving, but Switzerland is waiting.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Fussen, Germany
What a strange night! Here is a story for the books. So I get into town later than I had planned on and it was dark. I am wandering around with my limited street map and my flashlight trying to figure out where I am. This nice couple helped point me in the right direction. I get to the hostel and it is really busy place. There are, what look like high school boys everywhere! School trip? The reception is closed so the "manager" calls the owner. There are 2 locations for the hostel in town and he is at the other location. I talk to the owner and he says he has a place for 1 night, but not 2. I said ok, whatever it would take to get the room for that night.
The room was at the other location, so he said he would come pick me up. Ok?! He comes to get me and he turns out to be really nice. He says he only has a bed in the dorm room. I said that was fine. As we are driving, I can tell he is thinking about something. Then he said he might have something else. There is a bed in the kitchen (in the kitchen I thought, wtf). He said I might like it better, more room, but he would need to be in there at 7:30 to make breakfast. Whatever, I was tired. So I slept in the kitchen on a single bed. I thik it was normally used for staff. But I did lock the door, just in case. Just another story to add to my list od adventures!
In the morning he said he might have a room for my 2nd night, but it was back at the other location, back where I started. However, they were getting ready for vacation and no staff would be there. I was just to leave the key in the door when I left. Crazy! You would never see something like that in the states. So I get my key and left for a day of castle touring.
This was one part of my trip I was really looking forward to. I have had a poster of the Neuschwanstein castle for about 10 years (it is the one Walt Disney based his castles off of), and now I get to see it in person! I just hope it lives up to my expectations. You know when you have built something up so much in your mind, you just hope the real thing lives up to it?
And it did just that! I visited both castles, Hohenschwangau first, then Neuschwanstein. Hohenschwangau was "Mad" King Ludwig's childhood home and gave a lot of history and background information on him, makes sense. Then it was a 40 min hike uphill to Neuschwanstein. Incredible castle! Lavish rooms and antique furniture, lots of jewels and treasures that were gifts from other royalty.
King Ludwig, it seems, was very passionate about fashion and art, and swans. He had an entire rooms dedicated to swans. He wasn't so interested in politics, and as the leader of his country, this posed a problem. Eventually his cabinet declared him insane and unfit to rule (not a far stretch since his brother actually was mentally handicapped) so he would stop spending the country's money on building his castles.
It was a great day and a new castle takes over as favorite. Like there was a doubt in that one. I got back to the hostel and see 2 girls I roomed with in Rothenburg. We grabbed some dinner and swapped traveling stories. They were heading to Munich next as well. Crazy!!
The room was at the other location, so he said he would come pick me up. Ok?! He comes to get me and he turns out to be really nice. He says he only has a bed in the dorm room. I said that was fine. As we are driving, I can tell he is thinking about something. Then he said he might have something else. There is a bed in the kitchen (in the kitchen I thought, wtf). He said I might like it better, more room, but he would need to be in there at 7:30 to make breakfast. Whatever, I was tired. So I slept in the kitchen on a single bed. I thik it was normally used for staff. But I did lock the door, just in case. Just another story to add to my list od adventures!
In the morning he said he might have a room for my 2nd night, but it was back at the other location, back where I started. However, they were getting ready for vacation and no staff would be there. I was just to leave the key in the door when I left. Crazy! You would never see something like that in the states. So I get my key and left for a day of castle touring.
This was one part of my trip I was really looking forward to. I have had a poster of the Neuschwanstein castle for about 10 years (it is the one Walt Disney based his castles off of), and now I get to see it in person! I just hope it lives up to my expectations. You know when you have built something up so much in your mind, you just hope the real thing lives up to it?
And it did just that! I visited both castles, Hohenschwangau first, then Neuschwanstein. Hohenschwangau was "Mad" King Ludwig's childhood home and gave a lot of history and background information on him, makes sense. Then it was a 40 min hike uphill to Neuschwanstein. Incredible castle! Lavish rooms and antique furniture, lots of jewels and treasures that were gifts from other royalty.
King Ludwig, it seems, was very passionate about fashion and art, and swans. He had an entire rooms dedicated to swans. He wasn't so interested in politics, and as the leader of his country, this posed a problem. Eventually his cabinet declared him insane and unfit to rule (not a far stretch since his brother actually was mentally handicapped) so he would stop spending the country's money on building his castles.
It was a great day and a new castle takes over as favorite. Like there was a doubt in that one. I got back to the hostel and see 2 girls I roomed with in Rothenburg. We grabbed some dinner and swapped traveling stories. They were heading to Munich next as well. Crazy!!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Salzburg, Austria
Home to The Sound of Music and Mozart. The crazies were sure out today, was it a full moon or something? The first crazy was a woman on the small train out of Hallstatt. I was sitting on the train reading my book, when I hear this commotion in the next car up. This older woman was screaming at someone, and I mean really screaming. Of course, it was all in German, so I have no idea what she was mad about. People were getting out of their seats to peer down the aisle to see what was going on. Then I guess she was finished. She gathered all her belongings and started heading into the car I was in. And where does she decide to sit? You got it, right across from me. It was one of those seats that face each other. Mind you, she is still huffing and puffing and muttering things in German. The woman across the aisle and I are exchanging looks. She seems very sympathetic. I put away my tablet and get ready to bolt if she starts in on me (it's not easy to switch seats with a 25 lb pack). She finally starts to calm herself down, but I didn't really look at her for the rest of the trip.
