Freiburg, Munich, Schwangau & Regensburg, Germany

Freiburg

A pit stop of sorts, to break up a long train ride from Amsterdam to Switzerland. We arrived with few expectations, just looking for an adventure in this city at the edge of the Black Forest. After checking into our studio apartment, we strolled through the University and into old town where we are stunned to find the Minster. This is one of the main attractions in Freiburg, and it was massive.

Standing 116 meters tall and surviving bombings of WW II, we were in awe of this Cathedral. We climbed the near 300 steps, up the spiral staircase, stopping to ward off dizziness. The views of the city and the forest were incredible.

Perusing the small gift shop before our journey back down, we came across a postcard that seemed quite odd. It appeared to be a picture of one of the sculptures on the Cathedral of a person sticking their butt out (see pictures). This can't be! This is a cathedral. It's classy. We asked the man tending the shop and he confirmed that what we were looking at was a BIG ol' "kiss my ass" from the sculptors. The story goes that the sculptors weren't getting paid and so in their response they sculpted a two headed demon, ass out, as one of the drains. A hundred years, or so, later the bishop's house just happens to be at the tail end of this drainage (when it rains, water still shoots out the anus, unfortunately, we had a sunny day).

All this tomfoolery has made us thirsty...let's find a beer garden!! We headed into the Black Forest to find a beer garden perched on a hill overlooking the city. Filled with orange picnic tables we ordered, drank, ate and enjoyed the sites. Freiburg, you've been great, we'll be back another time.

Munich

Like most, if not all, German cities, Munich is clean, organized and efficiently structured. Public transportation is on time and an affordable way to get around the city. We are getting tired of cities though and sat in the Englisher Garden for quite some time after being amazed by the Eisbach surfers.

Eisbach Surfers

We all really know Munich for Oktoberfest and/or beer gardens.

Lunch at the HB Beer Garden

I went to Oktoberfest in '97 and remember these details: the waitresses have the strongest hands and wrists; there is a shortage of restrooms yet shrubs make excellent urinals; the stein is not included in your drink purchase; Burger King tastes delicious, until it wakes you up several hours later; the rides are ridiculously expensive and it's okay to confess that you are a virgin to a total stranger, although conflicted if this was something worth keeping. It's not exactly clear if this guy was hitting on me, I was too busy stuffing my free stein into my backpack.

After returning home from touring the city, I received a Facebook message from our friend Bryan asking if we were safe. I was aware of the sirens and helicopters but just figured that was part of being in a city, which it is, but not like this. We turned on the television and learned of a possible terrorist shooting three miles from our apartment. We were informed that all public transportation was shut down and that the killers were on the loose, possible three men. In the States mass shootings happen so often it doesn't faze us anymore. But in Munich we were shaken. We were unnerved and as the sirens and helicopters continued throughout the night, we were a bit restless. Knowing that we had to get on the U-bahn and head to the main train station in less than 36 hours it was scary. I didn't want to leave the house (we couldn't anyway, while we were there management changed the front door lock and we didn't have the key. The Airbnb host was in Italy.) When the story unfolded, that there was one shooter, a bullied youth and dead the fear subsided and the sadness flowed in. We have to be kinder to one another. We have to be able to see a little bit of ourselves in others. We have to allow our hearts to open a bit more and let go of the misguided or ill-informed anger and fear. It serves no one. Innately I know this, but also, innately, I have a lot of anger...at what? I'm not quite sure, but usually it's because my "easy" button that I ordered from the Staples commercial, doesn't always work.

Schwangau

Neuschwanstein Castle

Schwangau was the perfect city relief. This small town inspires hiking, relaxing in the mountains and being reminded of the beautiful people and places on this earth.

Looking back at Schwangau town from the castle

We hiked in the rain to the famous Neuschwanstein castle and didn't bother paying for the mandatory 30 minute tour if you want in. (This is the castle that inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.)

Additional note: you can walk to the castle faster than the horse drawn carriage, like infinitely faster. The outside is just as spectacular as are the valley views. We stayed in a hotel that included and breakfast buffet. We had a phenomenal local meal here of pork knuckles (not to be confused with moose knuckles) and potato dumpling with pork chunks and something else (clearly, I've forgotten) but they were both delicious, very well priced and filling portions. We highly recommend spending some time in Schwangau and not the bigger, more crowded, Fussen.

Regensburg

There's no real reason to vacation here, that we know of. We stopped here to break up our train trip to Prague. It's a lovely city, which can be seen in a matter of hours. I did get a professional haircut for $20, and it turned out great...way better than my Groupon specials in Reno. We were impressed with the huge shopping mall, including the largest grocery store we've seen to date, all attached to the train station. We ate Vietnamese food here twice. Yep, that wraps it up.