Europe '09

We just got back from a 2 week stint in Europe about 4 hours ago! Before the jet-lag sets in I thought I'd blog about it. WE HAD A BLAST!!!!! Here's a few things I don't want to forget about our

"trip to the fatherland".

#1. Matt's wonderful Aunt Kathy and Uncle Freddy live in Veitschochheim, Germany. They were awesome to take us around their area and show us some of the sights. I love this picture because it is a typical little German town street: Cobblestone sidewalk and a woman hanging outside of a second story window just watching what's been going on. In the neighboring window sill is a box of flowers, and ivy coming up the house walls. It was so welcoming and homey and so classic European--LOVED it:)

#2. The FOOD!! Oh my goodness, the food. This was a typical bakery dangerously close to one of our hotels. I loved the pretzel breads made into a sandwich with salami, cheese, cucumber, and LOTS of mustard. We had a fair share of Bratwurst and Schnitzel, which were dang good. We also went to town with the ice cream. Pretty much we had dessert after every meal....and pretty much we don't regret it at all!Enjoying various desserts at Demmels....mmm,mmm good. #3. The countryside and views of the city. I could never quite capture it on camera. I just kept looking at it and thinking 'How beautiful. I'm never going to forget this.' Below we are overlooking the city of Wurzburg, Germany right outside the walls of a fortress.
The Alps from a window in Neuschwanstein.#4. The CASTLES and castle grounds!!! We visited 6 in total but in Europe, they are a dime a dozen and there were plenty we didn't get to! I couldn't believe it! One of our favorites was the Residenz at Wurzburg. One of the rooms was all white and reminded me of the temple. This is overlooking Eisenoch, Germany from a tower off of the Wartburg where Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. Here we are on the medieval draw-bridge at the Wartburg. This place was built in the 11th-13th century! And it's still standing! Below was an awesome mosaic room--each ceramic tile was so small and detailed!Inside most of the places we were not allowed to take photographs, but I 'forgot' a few times and snapped a quick one. Below is a tapestry in the Wartburg that Matt was impressed with. This was another great castle in the heart of Vienna, Austria called the Schonbrunn. This castle had a lot of history with it....and a lotta BLING!! Here's another 'oops' picture:)For me, the outside gardens were as impressive as the insides were. Matt found this shot of the Gloriette at Schonbrunn.This is the Disneyland castle, or Neuschwanstein. The guy who built it was crazy and basically took ideas from all the old castles and tried to copy them on the inside. It was only built in the 18oo's. It's way up the in Alps and had a great view. When you look at Neuschwanstein, it always seems like it's off centered and leaning a bit.... #5. The Cathedrals of the Catholic and Lutheran churches. The cathedral below is in St. Stephens in Vienna. We took a tour of the catacombs and saw thousands of human bones from when they were burying people in masses from the black plague. It freaked me out.The Catholic cathedrals classically have more gold in them and are more flashy, like the one below. It was built around 1650.
#6. The AUTOBAHN! Or at least I thought it was exciting diriving 100 mph:)
#7. Hearing Matt speak German!!!! Matt served his mission in Germany and wow, the man can speak! I was so impressed. He hasn't spoke it for years but he picked it right back up! Good job sweetie! Thanks for being our translator!

#8. The company of these wonderful people:
This is Phil. He kept us all laughing. Phil knows the lyrics to just about every 90's and probably 80's song and loves to belt it out in the car. Even though he's white. We often heard Phil's imitation of a local vendor "Kebab, Kebab bitter shurn?" Phil, you rock. And so does the lady in red, Lisha! Even though she's prego and probably very uncomfortable, she NEVER complained. Lisha puts the 'awe' in awesome.Laura, oh Laura. It never seemed to bother her when we endlessly teased her about only packing SKIRTS (really, what were you thinking?) or her oh-so-suttle laugh. We love you Lars. I'm so glad you came!! (And I hope you don't hate me for not sharing my food with your strep-infected throat:) She is a walking, talking historian and when she's around......THE HILLS ARE ALIVE!!
Well, that's the end of our "love affair" with Europe, as Laura would say. I'll never forget Europe '09!

Auf Wiedersehen!