Then I board the train to Salzburg. It's one of those where there are several different cabins in each car. I settled down into my cabin and this guy asks if he can join me. Sure, why not? He introduces himself and asks if I am Christian. I notice the Bible in his hand and think, here we go again. I politely respond that I am not and he spends the rest of the hour long ride preaching to me with quotes from the bible. He wanted to me to become a Christian and say I believed in Jesus right there in the train car. I let him talk, partly because I was being nice, and partly because I believe in respecting others beliefs even when they don't match mine. Obviously, he does not share that belief! He really was not getting the point that he was not going to change my mind.
At one point I interjected with the fact that in America I have the right to my own religious beliefs. That's what my country was founded on. People fled to America for religious freedom, and I am proud to have that right. I told him he was not going to change my beliefs. He got quiet for a min, but then started in again.
Then he pushed another button. He asked why was I letting the devil win, because I was not married and didn't have children. I wasn't holding back this time! I told him I was very happy with my life and I was not going to get married just because someone said I needed to. I would get married when I was ready and had found the right person. I told him I was a teacher and had 20 new kids come into my life each year that I cared about as if they were my own. I did know the joy of having children in my life. He had the gall to say teaching didn't count in that way because when I was 80 or 90 years old, who was I going to have to take care of me? I was getting very pissed off by then and didn't want to turn into the crazy lady from the before, so I just told him we would disagree on that one.
He told me God had brought him into my life today to become a Christian. I wanted to tell him that if God really brought him into my life that day, then God knew me, and knew this was SOOO NOT the way to change my mind, but I held my tongue. I was done with the crazies for the night.
Onto Salzburg itself. . . Many of the old towns I have been to have been tight fitting. Narrow streets, buildings built high, squares for traffic are roundabouts. Salzburg is very different. Everything is so spread out - the streets are wider and there is so much space in the square, but traffic doesn't seem to have a real direction. I can just imagine Salzburg in the middle of the summer with the crowds taking over the space making it disappear.
I toured Mozart's house. Lots of history about the man that I know was lost on the non-musical part of me. Sorry to all my musician friends out there. I know you would have gotten more out of it than I did. It was neat to see all the old instruments he had, and some of his original compositions. Well worth it, I just wish I had more of a background on Motzart.
I also went on The Sound of Music tour. I was really skeptical at first, but it turned out to be really fun, and with a great group of people! I learned a lot about the history of Salzburg. Then I was able to put parts of the movie to places in town, like the steps where they sing, "Doe, a deer". The tour also took us out of town to places where the movie was filmed. The guide, RoseMaria, was funny and very helpful. She said that in Salzburg the only people who really knew about the movie were those in the tourist industry. She said that her parents, like many others around Germany and Ausrtia, did not show the movie to their kids. They said it portrayed the Natzies as being too nice. It was not a realistic picture of what it was really like, so they refused to show the movie to their children. So many of the locals are not even phased by all the tourists taking over their town. Motzart tended to be a bigger deal than The Sound of Music.
Then I board the train to Salzburg. It's one of those where there are several different cabins in each car. I settled down into my cabin and this guy asks if he can join me. Sure, why not? He introduces himself and asks if I am Christian. I notice the Bible in his hand and think, here we go again. I politely respond that I am not and he spends the rest of the hour long ride preaching to me with quotes from the bible. He wanted to me to become a Christian and say I believed in Jesus right there in the train car. I let him talk, partly because I was being nice, and partly because I believe in respecting others beliefs even when they don't match mine. Obviously, he does not share that belief! He really was not getting the point that he was not going to change my mind.
At one point I interjected with the fact that in America I have the right to my own religious beliefs. That's what my country was founded on. People fled to America for religious freedom, and I am proud to have that right. I told him he was not going to change my beliefs. He got quiet for a min, but then started in again.
Then he pushed another button. He asked why was I letting the devil win, because I was not married and didn't have children. I wasn't holding back this time! I told him I was very happy with my life and I was not going to get married just because someone said I needed to. I would get married when I was ready and had found the right person. I told him I was a teacher and had 20 new kids come into my life each year that I cared about as if they were my own. I did know the joy of having children in my life. He had the gall to say teaching didn't count in that way because when I was 80 or 90 years old, who was I going to have to take care of me? I was getting very pissed off by then and didn't want to turn into the crazy lady from the before, so I just told him we would disagree on that one.
He told me God had brought him into my life today to become a Christian. I wanted to tell him that if God really brought him into my life that day, then God knew me, and knew this was SOOO NOT the way to change my mind, but I held my tongue. I was done with the crazies for the night.
Onto Salzburg itself. . . Many of the old towns I have been to have been tight fitting. Narrow streets, buildings built high, squares for traffic are roundabouts. Salzburg is very different. Everything is so spread out - the streets are wider and there is so much space in the square, but traffic doesn't seem to have a real direction. I can just imagine Salzburg in the middle of the summer with the crowds taking over the space making it disappear.
I toured Mozart's house. Lots of history about the man that I know was lost on the non-musical part of me. Sorry to all my musician friends out there. I know you would have gotten more out of it than I did. It was neat to see all the old instruments he had, and some of his original compositions. Well worth it, I just wish I had more of a background on Motzart.
I also went on The Sound of Music tour. I was really skeptical at first, but it turned out to be really fun, and with a great group of people! I learned a lot about the history of Salzburg. Then I was able to put parts of the movie to places in town, like the steps where they sing, "Doe, a deer". The tour also took us out of town to places where the movie was filmed. The guide, RoseMaria, was funny and very helpful. She said that in Salzburg the only people who really knew about the movie were those in the tourist industry. She said that her parents, like many others around Germany and Ausrtia, did not show the movie to their kids. They said it portrayed the Natzies as being too nice. It was not a realistic picture of what it was really like, so they refused to show the movie to their children. So many of the locals are not even phased by all the tourists taking over their town. Motzart tended to be a bigger deal than The Sound of Music.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Halstatt, Austria
Sorry Belgium, but you just got bumped off the number 1 spot for favorite country. Austria has now taken that spot. Austria is absolutely beautiful, Halstatt in particular. The town sits on the edge of a huge lake. The mountains seem to grow right from the middle of the lake. The fall colors are everywhere! Leaves are changing and falling creating a colorful blanket on the ground. In Colorado it seems like the leaves changing is so short. One day the trees are green and the next time you turn around they are already on the ground, or covered in snow. I have been enjoying the fall colors over here for the past two weeks, and it looks like I will get several more days to enjoy them.
