(Guess we'll have to transcribe from what David wrote while we were in Germany.... )
Poor Shaunda became ill on the plane on the way to Munich on the 13th of February (sick, as in need a toilet nearby, SICK!) We went straight to the hotel so she could rest. I took the kids to the pool-- where we were asked to be quiet while playing-- as were the other guests with kids. Kids + swimming pool does not = quiet! Ever!
The next day, Valentine's Day, Shaunda was still ill. (thus the no kisses bit). We got the kids rousted from their bed early to get to the bus for Neuschwanstein Castle. As shaunda was ill, we inquired about coming another day, and were assured that we could. So, now-- plan B. I had the kids help figure out the train system. (Good for them, but also stalled for time so I could figure it out.) We git a bite of breakfast and proceeded through the Karlstor into Old Town. The Karlstor was part of the old city walls kept when the rest of the wall was demolished in 1791. We headed down Munich's largest shopping street toward the Marienplatz. Along the way, we stopped in Michaelskirche (the Church of St. Michael), where we heard Mass in German. The boys were impressed by the pipe organ in athe church, bu tnot so much by listening to a sermon in German. Two famous German kings, Ludwig II and Mazimillian I are buried there. After leaving the church, we found another church nearby with even taller towers. The Frauenkirche was built in teh years 1468 to 1488, and is the largest Gothic building in southern Germany. The towers are nearly 330 feet tall! We passed by the "New Town Hall" (1867 to 1909) and Glockenspiel on teh way to the U-Bahn train. After checking on Shaunda, we proceeded to the BMW factory. The BMW Welt (BMW World) has most of their new cars and lots of interactive displays for all ages of petrol heads regarding technologies they are using or developing. (They are working a lot on hydrogen. I hope we get some good alternatives to the gasoline engine soon!
Following that, Zane had had enough of cars for a while. We went outside and took some video of playing in the snow. We were on the grounds where the 1972 Olympics were held. the hills there were made from teh rubble removed from the city after WWII. Then, inside for some hot chocolate!
On to the BMW Museum. They have a shape-shifting car, which was the only one Zane wanted to see. Turns out, it is actually in London right now! We will have to see it before it returns home. After most of the museum, even Gray said he was ready to go!
Shaunda was a bit better after a day of rest, but still weary. So, we ate at the hotel "Burger bar."
Autobahn and Neuschwanstein
The next day, we made our own tour to Neuschwanstein Castle (since we couldn't take our scheduled tour the day before, due to Shaunda being ill.) Part of what Gray has wanted since he heard about going to Europe was to go fast on teh autobahn. (Autobahn is actually just a generic term for highway. Nevertheless, no speed limit at points! They have this in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.) I had not done enough preparation to get the kind of exotic car rental that Gray wanted. (He was thinking Maserati, Porche, Ferrari, American Muscle (Vette, 50's Cadillac). You get the idea...) We were able to locate a BMW rental place (yes, in Germany!) No M-series available, but a brand new 5 series sounded good to me! "Quite posh." It had talking GPS, a rear end camera so you could see what you are about to hit while backing up, along with warning "beeps" whenever any part of your car was getting too close. Heated seats front and back, along with electric seat adjustments, moon roof, STEREO, veeerrrryyyy smooooooooooth ride. After setting the navigation up for English, we proceeded toward Neuschwanstein Castle. After a late lunch, Zane and I climbed the mile up to the castle, while Shaunda and Gray chose to take the horse-drawn carriage ride. I have wanted to see this castle since I visited Munich for a few days in college. I wasn't able to do it then. The setting is spectacular, with the castle built into the Bavarian Alps, with mountains and Alpine forest all around. The inside is just as spectacular. The woodwork incredible, as are the paintings. The castle is actually only partially finished, as King Ludwig II died before it was completed. He was too fond of castle building and not attentive enough to the politics of the country. (He had 3 castles built, simultaneously!) The castle is illustrated throughout by schenes from Wagner's operas, as Wagner was a friend of the king.
Alas, I had to drive the BMW through all sorts of winding mountain roads afterwards. We went to Oberammergau for dinner. (There is a famous Passion Play put on here once a decade since the 1600's!) Then, back on the autobahn. I hit nearly 250 kilometers per hour on the way home (150+ mph...). What a day!
No comments:
Post a Comment