Scotland

Hey ya,

I just got back from a weekend in Scotland. I went over to visit friends Anki and Dave. We walked about Glasgow and basically just hung out for the weekend. It was great to catch up with them and relax.

I have added a new feature to my blog, favorite drinkies. I experienced Pimms and Lemonade at Dave and Anki's. It is quite a popular drink in England in the summer so I thought I would share it with everyone. It is a refreshing and deceptive drink so watch out. I may also add another feature to my blog called toilet experiences from around the globe. I don't know why but lately am fascinated by the toilets in Europe. Anki had to show me how to flush the toilets. The toilets look just the same as they do in the US but for some reason I couldn't figure out how to flush them. When flushed the water just kept running and running but nothing would do down. The trick is that you really have to get the right amount of torque and wrist action when operating the handle. Who knew? Janey, if you ever get to Scotland, now you know the trick. :)

Ahhh...Paris!

Paris is always a city I have dreamed of visiting so to be here is quite surreal. I can't believe that I am in Paris! It is everything I dreamed it would be. The city is bustling and full of energy, the food is amazing, there are so many historical sites to visit....it is just wonderful. The only downside was the aforementioned toilet situation and the metro station sometimes smells of urine. Since I was in hurry to see Paris in 1 day I wasn't able to see any museams or so inside any of the buildings. I also forgot my camera on Friday night so you will have to take my word for it that the Louvre is stunning as is the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. All are much grander than I ever imagined. On Saturday there was a music festival in Paris. Every where I went there was music playing. I saw Notre Dame, the Pantheon, Effiel Tower (from a distance), stolled along the Seine and ended the day at Jardin du Luxembourg. There I look a nice little nap in the sun before heading back to Germany. I can't wait to go back to Paris!

Bonjour!

I just arrived in Paris! This is my third trip to Paris for business and this time I am determined to actually get out and see some sites. Instead of flying or taking the train, this time I drove. It is about a 5 hour trip but it went quickly. It also enabled me to have my first experience with the French gas station bathroom. Now I am not sure if all toilets are this way but at this particular station I had two choices: foot prints over a hole in the floor OR toilet with no toilet seat. Tough choice, I know. Needless to say I went with option 2. I can't think of any reason why I felt compelled to post this other than that this experience made me think of Jane. She has told me many of these types of stories from her trip to Europe. Each time it made me cringe and now I have had the experience first hand. Yea. I can't say that I wasn't warned. Thanks for the heads up Janey!

Wahalla

Wahalla is one of the strangest things I have ever seen. As you are driving through Barvaria, all of a sudden this neo-classical structure appears. It seems completely out of place with the rest of the area. It is stunning. The history behind Wahalla is somewhat long but here is the general idea. After Prussia was defeated by Napoleon in 1807, the Germans were feeling pretty bad about themselves. So Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria came up with the idea of Wahalla in order to pay tribute to "laudible and distinguished Germans." Inside there are busts and plaques paying tribute to folks such as Einstein, Bach, Brahms, Copernicus, Beethoven, Mozart.

Prague

Prague, what can you say about Prague? It is one of the most beautiful cities that I have seen yet. The architecture is amazing!! I only spent the day there so I didn't get to see too much. I was able to go by most of the major sites (Prague Castle, Jewish Town, Charles Bridge, Petrin Tower, The Old Town Hall) but didn't have time to go and see the insides. Which is a shame because I am willing to bet that the interiors are even more spectacular than the exteriors. One day in Prague just wasn't enough. I need to go back. I am only posting a few pictures to give an idea of what I saw. I am trying to figure out how to link my flickr photo gallery to my blog. Once I do, all of my pictures will be available for viewing.

Groβer Arber and Groβer Arbersee

I took the gondola up and hiked to the top of Groβe Arber. It is the highest peak (1456 m) in the Bavarian-Bohemian mountain range. You can see all the way to Czech Rep. That is what they tell me anyway. The views were incredible but there were lots of bugs. It was worse than Minnesota in July. :) I also walked around Lake Abersee. Thankfully there weren't as many bugs there.

Mitterfels

Hello all,

Sorry it took so long to post. Holiday was great! It was just what I needed. Mitterfels was very peaceful and relaxing. It is exactly what one would picture Bavaria to look like and be. There were rolling hills covered with trees and wildflowers. The birds were chirping and the crickets were singing. I even heard a rooster one afternoon. He must have been confused. It was similar to Wisconsin except with mountains!