There is not a lot to see or do in this small town, you are here just to sit, relax, and enjoy the views. However, the clouds and rain have begun, so that makes it a bit difficult.
I sat down to dinner at the hotel restaurant (evidently tomorrow is a holiday in Austria and many places are booked; I found out later the hostel was closed for the holiday). I had just ordered and the couple next to me asked if I wanted to join them. Here is where the world gets small. Her name is Kitty, and his is George. They are from Austin, Texas, but have a niece that is a phd student at CSU In Ft. Collins! Crazy.
The next day I went to my first salt mine. It was a pretty cool experience even if it is all guided and you can't do much. They outfit you in some "miner's clothes" and you walk a long way into the salt mine.The guide spoke both German and English and translated the whole tour. There was a video explaining the process and a laser show explaining the history of salt mining. You do get to slide down two wooden shoots during the tour. On one of them, they even take your picture and clock how fast you were going. Of course, I just had to buy the picture at the end of the tour, I mean when else am I going to get a picture of myself in goofy clothes sliding down a piece of wood?
Kitty and George were also on the tour and they introduced me to Korinna (they had met at breakfast). Korinna is from Austrailia and has been traveling since August. We talked quite a bit about our travels and such. She has traveled in Singapore, Hungary, London, and Germany on her trip.
Seeing as the hostel was closed and I really didn't want to spend another 80 euros for another night at the hotel (there are so many better ways to spend my cash), I left for Salzburg a little early.
There is not a lot to see or do in this small town, you are here just to sit, relax, and enjoy the views. However, the clouds and rain have begun, so that makes it a bit difficult.
I sat down to dinner at the hotel restaurant (evidently tomorrow is a holiday in Austria and many places are booked; I found out later the hostel was closed for the holiday). I had just ordered and the couple next to me asked if I wanted to join them. Here is where the world gets small. Her name is Kitty, and his is George. They are from Austin, Texas, but have a niece that is a phd student at CSU In Ft. Collins! Crazy.
The next day I went to my first salt mine. It was a pretty cool experience even if it is all guided and you can't do much. They outfit you in some "miner's clothes" and you walk a long way into the salt mine.The guide spoke both German and English and translated the whole tour. There was a video explaining the process and a laser show explaining the history of salt mining. You do get to slide down two wooden shoots during the tour. On one of them, they even take your picture and clock how fast you were going. Of course, I just had to buy the picture at the end of the tour, I mean when else am I going to get a picture of myself in goofy clothes sliding down a piece of wood?
Kitty and George were also on the tour and they introduced me to Korinna (they had met at breakfast). Korinna is from Austrailia and has been traveling since August. We talked quite a bit about our travels and such. She has traveled in Singapore, Hungary, London, and Germany on her trip.
Seeing as the hostel was closed and I really didn't want to spend another 80 euros for another night at the hotel (there are so many better ways to spend my cash), I left for Salzburg a little early.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Wurzburg, Germany
For as much time as I have spent here, I don't feel like I have done much. I did use the free wifi to get caught up on my blogs, as you can see. And I did laundry, which is turning out to be a real process with a very old machine that is taking Forever!
I did tour the main part of the town. The Palace Residence was really cool, but I wasn't allowed to take any pictures. I only got to view about 20 rooms in this massive building. It makes me wonder what all the rooms that are not open to the public look like.
Then I walked up to the fortress on the hill above the town. But seeing as it is a Monday, the museum and other sights up there were closed. I did get to walk around and got a great view of the town. A piece of history about Wurzburg. The main bridge used to be the only entrance into town, not that big a deal, right? Well, it was this way until the 1960's in Wurzburg! There would be a big backup of traffic trying to get into town.
There is a restaurant/bar right on the bridge. It used to be the old mill. They have like a take out window where you can buy a glass of wine and enjoy it on the bridge. Open alcohol containers, you betcha. A geat way to pass some time on a chilly, but sunny Sunday afternoon!
I did tour the main part of the town. The Palace Residence was really cool, but I wasn't allowed to take any pictures. I only got to view about 20 rooms in this massive building. It makes me wonder what all the rooms that are not open to the public look like.
Then I walked up to the fortress on the hill above the town. But seeing as it is a Monday, the museum and other sights up there were closed. I did get to walk around and got a great view of the town. A piece of history about Wurzburg. The main bridge used to be the only entrance into town, not that big a deal, right? Well, it was this way until the 1960's in Wurzburg! There would be a big backup of traffic trying to get into town.
There is a restaurant/bar right on the bridge. It used to be the old mill. They have like a take out window where you can buy a glass of wine and enjoy it on the bridge. Open alcohol containers, you betcha. A geat way to pass some time on a chilly, but sunny Sunday afternoon!
