Wow what a weekend!

The highlights from the weekend are... I am really proud of myself making all the correct connections and getting myself to and through Germany by myself. I do use that term liberally as I was directed a few times by the nice folks at the information points- such as in the DB Bahn station as I wasn't able to read any of the numerous languages they offered for ticket sales, "4Th red button" was enough to get me back to the Munchen airport out of Munchen City Center and onto awaiting my flight on British Airways ( brilliant flight) without incident. I found Chip's group surprisingly easily as well.

I was happy to see my son again and to get to know the group he was travelling with as they were a very interesting and somewhat intellectual lot and lastly, to enjoy these new countries with my son. Soon he will be away to college and may his future be bright and he well travelled.

There are numerous beautiful things in Germany and Austria however, I have decided their spoken word is too harsh for me. I was definitely able see the resemblance in my mother's features and the ladies over in that part of the world. The blue eyes and the blondish red hair color. The German facial features and gestures. My uncle's were noted in the beer drinking group as there were lots of them and I could muster a resemblance from them as well. Not that my uncle's drink that much beer but they definately sport a German look.

The gardens were lovely and the people's affection for the city was contagious. I, not having any grasp of the language itself , had to rely on all the visual ques to communication and they were abundant. The use of the ivy leafed geraniums out of almost every window box in city and country was nice to see. Also, a uniting theme throughout the country. They varied in their choices of color combination but it made me wonder if there were any other flowers for sale in the towns. This was answered by traveling to Rotenburg and I was able to enjoy medieval gardens in their beauty and splendor complete with fragrant and lovely rose gardens.

All the animals I saw were well fed and seemed very content- cows relaxing roadside on the way up the Alps to the Ice Caves. Speaking of ice caves- very fun time there- two quick handsome university chaps lead our town. Not only were they terrifically funny they were very easy on the eyes and mingled well with the group as well. Several of the kids on our tour inquired on how to get their job - that was how favorable their impression was of them. Wolf and Fox ( Fox was probably made up but Wolf was short for Wolfgang).

The tour guide enlisted a really fun dance troupe and they can to perform for us in a restaurant. Enjoy the attached video.

Wood carver stop where we met Carl who takes found wood and makes funny faces out of them and serves shots of homemade Ouzo/Schnapps to the grown ups behind the scenes! Such a wonderful man and his wife a terrific gardener. Lovely garden vignettes around each side of the house and into a little back area by the brook.

Ludgwig II's adoration of King Louis was witnessed in his estate which was a delightful ferry ride on a sunny Austrian Day- 72 rooms- 20 of them finished before he ran out of money- four massive gold rooms dedicated to Louis- who only visited the palace/castle once. Ludwig only stayed in it for ten days. It was unbelievable- especially since the grounds were so lovely- and the water statues you could sit and enjoy for days I would think. Interesting times- what people do with their time and money.

In Austria I saw Mozart's birth place as well as the apothoke and candy shop he went to. I saw they house he and his wife lived in- I saw where they filmed some of the sound of music and was able to tour a church.

Another very nice thing I noticed were the presence of couples out and enjoying the countryside and a lot of the "touristy" things we were doing. It was nice to see peace and harmony as they strolled along holding hands and giving each other an occasional kiss. It was nice for me to see because I was hoping to enjoy a slower kinder pace whilst I was away and my desire for such has been assuaged.