Durch Dick und Dünn gehen

[windemere]

I can say a lot of things about Bavaria. 99% of them are absolutely lovely, and the other 1% is only because it's currently cold enough there to freeze Hell over and I live in Europe for a reason.

I never really know what to write for a travel blog post. I mean, I write them, but I'm not certain they are entertaining or useful or that anyone even reads them. But I like to write, and I like to record, and here we are.

The Germans are a funny people. I mean that in the nicest way. They are very friendly (at least in Bavaria, since that's the only place I've visited) and welcoming, but listening to them talk in rapid-fire German is sort of hilarious. I can read German not badly, at least enough to manage as a tourist, but I don't understand a single spoken word beyond 'bitte' and 'danke'. Thankfully, most Germans speak a measure of English (better than I will ever speak their language, bless them). It reminds me of the Hungarians at Gibbs Hill Farm in Northumberland who didn't speak a word of English, but who I talked to for two hours one September with Kate.

Munich would take a few weeks to really see. But I like to leave things undone for my 'next' visit, like the proverbial throwing of a coin into the Trevi Fountain. You need a reason to go back. I have about six that I can think of off the top of my head, and in no particular order they start with BWM and end with October. Sometime when the weather is amiable and the trees are still green.

However, winter in Bavaria is stunningly beautiful. The sort of beautiful that Ontario never manages to look, no matter how early you get up after a night's snowfall. That constant state of greyish brown that defines the province cannot be helped along by snow and slush. Pictures will be up at: http://s58.photobucket.com/albums/g242/Aromene/Germany/ in a day or two! For now, you can enjoy the background, which is what that's supposed to look like when it isn't -10* and foggy!

I'm not going to talk about museums (I'll save that for my actual blogs) and the architecture will be self-evident when the pictures are up. And I could go on for days about how beautiful Schloss Neuschwanstein is, but if you've ever seen a picture, words don't do it justice. Suffice it to say, the inside (in which you are not allowed to take photos) is just as stunning as the outside, at any time of year! Pity about all that scaffolding right now which ruins the view from Hohenschwangau, but thankfully not from the front!. It's unfortunate that Ludwig II never finished it and only lived in the half-completed palace areas for 172 days before he died! It was immediately opened to the public for tours, to pay back the enormous sum that had gone into it's construction. Though it is the model for Disney's castle in Florida, the real one on the slopes of the Bavarian Alps is much more picturesque inside in the completed rooms (do a Google search for hi-def images).

Amusingly, the true highlight of the trip was the hockey game on Friday. I've never been to a hockey game. I know; I fail as a Canadian. I only ever watch it at the Olympics. But when your cousin plays for Munich, you can't pass up a game! It was an edge of your seat one too, resulting in not only overtime, but a shoot-out too! The fourth shot by Munich, by #19 Dietrich, was the winning goal. Yeah, that would be my cousin. ;) We sat in the wives section, of course, and afterwards had drinks in the VIP room (with free Bavarian style dinner - yum!) It was amazing and very surreal! I hope they have a great season (but not too great, or they won't get back to Canada in time for that trip to the Bahamas Tammy just booked...)

I need to go back (like right now) for Oktoberfest and warmer weather. And Salzburg too, which is so close! It was especially wonderful to spend time with cousins that we've only recently reconnected with (their aren't many of us still living on that side, so it's really nice to make an effort). I spent 8 days sleeping with a four-year-old who throws tantrums and playing with a 1-year-old who is the most adorable creature ever and not thinking about my PhD AT ALL. That is what I call a vacation!

Tomorrow, I go back to work [already went back today] by answering a slew of emails, booking train tickets for my next adventure, reading that book that's due back to the library, web research for the conference and groceries. The last is the most important, of course.


ETA: Pictures now up.

Comments

[zaftig46.livejournal.com]

Welcome back; very jealous about Neuschwanstein - used to drool every time it was on A&E's Great Castles of Europe back in the day. And yes, quite right that you should take a break and also that your first priority should be to feed yourself! No you, no PhD! :-)

[eldanna.livejournal.com]

Ha! Yes, how right.

In my apartment during my BA, I had a sunset photo of the castle. I thought it was a doctored image, because no way could it look that amazing. I now know better!

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

That sounds absolutely lovely. I'm glad it went so well.

[eldanna.livejournal.com]

If you get to Vienna next year, we should make a trip to the Alps if I can come and visit you!

[shirebound]

I love reading about folks' travels.

[eldanna.livejournal.com]

So do I! It never fails to make me want to travel, but writing about my own trips is fun too.

[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

It all sounds excellent. I will be looking forward to the photos. I will be putting Bavaria on my list of places to see. (It's a very long list.)

[eldanna.livejournal.com]

So is my list!