Favorites, part 1
After 2 weeks of traveling, these are my favorites thus far:
country - Belgium
town - Baden Baden
walk - 1st, to Burg Eltz, 2nd, thru vineyards between Riquewihr and Kaysersberg
castle - Burg Eltz
meal - chicken and noodles with Reisling sauce
museum - Museum of Crime and Punishment in Rothenburg
hotel/hostel - Hotel am Markt in Baden Baden
cathedral - The Gothic Dom in Koln, Germany
country I want to come back to - Belgium
Least favorites:
meal - German bratwurst
hotel/hostel - Hotel Primo Colmar, France
country - Belgium
town - Baden Baden
walk - 1st, to Burg Eltz, 2nd, thru vineyards between Riquewihr and Kaysersberg
castle - Burg Eltz
meal - chicken and noodles with Reisling sauce
museum - Museum of Crime and Punishment in Rothenburg
hotel/hostel - Hotel am Markt in Baden Baden
cathedral - The Gothic Dom in Koln, Germany
country I want to come back to - Belgium
Least favorites:
meal - German bratwurst
hotel/hostel - Hotel Primo Colmar, France
People
Overall the people over here are really nice. Most do speak at least some English. Those in the touist industry are fluent and readily speak English for me. Many locals do not speak English. One elderly woman outside of Kaysersberg said something to me in German while we were walking through the vineyards. When I responded with "English?" she threw her hands up in the air and made this sound as if to say, oh nevermind, and kept walking.
When I have stayed in rooms at hostels with other people in them (a lot of rooms have just been me), the people I'm staying with do speak English, or at least have a good understanding of it.
But, Everybody here smokes. I knew a lot of Europeans smoked, but it is kind of hard to find someone who doesn't. You can't smoke inside any building, but you can smoke by standing in the doorway. You can't smoke inside the train station, but the outside platform is fair game. And many people roll their own cigarettes. The first time I saw it was by a girl about my age on a bus in Amsterdam, so I wasn't exactly sure what she was rolling. But I have seen it several times since, by many different people.
Since everyone here speaks German, and I don't know really any German, I have been reluctant to sit down with people I don't know and just start talking. When I hear people speaking English I tend to be more open to popping in to their conversation.
I am finding German to be a hard language to try and learn. I am relying more on my English here.
When I have stayed in rooms at hostels with other people in them (a lot of rooms have just been me), the people I'm staying with do speak English, or at least have a good understanding of it.
But, Everybody here smokes. I knew a lot of Europeans smoked, but it is kind of hard to find someone who doesn't. You can't smoke inside any building, but you can smoke by standing in the doorway. You can't smoke inside the train station, but the outside platform is fair game. And many people roll their own cigarettes. The first time I saw it was by a girl about my age on a bus in Amsterdam, so I wasn't exactly sure what she was rolling. But I have seen it several times since, by many different people.
Since everyone here speaks German, and I don't know really any German, I have been reluctant to sit down with people I don't know and just start talking. When I hear people speaking English I tend to be more open to popping in to their conversation.
I am finding German to be a hard language to try and learn. I am relying more on my English here.
food
So far, I have learned I am not a fan of German food. I tried a real German bratwurst - I'll stick with the American version, thank you. The fries here are better than Belgium, no mayo. But they do not serve them with any kind of condiment, so they tend to be very dry. I had dinner at the hostel the other night, bratwurst or frankfooter. I chose the hot dog. It was one of those really long ones, with no bun. They do not serve their brats or dogs with any sort of bun. I go around the corner and low and behold, there is a bowl of ketchup! The first I have seen in Germany.
But the pretzels are really good. They are the big fat ones. I have had several since I have been here. They make a good snack or supplement to a meal I'm not fond of.
I don't know enough German to feel confident ordering off a completely German menu. Most of the places I have been to have English translations for their dishes. There was this one night in Germany when I wasn't having any luck finding a restaurant with an English menu. I did spot a Mexican food place. I looked at their menu (posted outside) and knew enough Spanish to understand the title of the dish, even if I couldn't understand the German explanations. I thought I would take a chance. I ordered the chicken fajitas. I figured if there was anything weird on the plate, I just wouldn't put it in my tortilla. Boy, was I wrong. Normally everything is separated on your dish, the rice, the beans, then the chicken and veggies. Not this time. The white rice, corn mixture, and chicken were all covered in this tomato paste salsa. The chicken was very heavily spiced, not hot spice, but like Ethiopian spices. I tried to pick my way under the tomato paste salsa, but it was difficult. Let's just say, it was a night I found a pretzle stand afterwards. The pizza here is pretty good, and I am stocking up on Haribo gummy bears. It took me a week to find them here, but I did. :)
But the pretzels are really good. They are the big fat ones. I have had several since I have been here. They make a good snack or supplement to a meal I'm not fond of.
I don't know enough German to feel confident ordering off a completely German menu. Most of the places I have been to have English translations for their dishes. There was this one night in Germany when I wasn't having any luck finding a restaurant with an English menu. I did spot a Mexican food place. I looked at their menu (posted outside) and knew enough Spanish to understand the title of the dish, even if I couldn't understand the German explanations. I thought I would take a chance. I ordered the chicken fajitas. I figured if there was anything weird on the plate, I just wouldn't put it in my tortilla. Boy, was I wrong. Normally everything is separated on your dish, the rice, the beans, then the chicken and veggies. Not this time. The white rice, corn mixture, and chicken were all covered in this tomato paste salsa. The chicken was very heavily spiced, not hot spice, but like Ethiopian spices. I tried to pick my way under the tomato paste salsa, but it was difficult. Let's just say, it was a night I found a pretzle stand afterwards. The pizza here is pretty good, and I am stocking up on Haribo gummy bears. It took me a week to find them here, but I did. :)
transportation
Oh, where to start? I am finally figuring out how to decipher the train and bus schedules in languages I don't know. I am finding most people working at train stations (ticket counters and information stations) speak English. Busses are a hit and miss. I am at least learning the name for bus station and train station.
