Munchen!!

Germany!
*Note: This is 4 of 4 about Germany. If you want to read the other ones look at the ones following this, they each pertain to different areas in Germany and are labeled such.

Munich. A beautiful city surrounded by many interesting things. In fact we were outside of Munich for 2 out of 3 days.

Day1: Neuschwanstein and other place. I only call it other place, because I am too lazy to look up the name and too tired. However it is outside of Munich by train about 2 hours. And both of these castles are beautiful. The other place was the home of Ludwig II ancestors, while Neuschwanstein is one of the castles he built. All I can say is that castle is crazy. Ludwig was technically declared insane later on in his reign, but the castle he built had an indoor cave inspired by an opera, a singers hall and was one of the most decorative things I had ever seen. The surrounding mountains only added to this beauty. There was a gorgeous gorge just north of the Neuschwanstein and this could be crossed by a bridge. The scenery was again beautiful. This is also the castle that inspired Disneys castle.

Day 2: Dachau. Germanys first concentration camp. I do not truly know how to describe this place. And while we were allowed to take pictures I took none. This was not due to it being to horrific. It was more out of respect, the people that had died there reserved that and I felt like it was a little thing I could do. So while I can tell you about what I saw there is no real way for you to understand what the cremetory, baracks, gates, guard towers, and yard looked like. They had videos from survivors and we had a great guide explain everything that had occured there. If you would like to know more about this place, just ask and I can explain more throughly.

Day 3: A bike tour around Munchen! Our guides name was Jolly and he was just that. He made sure everyone felt welcome, had fun, was safe, tried beer, and learned alot about this wonderful city. He showed us where Hitler loved to give speeches, where kings used to live, where people tried to riot, where the old gates stood, and a beer garden. Now in Bavaria it is a good thing to know that they sell beer by the liter if you want. A very good thing to know and try, especially during a bike tour. Jolly explained things from the past and the present of Munchen. He told us where the Oktoberfest had started and why, and just how much Bavaria liked their history. These people had even tried to stop a fire by using beer, due to a shortage of water, they are very dedicated to the town and will probably never run out of beer.

So while I did not spend a lot of time in Munchen I did learn a lot of Bavaria and its history. Now I sit in Florence, exhausted but unable to fall asleep. The train ride here included me being on the top bunk of three with a very hard matress. Hopefully the walking tour goes well and the weather holds out. It is supposed to be around 90 something today. And therefore I end yet another chapter and begin the next on ITALY!!