It appears I am getting a good start on my 101 things already! This weekend we traveled to Innsbruck, Austria and on our way home stopped at Schloss Hohenschwangau and Schloss Neuschwanstein. Surprisingly, Innsbruck isn't in my book but I am still counting it and I think it should be. Easily one of the prettier cities I've ever seen. The road we drove from Innsbruck to the castles is in the book though (it was through the Alps) as are both castles. I'm not sure if it was the pregnancy, the constant switching back and forth, or the altitude but I felt a little sick on the drive to the castles; nothing bad at all though and it stopped as soon as we left the mountains. Going to Austria also allowed me to put another pin in my map of the world! So we are up to five countries we've visited together. My travels as a single lady (Ireland and Spain) and JM's travels as a bachelor (if we can call Iraq and Kuwait "travels") are not included because I wanted it to be only traveling we did together. I briefly considered getting three sets of pins, each a different color, to illustrate my travels, his travels, and our travels but figured it'd get too confusing and it would cease being aesthetically pleasing.
The time we spent in Innsbruck was definitely, definitely needed. We didn't even know it but I think Germany's grey, grey weather was getting to us. I was definitely feeling grouchy, sluggish and bored. I can't say enough how pretty Innsbruck was and how breathtaking the mountains were. Would you agree?
(view from the Old Bridge)We got really lucky, there was 60 percent chance of rain both days we were there but it was sunny and almost hot each day! I got a slight sunburn on my face. Also, Austrians are SO nice! I know it was a touristy town and the economy there depends on customer service but they were above and beyond nice. We've visited touristy towns in Germany and the people there are still German in personality. Also, I didn't feel stared at the whole time which made me so comfortable for once. What a reprieve. They were also ten times more willing to speak German with you. The guy working at the souvenir shop we stopped at asked JM if we were from the Netherlands. When we told him we were from the states he started speaking (pretty much) perfect English and told us he was from Chile studying political science at the Innsbruck university. He and JM chatted briefly about the GOP (the guy even said 'grand ole party'), Afghanistan and Senator McCarthy and Lafayette. Dude was informed about US politics, let me tell you. The girl at the wine shop and our waitress also spoke German to us.
The castles were also beautiful (sorry, no pictures allowed inside either, lame!) and hearing about the history of them was very interesting. Apparently this family's main residence was in Munich (these were their summer/holiday castles) but JM and I didn't see it when we were in Munich in 2008. After both tours we walked a little bit further up the mountain (only about 5 mintutes) to Marien's Bridge and was granted this gorgeous view of Neuschwanstein:
(Neuschwanstein, view from Marien's Bridge)The bridge moved slightly and it was PACKED with other tourists (which made me a bit nervous about it supporting all the weight) but it was totally worth it. Postcard perfect dontcha think?
We got home around 1900, had a dinner of soup and sandwiches and lazed about watching 'Mr and Mrs Smith' which was actually really good. It's not an Oscar winner but it was funny, really entertaining, and original. I'd recommend it if you're looking for a movie for a lazy night. My legs were definitely sore from all the walking we did and the fact that we walked down the mountain (after our Neuschwanstein tour) so I was more than happy to take residence on the couch for the rest of the night.
I have emailed a few people about cars they have for sale so keep your fingers crossed something actually happens this time! One is a Peugot and one is a Honda. Peugot is manual, not sure about the Honda just yet, assuming it's automatic since it's a civic but who knows. The weather appears to be changing here in our little town, it is 62 and sunny today. PLEASE Germany stay this way! I can't handle any more dreary-ness that forces me to turn the lights on in the afternoon!
Two more pictures for your viewing pleasure, the gorgeous Dom St Jakob in Innsbruck:
(view of the catherdral from the top of the Stadttum (Old City Tower))
(the ceiling of Dom St Jakob)
Innsbruck looked lovely!! Dad and I may have to add it to the list for when we come!
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