I was on a bus in France and trying to say the word for train station - GARE. Having just spent time in Germany, I found I was trying to put a German accent on the word and was getting nowhere with the driver, who did not speak English. I finally had to resort to holding up my arm like I was pulling a cord and said choo choo. She got it! Thank goodness for universal signs and sounds.
Many of the smaller train stations have only a few tracks and their train schedule is posted (including the platform number), so you just wait by your track/platform for your train. Many of the bigger stations, don't have their schedules posted. They keep you in the big waiting area. There is a big board with all the departing train info. 20 mins. before your scheduled departure, the platform number will come up and you can go through the door to your platform.
I am finding that I can recognize by sight the name of the town or stop I want, but have absolutely no idea how to say it. And being unfamiliar with the area, I have no idea what the station or stop should look like, so I am constantly checking the board or sign where it is posted. Yes, I still very much feel like a tourist, but I know that is to be expected when you are going from place to place so quickly.
I was on a bus in France and trying to say the word for train station - GARE. Having just spent time in Germany, I found I was trying to put a German accent on the word and was getting nowhere with the driver, who did not speak English. I finally had to resort to holding up my arm like I was pulling a cord and said choo choo. She got it! Thank goodness for universal signs and sounds.
Many of the smaller train stations have only a few tracks and their train schedule is posted (including the platform number), so you just wait by your track/platform for your train. Many of the bigger stations, don't have their schedules posted. They keep you in the big waiting area. There is a big board with all the departing train info. 20 mins. before your scheduled departure, the platform number will come up and you can go through the door to your platform.
I am finding that I can recognize by sight the name of the town or stop I want, but have absolutely no idea how to say it. And being unfamiliar with the area, I have no idea what the station or stop should look like, so I am constantly checking the board or sign where it is posted. Yes, I still very much feel like a tourist, but I know that is to be expected when you are going from place to place so quickly.
Rotenberg ob de Tauber
I feel like I have stepped back in time to the Middle Ages. And, of course, there is the Kathe Wolfarht Christmas Market. Yay! Time to do some shopping.
On my first night I took the night watchman's tour. He was funny, informative, and sarcastic. What a wonderful way to learn a bit about the town, and have some laughs while doing it. And since it was an English tour, I got to meet some other Americans as well. The night was perfect for this kind of tour-classic end of October weather, cold and foggy. It really gave the tour an extra medival feel.
There are some great walking paths that run down from the town and go through the countryside and vineyards. The castle gardens are beautiful. Lots of benches in the sun, which is something I was searchimg for in this chilly fall weather. I spent a lot of time in these gardens warming in the sun and journaling. I'm listening to the chiming bells from the church. I assume that is the call for the beginning of service. It is a Sunday, afterall.
Kathe Wolfarht actually has 3 stores in this town, all within a block of each other. I only made it into two of them. It was a little overwhelming. I did find a few things to add to my holiday collection. I just hope they all arrive in one piece.
I am really enjoying tourist towns in the shoulder season (the tail end of the tourist season). No crowds, no lines, it's peaceful and quiet most of the time. What a great time to travel!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Baden Baden, Germany
What a beautiful town! There are lots of pedestrian friendly squares, gardens, and wooded areas up the hill - it kind of reminds me of Sudden Valley in Washington. My hotel is right next to the Catholic cathedral and I woke up to the chiming church bells.
I spent the first evening wandering around a bit, I seem to be doing a lot of that. The people are friendly and will happily speak English when they realize I don't speak any German.
The next afternoon I went to a traditional Roman-Irish bath. You go through 15 stations emercing yourself in the supposedly medicinal waters. Of course, you are doing this all in the nude. Talk about stepping outside of one's comfort zone, but as the saying goes, when in Rome . . .
I went on a day where the men and women were basically separated (same steps, but on opposite sides, with a comingled area in the center.The hardest part was stepping out of the changing room. I had a brief moment of anxiety, was I really going to do this? But it quickly passed and I got over it. Europe really does have a different take on nudity than the states. There was no oogling or weirdness at all.
They started you off with a warm air room; I really liked this one, then a hot air room, then a soap scrub down. This was kind of rough, but worth it. The lady doing it said I would have very nice skin afterwards. Then it was off to the hot mineral steam room, then a dip in the warm water pool, then the cool water pool (the comingled one), luckily there were only females in there with me. Then a quick trip in the tepid water pool, to be followed with the cold water plunge, then back to the tepid pool, which now feels so much warmer. They say you need to do the cold water plunge 3 times because it is good for the heart. I don't know about that, but I did it 3 times anyway. Next was a hot shower, then a cream lotion rubdown and finish with 30 mins wrapped in a warm blanket in the quiet room.
I came out totally relaxed and would Love to see one of these in the states, but I know it would never be allowed. I met a really nice German woman who spoke English and she helped explain the whole process to me. Then I ran into another American woman, from D.C. there. Who would have thought the first place I would meet others to talk to would be in the bath?
Later that evening, as I was journaling in the lounge area of the hotel, I met a couple from Texas. They were fellow Rick Steves readers. We talked for quite a bit about traveling. It was nice to finally start to meet some other travelers that also speak English.
I spent the first evening wandering around a bit, I seem to be doing a lot of that. The people are friendly and will happily speak English when they realize I don't speak any German.
The next afternoon I went to a traditional Roman-Irish bath. You go through 15 stations emercing yourself in the supposedly medicinal waters. Of course, you are doing this all in the nude. Talk about stepping outside of one's comfort zone, but as the saying goes, when in Rome . . .
