München to Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to Mars - 1 October

Rabbit, rabbit!

Today was one of those few times when we didn't have to be at the airport at the crack od dawn. So disappointed to see that the Pirates had lost the game 11-1 and also the hopes of the division title. Now we just have to stay ahead of those pesky Cubbies.

We opted to take a taxi to the airport rather than dealing with the public bus and the luggage. What a busy place. We thought we were early, but it took nearly an hour to check baggage, clear passport control, and then security. Why is it that I always get the passport examiner who has the proverbial pole up a rear orifice? He looked at every single page twice.

Did have time for a muffin and coffee before departure. Maureen, Tom, and Peggie were also to be on the same flight, but we didn't see them anywhere near the gate. Boarding took much longer than expected due to heightened security requirements today. They were pulling 1 out of 10 from line and questioning them. We escaped that.

Although we were booked on US Airways, the plane was part of the American fleet. Pleasntly surprised that the legroom was really comfortable. There were USB connectors, but they didn't charge the iPad. Glad i had bought my Mophie.

Service was excellent. They served a hot meal with a couple of glasses of wine. The attendants came around a numbr of times with water. A couple of hours after lunch, they brought some ice cream and then an hour later, pretzels and more water. Finally, about an hour before landing a black bean empanada and a piece of chocolate spomge cake. The empanada was pretty terrible, but other than that the food options were decent.

It's about a 9 hour flight over the ocean so a good time to catch up on the blogging. Really had no time in München to do so. Also watched Far from the Madding Crowd and Wolf Hall, 1&2.

Actually got to Philly about an hour early. The pilot said there were good tail winds instead of the usual head winds. Then we had a 5 hour layover. Well, make that 5 1/2 hour due to the delay because the crew didn't show up on time. How do you not go to your job on time?

Choppy flight to Pittsburgh, but short. Got off the plane and the Steelers were up 20-7 over the Ratbirds. By the time we got to Mars, it was in overtime. Then the loss. Good that I wasn't home or the Dammit Doll would have been flying around the room.

Off to bed with memories of a wonderful time in Deutschland.

 

München- Wednesday, 30 September

It was an early morning again today since we needed to be the Karlstadt deprtment store by 8:00 to get our tour to Lindefor, Oberammergau, and Neuschwanstein. Checked the scores to find out that the Pirates were rained out. They will be playing a day night doubleheader today. We may actually get to listen tonight

Had a bit breakfast at the train station - finally had ein Berliner!

We were able to get a good seat on the upper deck, so much a better view than what we had on the Teutonia coach. Sophie was our guide and we were glad that she spoke perfect English.

The day was beautiful in München when we left, but got foggier as the drive ensued. Our first stop was Lindefor Palace. This was one of Ludwig II's castles. We have all heard about Mad King Ludwig, but to hear the real story was enlightening. On the way our coach broke down, but after about 20 minutes, Ernest, the driver mamaged to get it working again.

Lindefor is really hidden in the woods in the Bavarian Alps. When we arrived it was about a 15 minute walk to the palace and miraculously the fog lifted. The palace is so full of gold in the Rococo style. We were not allowed photos which was too bad.

 

Some of the gardens built in homage to Louis IX and the palace of Versailles. There was even a hall of mirrors on a smaller scale.

 

 

After our tour we were off to Oberammergau, the home of the world reknowned Passion Play, performed every 10 years. The village is also known for its flowers and painted walls. We had been there in 2002 and little hs change. We walked around a bit and bought a Christmas tree to add to our collection.

 

Then it was about a half hour drive to Hohenschwangau. Our tour was scheduled for 3:35 so we grabbed a bite to eat - Earle a vegetarian lasagna and I a bowl of onion soup and a pretzel. Unfortunately the soup was just lukewarm. We checked the lines out at the bus stop and decided to take our place there. The bus to the castle of Neuschwanstein saved a bit of time than from hikiing the mile and a half up. We still had about a 15 minute walk from the upper stop. The clouds at the base of the hill dissappated and we were treated to beautiful views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

 

We weren't allowed pictures again and the tour was a combination of escort and audio. We were pushed around a bit by some very rude people on the tour. Neuschwanstein was never completed as Ludwig had planned. It was based on the model of a medieval fortress. We picked up the headsets and then clibed 4 flights of a circular staircase up one of the towers. The interior was dark, and full of wood carving. Murals depicted mythological scenes as well as scenes from Richard Wagner's operas. The swan motiff was everywhere.

 

 

And so I crossed off yet another on the bucket list. We walked down the entire way and were provided vistas that will be etched in our minds.

