Diary of a Visit: Vienna

Oh, you didn't know that everywhere my mom goes she makes new friends? Take my cousin's wedding this summer. She married a man whose originally from Austria and his family came to the wedding in California... my mom made friends with his cousin, Julia, who lives in Vienna. My mom had the brilliant idea of exchanging emails and letting Julia know they'd be in Germany. We also conveniently drove through Austria (twice) on our way to/from Italy. Mom decided that a stop in Vienna to meet Julia would be fun. And so it was (except the fact that Chad and I were sick... grumpy... cold... borderline miserable... which always makes for a fun vacation).

-Vienna, Austria-

I decided to post this picture regardless of how fat my head looks because it sums up our feelings towards the symptoms that decided to plague us.

At the base of a really cool Mozart statue... unfortunately, my mom isn't that handy with the camera and could find no possible way to fit us and the statue in the frame. And... I didn't really care at this moment.

Opera House at Night

Our Carriage Ride Through Vienna...

And last but not least... we braved opening night of Vienna's Christmas Market... and then went back to the hotel where the vicks was...

Vienna was a beautiful city with delicious food and kind people. We hope to visit again... and be able to enjoy it MORE since we'll hopefully be able to breathe and taste food again.

ciao.

Vacation: Day 4 & 5

Day 4: Shopping in downtown Garmisch-Partinkirchen

I wish I had a picture of the adorable flats Chad bought me downtown. Maybe that's for another blog... but armed with my new shoes I feel very European (flip flops are no nos in Germany... unless your at a beach or bathhouse).

Day 5: Eagle's Nest & Berchtesgaden (Austria)

Obersalzberg, where the Eagle's Nest is located, was a resting place for Hitler. He enjoyed visiting Obersalzberg so much that in 1933 he made the area his private residence and later a government headquarters. The road and the Eagle's Nest were built in a short 12 months and given to Hitler for a 50th birthday present. Unfortunately, Hitler rarely visited the Eagle's Nest, which was built at 1834 m above sea level, because he had a fear of heights and he worried the air was too thin. The Eagle's Nest consists of a large reception room, a kitchen (which was never used) and a waiting room. The Nest was never meant to be a permanent residence, but only a meeting place/tea house for the Nazi party, high ranking officials, and dignitaries.

In 1945 the Eagle's Nest barely survived the British air raid that destroyed Berchtesgaden when a large cloud covered the house and prevented the pilots from seeing their target. It was turned over to Bavaria from American occupation troops in 1952 and is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bavaria.

The drive to the top (buses with special brakes and engines are needed to climb the steep hill)...

Inside the tea house...

View of the Lake from the Eagle's Nest.

The Eagle's Nest

Chad & I at the top.

City of Salzburg down below...

The tunnel (which Hitler walked through) to get to the brass elevator which takes us to the Eagle's Nest...

Outside of Tunnel (plague dated 1938)

Lunch in the town of Berchtesgaden (totally destroyed during the war)

Chad's "leg of pork & dumplings" and my "Schnitzel & potatoes"

Golden Bear Restaurant

Fruit Stand

And back home.. (view from room).

auf wiedersehen!

Vacation:: Day 1

Greetings! I am back from my brief (but just long enough) stay in the Bavarian Alps and am happy to be blogging again. It really wasn't worth it to pay for Internet while I was down there because I had plans to do something EVERYDAY. You'll see... here.... soon. I have to take it a day at a time though because I still need to upload some new pictures and do some editing. Anyways, now to the fun stuff... we arrived in Garmisch Monday night. Tuesday morning I had booked a tour to visit Swarovski World and Innsbruck Austria. Chad had to work (poor guy) but it didn't slow me down.

Edelweiss Lodge and Resort

(If you're young, single and looking to travel, they have employment opportunities with an interview session beginning this month in the U.S. The pay isn't great but you get to live in the alps, travel, and take advantage of winter/summer sports. You may know someone who would be perfect for the job! I think it would be an ideal situation for certain personalities. You can learn about employment information on their website... http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/employment.html. )
Swarovski Crystal World in Wattens, Austria.

This giant is "protecting" the crystals.

The largest cut crystal to date (think 300,000 carats). Once owned by Liberace.

I'm not too sure what to say about this one. It was reflected in the crystals.... I think?

The Crystal Factory (top secret).

Innsbruck, Austria (Maximilian's "Gold Roof")

Lunch... Goulash!

Still in Innsbruck...

Ski Jump (Innsbruck Winter Olympics 1976)

Inside the Basilica

And... outside the Basilica...

Check back tomorrow for Italy!

Ciao.