Neuschwanstein & Munich

I took two day trips this week. On Tuesday (we were off for Veteran's Day), I drove 3 1/2 hours each way to see the most photographed castle in Germany - Neuschwanstein. It's also the castle that the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disney World is modeled after. It was quite nice. We hiked up to Marien Bruke (Mary's Bridge) for a better view of the castle and a nice soundtrack of the small waterfall below. The view from the bridge is definitely one of the best views of the castle. Unfortunately, this side of the castle is currently undergoing a 2 million Euro renovation, and is covered with construction.

I took a picture from the window of the castle. Imagine having this view from the window of your home!

On Saturday, we took a 2 hour train ride into Munich. Munich is so busy - so many people! There was plenty to see, but I thought the two highlights were the Maienplatz (Mary's Square) and the Hofbrauhaus, one of Munich's oldest breweries.

Mary's Square is so named, because there's a gold statue of the Virgin Mary at it's center. On the Square is Munich's Neurathaus (New Town Hall), which houses the famous chiming clock - figures come out and dance around when the clock chimes.

The Hofbrauhaus serves a beer recipe that has been brewed since the 1300's, so of course I had to have some, even though I'm not a beer drinker. This is the most famous beer cellar in the world.

Regensburg & The Danube

Today, I went to Regensburg, a town on the Danube River, about 30 miles from where I’m staying and working. There have been inhabitants in this city since the 1st Century! Incredible!

I checked out the Stone Bridge, which was built in the 12th Century, and is considered a marvel of Medieval architecture.

The Cathedral of St. Peter was built in the 13th Century and is another amazing structure. I am constantly amazed at the incredible stained glass in these cathedrals, and all of the carving and intricate detail just keeps me in awe. It was interesting that when I walked into this cathedral, it smelled old. I guess one of the things that is exciting to me about this Medieval architecture is that I’ve been reading World Without End, Ken Follet’s more recent follow up to his Pillars of the Earth. Well, for those of you who haven’t read them, the first book is about the building of the cathedral at Kingsbridge, England in the early Middle Ages. The second is about the building of the bridge in the same location a couple hundred years later. It’s so exciting for me to be able to picture these structures, to be able to better visualize what I’m reading because I have seen them. Anyway, this is one area of Germany that has not been destroyed by war since Napoleon, so much of it’s Medieval charm is still evident.

I was excited that the sun was out and skies were clear today. This is only the second time since I’ve been here that it hasn’t been overcast and foggy all day. When I talk to people who live here about it, they say, “That’s November weather.” I guess this is what I have to look forward to. Although I do hope it snows while I’m here, I’m a bit nervous about driving this stick shift car on the curvy, two-lane roads through the mountains. Snow could put a damper on my travel plans!

Traveling Woes...

Well, today has been quite a day. Four of us missed our train this morning, because they changed the track that it was coming on and we didn’t know it. Funny thing is that we were standing on the platform but waiting for the train on the opposite side. So, the train stopped right next to us and then took off and we never knew it. We ended up taking a later train. After I traveled 2½ hours on this train, I had to drag my 4 bags down a flight of stairs and an escalator and onto the subway, for a 20 minute ride to the local airport, where I met the co-worker who will be orienting me for the next two days. I picked up my rental car, which happens to look exactly the same as the car that I had last time I was in Germany – a silver Ford station wagon. There is one difference though. This one has a standard transmission. I had a minor internal freak out when I learned that getting an automatic wasn’t an option, as I haven’t driven a standard in years. But my dad was right. It is like riding a bike. We’ll see what happens in the ice/snow. The town where I’ll be working is an hour drive from the airport. This means that I had a full day of traveling today, arrived at my hotel around 3pm, finally had lunch/dinner and then took a nap. I feel like I dragged that luggage so many places today! But, I feel good about it. Empowered, like I can do anything or get anywhere. I didn't even have to ask anyone about how to get to/on the subway and get myself to the airport today!

I start work tomorrow! The current consultant told me that she has stayed quite busy and has not done much fun stuff on the weekends because she's been tired from working. I’m excited about an assignment where I will feel a bit more useful, so I’m glad about this, but I am hoping to have at least one good weekend trip. I'd like to make it to Munich and maybe to Prague.

Frankfurt

After 7 hours of orientation yesterday, I took a nap and then went to dinner with some of the other consultants, who will be going to various locations. We took the train into downtown Frankfurt and ate at a traditional German restaurant called Adolphe Wagner. The food was so delicious! They were out of the day’s special, Goulash & a salad, which sounded wonderful to me, so I went with good ol’ wiener schnitzel, fried potatoes and salad. It was very good, maybe the best I’ve had. The hotel concierge made the reservation for us and it was definitely worth the train ride and walk. After getting off of the train, we walked about ½ mile, including walking the bridge over the Main River, to the restaurant. It was a cool evening, so the weather was perfect for such a stroll. Plus, I felt a bit better about the dinner I ate, since we did walk a bit. The hostess at the restaurant told us that they had been booked for weeks, so I’m glad we got to experience the place. When we sat down, the waiter offered us a pitcher of apple wine. It was so good! It tasted like a cross between a dry wine and beer.


I'm posting a picture I took at the restaurant. I think this guy at the bar thought I was taking his picture!

Now it’s almost 7am, and I’m preparing to catch an 8am train to Nuremberg this morning. I’m excited about taking the train. I didn’t venture into the train system the last time I was here, because the idea of doing so intimidated me. Well, this time I have no choice. That’s how the company decided to get me down to where I’m going. Hopefully, I will have the courage to take the train to other places once I’m a bit more settled.

I will spend the night in Nuremberg, because I can’t get an ID to get onto the base until Monday. So, I guess I won’t be really settled for a couple more days. On the bright side, I do think that getting out last night and taking that walk has helped to counter the jet lag. I’m feeling pretty good!