 

It was about a 2 hour drive back to the city center. We had intended to go to the Ratskellar for dinner, but since we got back later than expected and were totally wiped out from the 8 miles hiking, we opted for the hotel for dinner.

Printed out boarding passes and turned on without sound the Pirates game. Sat next to a nice guy from Elkhart, Indiana, who was an avid Cardinals fan. We had some great dinner conversation while following the game. Cervelli's grand slam was awesome on the way to the Pirates victory.

Also good to be messaging Amy. Will be glad to talk to her live and hear what's been happening in her life for the last 2 weeks.

Up to the room to finish packing. Home tomorrow!!

 

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München- Tuesday, 29 September

We decided to not set an alarm this morning. It felt great to sleep in til 8:00. It was not so grat to learn how the Pirates lost the first game of the series to St. Louis. You can't leave 16 men on base and expect to win. Got to win the next two or it's over as far as the division goes.

We headed into the center city to do a trial run of the time it would take to get to the point of our tour departure for Wednesday. Grabbeded a quick pastry at the train station and then took off for Marienplatz. This was our 3rd time in the city and although there was a lot of scaffolding and new construction, there is a timelessness about the city with the anchoring Rathaus.

Our goal for the day was to tour the Residenz, the palace of the electorate Mxmillian Joseph. We had been to Nyphenberg Palace and Dachau, the other two "must sees" in München. But never had been to the Residenz. We had no idea that it would take over 5 hours to do so. With over 120 rooms, the scale was so impressive.

Virtually in ruins after the bombing in WW II, the palace has been reconstructed and cotinues to undergo restoration. As a museum now, it has been divided into 2 partsU- the museum and the treasury. We got an audio guide and started on the way through the maze of rooms.

The first was the grotto. In order to reconstruct this room, citizens of Germany gathered shells for the walls.

 

Took many pictures of the rooms, but will include just a few until i get them all labled.

 

 

A bit of a silver collection.pp

.The chapel

Another private chapel. The recontruction of this palace has been magnificent.

When you know all your ancestors, you can dedicate a room to the family tree and over 100 portraits.

 

 

We had our audio guides reprogrammed for the Treasury, the home of the crown jewels and other exquisite items.

 

 

When you are a king or queen, you can travel with this kind of toiletry kit

It was nearly 5:00 when we left and so we walked quickly back to Marienplatz to catch the glockenspiel at the Rathaus. No matter how many times you hear the chimes and watch the joust, it is really a priceless experience and does not grow old or stale.

 

We had intended to have a bit of lunc somewhere, but decided that seeing was more important than eating. It was a bit cooler tongight so got a place at the Hofbau bier garten somewhat protected from the breeze.

Earle had. Pork shin and I the roasted half chicken, with our zwei Maß.

 

 

Shopped around for a few souvenirs and headed back to the hotel. I finished up the Teutonia blog and decided to call it a night since we had an early morning.

 

 

 

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Hamburg to München - Monday, 28 September

It was a very early morning today since we were catching the transfer bus with the choir. It saved navigating to the airport on our own and it was free! Downside was that luggage had to be on board by 5:00 am. This was especially painful because we stayed up listening to the Cubs vs. Cardinals game. It was exciting to hear the Cubs pull it out. Awake at 4:00 and could listen to the end of the Pirates game. Not good finish to that one.

The flight to München was quick and without hassle. When we arrived we thought the hotel had a shuttle, which they did in the form of a public bus. Glad we were first on with our suitcases. Arrived at the Novotel and checked in to the room. It was lovely - very modern and clean. We had looked into hotels in the city center but due to Oktoberfest, those rates were outrageous. This was a convenient hotel, about a 7 minute walk from the train and considerably less expensive, not cheap, but less than city center.

We wanted to book a tour to Neuschwanstein for Wednesday so we navigated to the Hauptbahnhof to find the Euraid counter that Rick Steves recommended. He was right. The customer ervice was excellent and helpful.

From there it was off to Oktoberfest. Another experience in our lives that you just can't describe. Hundreds of thousand people having fun. We didn't have tent reervations so jus ate outside.

I had a goulash of beef and Earle had a pretzel and spinach dumpling plate. Of cou rse there were zwei maß bier!

 

We traveled around to a number of tents, enjoying the music and watching the crowds. The Hofbrau tent was by far the most "energetic."

Around the festival grounds there were lots of shops selling all sorts of foods and souvenirs. Love all the lebkuchens.

 

 

We had such a wonderful, fun time. I'm glad to have another item checked off the bucket list!

It was late and we made our way back to the hotel, tired, but so wonderful to have experienced Oktoberfest in München.

 

 

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