I went on a day where the men and women were basically separated (same steps, but on opposite sides, with a comingled area in the center.The hardest part was stepping out of the changing room. I had a brief moment of anxiety, was I really going to do this? But it quickly passed and I got over it. Europe really does have a different take on nudity than the states. There was no oogling or weirdness at all.
They started you off with a warm air room; I really liked this one, then a hot air room, then a soap scrub down. This was kind of rough, but worth it. The lady doing it said I would have very nice skin afterwards. Then it was off to the hot mineral steam room, then a dip in the warm water pool, then the cool water pool (the comingled one), luckily there were only females in there with me. Then a quick trip in the tepid water pool, to be followed with the cold water plunge, then back to the tepid pool, which now feels so much warmer. They say you need to do the cold water plunge 3 times because it is good for the heart. I don't know about that, but I did it 3 times anyway. Next was a hot shower, then a cream lotion rubdown and finish with 30 mins wrapped in a warm blanket in the quiet room.
I came out totally relaxed and would Love to see one of these in the states, but I know it would never be allowed. I met a really nice German woman who spoke English and she helped explain the whole process to me. Then I ran into another American woman, from D.C. there. Who would have thought the first place I would meet others to talk to would be in the bath?
Later that evening, as I was journaling in the lounge area of the hotel, I met a couple from Texas. They were fellow Rick Steves readers. We talked for quite a bit about traveling. It was nice to finally start to meet some other travelers that also speak English.
Colmar, France and The Route de Vin - The Wine Road
Today I hit 2 countries in one day - Luxembourg and France. I was in Luxembourg for a very short time, then it was off to Colmar. None of the streets in Colmar are straight! It took what seemed like forever to find the TI to get a map, and then the map wasn't any better than the one I already had via Rick Steves. I finally found the hotel and that is a real stretch of the word. I stayed in my first really scuzzy place. It was so bad I refused to take a shower, and I perfected the squat so you don't touch Anything pee! But they had free wifi, so I made the best of it.
Colmar itself is a very cute little town with lots of pedestrian areas and cobbled streets everywhere. I finally just put away the map and accepted the fact that I would get lost. That first evening I wandered just to wander.
I went to an Alastian place recommended by RS and LOVED it! I got the chicken in Reisling sauce with homemade noodles. It reminded me of Grandmommie's homemade chicken and noodles. (I want to get the receipe from her even if I never have time to make the whole thing from scratch.) My best meal so far.
Route de Vin
I started with the very small and quaint village of Riquewihr. The bus from Colmar dropped me off early, like 8 am, it was either that or 11 am, which would not have given me enough time. It was so early the majority of the town wasn't even out and about yet. The stores were all closed, so I just wandered and became acquainted with this really cute village.
I went to my first real wine tasting. What a great experience. The host spoke English, a great plus and suggested some really great wines. I knew the Alsace region was best known for it's white wines and I got to taste why. I am mormally not a white wine person, but I actually found a couple I liked. I bought 2 bottles to take with me and enjoy along the way.
Then I took this incredible walk from Riquewhir to Kaysersberg. Two hours through picturesque vineyards; peaceful, reflective, zen, and absolutely beautiful! I spent a few hours in Kaysersberg before catching the bus back to Colmar. I tried to not let the scuzzy hotel get in the way of my otherwise amazing day.
The next day was cold, dreary, and raining. Blah! So, I hit the museum, a great way to spend a rainy morning. I was set to travel to Strasbourg in the afternoon and tour the city, pretty hard to do in the rain. I figured I would play it by ear and see what the weather was like when I got there. Low and behold, it stopped raining, for the most part. I decided to chance it and see the cathedral and at least some of the town. On my way, it started raining once again, so I had to buy an umbrella. And mom said I shouldn't pack mine because I wouldn't really need it, think again. :) So now I am carrying around an umbrella and ready for the next time it rains.
Colmar itself is a very cute little town with lots of pedestrian areas and cobbled streets everywhere. I finally just put away the map and accepted the fact that I would get lost. That first evening I wandered just to wander.
I went to an Alastian place recommended by RS and LOVED it! I got the chicken in Reisling sauce with homemade noodles. It reminded me of Grandmommie's homemade chicken and noodles. (I want to get the receipe from her even if I never have time to make the whole thing from scratch.) My best meal so far.
Route de Vin
I started with the very small and quaint village of Riquewihr. The bus from Colmar dropped me off early, like 8 am, it was either that or 11 am, which would not have given me enough time. It was so early the majority of the town wasn't even out and about yet. The stores were all closed, so I just wandered and became acquainted with this really cute village.
I went to my first real wine tasting. What a great experience. The host spoke English, a great plus and suggested some really great wines. I knew the Alsace region was best known for it's white wines and I got to taste why. I am mormally not a white wine person, but I actually found a couple I liked. I bought 2 bottles to take with me and enjoy along the way.
Then I took this incredible walk from Riquewhir to Kaysersberg. Two hours through picturesque vineyards; peaceful, reflective, zen, and absolutely beautiful! I spent a few hours in Kaysersberg before catching the bus back to Colmar. I tried to not let the scuzzy hotel get in the way of my otherwise amazing day.
The next day was cold, dreary, and raining. Blah! So, I hit the museum, a great way to spend a rainy morning. I was set to travel to Strasbourg in the afternoon and tour the city, pretty hard to do in the rain. I figured I would play it by ear and see what the weather was like when I got there. Low and behold, it stopped raining, for the most part. I decided to chance it and see the cathedral and at least some of the town. On my way, it started raining once again, so I had to buy an umbrella. And mom said I shouldn't pack mine because I wouldn't really need it, think again. :) So now I am carrying around an umbrella and ready for the next time it rains.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Burg Eltz castle - Germany
I am so glad Rick Steves wrote such an amzing review on this castle because it made me want to come! And it was really off the beaten path. I had to take a small train then walk 2 hours just to get there. But it was well worth the trip! The walk was through a wooded forest with a little stream. It made me feel like I was in a fairy tale just waiting for the wood nymphs and fairies to come out and greet me. There was something almost magical about the journey.
The castle itself was amazing! It was huge - 80 rooms. 3 different families lived here at one time. They each had their own section and there was a common room for important meetings. I was lucky to get an English tour of the castle which really helped. So far, this has been my favorite castle I have visited.
I did try my first German bratwurst. I have to say, I wasn't a fan. So far, the German food isn't my favorite so to speak, which is a little weird seeing as I am mostly German.
The hostel I stayed in was really big, but once again, I had a room all to myself. So much for meeting all kinds of new travelers along the way. This was another family oriented hostel, so even at the meals or in the lounge area it was families all sitting together speaking German, or course. Not knowing much German at all, it is hard to try to join in their conversation.
I left to catch a 7:30 am train, not too early by my standards, but found the reception desk at the hostel wasn't even staffed until 8 am. The housekeeping staff I found spoke only German, which didn't help, so I ended up just leaving the key and some cash on the desk. I wasn't sure what else I could do.
The castle itself was amazing! It was huge - 80 rooms. 3 different families lived here at one time. They each had their own section and there was a common room for important meetings. I was lucky to get an English tour of the castle which really helped. So far, this has been my favorite castle I have visited.
I did try my first German bratwurst. I have to say, I wasn't a fan. So far, the German food isn't my favorite so to speak, which is a little weird seeing as I am mostly German.
The hostel I stayed in was really big, but once again, I had a room all to myself. So much for meeting all kinds of new travelers along the way. This was another family oriented hostel, so even at the meals or in the lounge area it was families all sitting together speaking German, or course. Not knowing much German at all, it is hard to try to join in their conversation.
I left to catch a 7:30 am train, not too early by my standards, but found the reception desk at the hostel wasn't even staffed until 8 am. The housekeeping staff I found spoke only German, which didn't help, so I ended up just leaving the key and some cash on the desk. I wasn't sure what else I could do.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Germany-Koln and Bacharach
I had my first experience with getting on the wrong train! I really hope it is my last as well; it wasn't much fun at all. But, the train was at least going in the right direction, so that's a good thing. Eventually, I ended up being able to get where I had wanted to go, which is another good thing. It was also a day I was using my railpass so all my train travel was included.
I started off the day by going to Koln (or Colonge to us English speaking people) for a quick stop before continuing on. The cathedral, the reason so many people visit, was pretty amazing, and right outside the train station, a plus.
I was later than I wanted getting back to the station, mistake one. There was a train already at the platform I wanted and I assumed it was the train I needed, mistake two. I tried asking someone, but they only spoke German, so that didn't work out. It turned out to be regional train, not the faster one. It was going in the same direction, just not as far. Then the town I wanted apparently had 3 stations with very similar names. I got off on the wrong one and had to wait for the next train to take me to the right station. I get on the train and realize this one has an actual list of its stops (i reaaly like this feature, by the way) and it will actually take me to the town I want (or so I think).
I get off the train and get the time for my boat cruise down the Rhine. Life seems to be good now. Use my map from Rick Steves to find the road up to the castle (I have some time to kill before my boat arrives). Walking, walking, walking, all uphill and not finding the top. Cars are looking at me funny. Come to find out later, I am on the other side of the Rhine from where I want to be, in a very similarly named town, and the road I am walking on is the highway. No wonder cars were looking at me funny!
I get on the boat and enjoy my hour long cruise down the river to Bacharach. Once there, I try to find the flatter route up to the castle, which is also the hostel, so cool. But, no luck. I have to backtrack and take the steep trail, with my pack and all. Over 500 stairs later, I finally get to the castle. I am trying to wipe the sweat off me before I go in, and find out from the receptionist they are full! The only thing they have left is a mattress on the floor in the seminar room. I REALLY don't want to go back down 500 stairs to find another place, so I take it. It wasn't the best night's sleep, but it was something.
I got a Spectcular view the next morning - I will try to post a picture on fb later, I actually took one with the tablet. I walked back into town to find other accomodations for the evening, then spent a very relaxing, quiet day walking the streets in Bacharach and sitting in the park right on the Rhine. A much better ending than beginning, I must say!
I started off the day by going to Koln (or Colonge to us English speaking people) for a quick stop before continuing on. The cathedral, the reason so many people visit, was pretty amazing, and right outside the train station, a plus.
I was later than I wanted getting back to the station, mistake one. There was a train already at the platform I wanted and I assumed it was the train I needed, mistake two. I tried asking someone, but they only spoke German, so that didn't work out. It turned out to be regional train, not the faster one. It was going in the same direction, just not as far. Then the town I wanted apparently had 3 stations with very similar names. I got off on the wrong one and had to wait for the next train to take me to the right station. I get on the train and realize this one has an actual list of its stops (i reaaly like this feature, by the way) and it will actually take me to the town I want (or so I think).
I get off the train and get the time for my boat cruise down the Rhine. Life seems to be good now. Use my map from Rick Steves to find the road up to the castle (I have some time to kill before my boat arrives). Walking, walking, walking, all uphill and not finding the top. Cars are looking at me funny. Come to find out later, I am on the other side of the Rhine from where I want to be, in a very similarly named town, and the road I am walking on is the highway. No wonder cars were looking at me funny!
I get on the boat and enjoy my hour long cruise down the river to Bacharach. Once there, I try to find the flatter route up to the castle, which is also the hostel, so cool. But, no luck. I have to backtrack and take the steep trail, with my pack and all. Over 500 stairs later, I finally get to the castle. I am trying to wipe the sweat off me before I go in, and find out from the receptionist they are full! The only thing they have left is a mattress on the floor in the seminar room. I REALLY don't want to go back down 500 stairs to find another place, so I take it. It wasn't the best night's sleep, but it was something.
I got a Spectcular view the next morning - I will try to post a picture on fb later, I actually took one with the tablet. I walked back into town to find other accomodations for the evening, then spent a very relaxing, quiet day walking the streets in Bacharach and sitting in the park right on the Rhine. A much better ending than beginning, I must say!
Amsterdam
So I tried to download my pictures last night while I had Wifi access and discovered my cable from the camera to the computer wouldn't fit. Bummer! I neded an adapter to make it fit. Luckily, there was an Apple store right across the street from my hotel in Amsterdam. Apple makes an adapter, but it only works on Apple products, not my tablet. The guy there tracks down info on where I can find one for the tablet, and off I go in search of the place. I finally find the place and am told they only have the adapter for the ipad. Now what am I going to do? As I was walking back to the main square I see a store with a tablet in the window. I go in and discover the places I thought were usb ports are actually the speakers. There are no usb ports on my tablet, apparently. Long story to say that my computer will not connect to my camera which means no downloading of pictures until I can figure out another way. Any techies out there? (I did discover how to take pictures with the tablet, so I should have some coming soon.)
Anyway, on to other parts of Amsterdam. I wasn't there for too long, and with all the looking for the right cords, there wasn't much time for a lot else. I did get to Anne Frank's house, which is what I really wanted. Being at the house where she and her family were hidden for so long brings a new reality to the story I had read so long ago. It makes me want to see it again.
I did find a little Italian restaurant. I was in the mood for some pasta. While I was eating this little kitten comes down from upstairs and is wondering around the restaurant. I don't know about you, but that seems a little unsanitary to me. It made me think twice about taking another bite of my so-called chicken pasta.
So far, the people seem nice and helpful, and most everyone speaks at least a little English.
Anyway, on to other parts of Amsterdam. I wasn't there for too long, and with all the looking for the right cords, there wasn't much time for a lot else. I did get to Anne Frank's house, which is what I really wanted. Being at the house where she and her family were hidden for so long brings a new reality to the story I had read so long ago. It makes me want to see it again.
I did find a little Italian restaurant. I was in the mood for some pasta. While I was eating this little kitten comes down from upstairs and is wondering around the restaurant. I don't know about you, but that seems a little unsanitary to me. It made me think twice about taking another bite of my so-called chicken pasta.
So far, the people seem nice and helpful, and most everyone speaks at least a little English.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Belgium
The day started off rainy and kind of blah, weather wise. I persevered anyway. Lots of walking the streets and getting somewhat lost, but that's ok, since that is what I am here for anyway. I went back to the hostel for my siesta :) and woke up to sunny skies. Yay! I went back to the parks that I skipped b/c of the weather.
I found loads of chocolate shops. The truffles are Amazing! The fries (which they are supposed to be known for as well) were ok. I missed my ketchup, mayo is just not supposed to go on fries.
I'm getting more comfortable finding my way around, especially after sightseeing in a place for the day.
Tomorrow is Amsterdam!
I found loads of chocolate shops. The truffles are Amazing! The fries (which they are supposed to be known for as well) were ok. I missed my ketchup, mayo is just not supposed to go on fries.
I'm getting more comfortable finding my way around, especially after sightseeing in a place for the day.
Tomorrow is Amsterdam!
London
Whew! My first day of traveling is done. I am so glad I started this journey in an English speaking and written language. It was hard enough just to get acclimated to my new surroundings, I can't imagine what it would have been like if I had to juggle a new language as well. I found myself relying on being able to read the signs to get to where I needed to go. Even with that, I got lost. :-)
I sure did a lot of walking today, and it wasn't even a full sightseeing day. I know eventually I will get used to the weight of my pack, but for now, it is still heavy.
The weather in London was just how I thought it would be, cloudy and a bit breezy, typical London weather. With all the walking I was doing, it didn't take me long to warm up.
I got into Heathrow about 10 this morning. After going through customs, one stamp down, and situatung the pack, I was off about 11am. I took the tube into town and got turned around after coming back above ground. I finally got my bearings, then it was off to reserve my ticket on the Eurostar going through The Chunnel to Belgium (one of the modern wonders of the world down)
Now I am sitting in the train station awaiting my train to Bruge. I know, really quick trip through London, but I know I can always come back. London is one of those cities that you can visit anytime of year. So off to Belgium it is. I know a lot of people speak English there, but it is the signs I am worried about. Maybe it is time to break out the charades.
Cheers!
I sure did a lot of walking today, and it wasn't even a full sightseeing day. I know eventually I will get used to the weight of my pack, but for now, it is still heavy.
The weather in London was just how I thought it would be, cloudy and a bit breezy, typical London weather. With all the walking I was doing, it didn't take me long to warm up.
I got into Heathrow about 10 this morning. After going through customs, one stamp down, and situatung the pack, I was off about 11am. I took the tube into town and got turned around after coming back above ground. I finally got my bearings, then it was off to reserve my ticket on the Eurostar going through The Chunnel to Belgium (one of the modern wonders of the world down)
Now I am sitting in the train station awaiting my train to Bruge. I know, really quick trip through London, but I know I can always come back. London is one of those cities that you can visit anytime of year. So off to Belgium it is. I know a lot of people speak English there, but it is the signs I am worried about. Maybe it is time to break out the charades.
Cheers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)