jeannieadams

Munich Museums and Dinner with Corrrinnneeeyyy

12 Dec 2011 1 Comment

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: amotherfromavitobyriedel, corriinneeyyanddirk, morningafterastormynightbydahl1819

Monday , December 12, 2011

Guess what street I was looking for when I came across this sign? If you have ever seen a map of Munich, there is not one straight street and each street changes names frequently with no rhyme or reason. So if you are looking for some place- you just kind of walk in that general direction and hope for the best. On the flip side, that also makes for some interesting walks.

Today was a day for museums but also the day I met up with my much missed adopted daughter for dinner, Corrinneeyy. Yes, that really is her name. Corrinneeyy moved here to Munich from the U.S., so I don’t get to see her much. Tonight was a real treat to get together with her, relax and enjoy a meal, conversation, laughs and catch up. Plus it was Corrinneeyy’s birthday!! What fun!!

Happy Birthday Again Corrinneeyy!

As for the museums, I went through the New Art Museum ( Neue Pinakothek ) and thoroughly enjoyed it and brought a beautiful silk scarf from the gift shop afterwards. Then I went through the Deutsch Museum and enjoyed the collection of sail boats, ship models and airplanes. I also walked through what seemed to be miles of mines that replicated how the mining industry was set up and operated. It was too realistic for my taste and I decided I could never be a miner. It’s closed in and dark. No brainer there. Now just walk even this fake one and see how you start to feel uncomfortable, irritable, mine cave- ins come to mind, so does prayer and you keep hoping every next turn will be the end of it. Interesting? Maybe. But not what I would call fun. Once I found My way out of the mines, I got the heck out of the whole museum. Enough culture for the day.

Mother from Vito by Riedel 1848

Morning After Story Night by Dahl 1819

My Mining Buddies

Dachau Memorial Grounds, Dachau, Germany

11 Dec 2011 2 Comments

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: dachaumemorialgrounds

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Sobering day. I toured what they call today the Dachau Memorial Grounds, place of the first Nazi concentration camp, opened in 1933 and in existance until it was liberated in 1945. Of the 30 barricks that once existed, only two are standing today but the foundation of the other 28 remain.Each barrick had 4 rooms and each room was designed to hold 50 people, but by the time the war ended there were 500 people in each room.

An abbreviated and informative account of the history of that time, Hilter and his rise to power, WWII and not only about Dachau, but about why so many other camps ( 400 in all) were also opened was given. I had a great guide, Nicola, through Radius Tours. lt reminded me how much I appreciate the USA.

The stories I heard were not for the weak of heart.

Prisoners were given a number and color coded as to why they were there.

the beds

10 toilets per barrick

1 of the 2 still remaining barricks

the foundations of the other barricks

watch towers with electric fences to prevent escapes

Christmas Markets in Bamberg, Germany

10 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: Bamberg Christmas Markets, Bamberg Germany, Christmas Sausage, Fig people, santa dog

bamber Christmas Markets

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Looks like Neptune is lecturing the Santa Clones…..”You’d better watch out….”

Bamberg’s Christmas Markets were not exactly up to par with the rest I have seen in other cities, none the less, there are interesting tidbits to be found everywhere. Hope these photos make you smile and remind you that just when you think you have seen it all……

Sausages All Dressed Up For Christmas

Characters Made Out of Figs. Gives ” go figure” a new meaning……..

Santa Dog

And to all a Good Night….

A Day In Bamberg, Germany

10 Dec 2011 2 Comments

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: bambergoldtownhall, bambergslittlevenice, bambergsstpeterandstgeorgecathedral, bamburg

The Old Town Hall

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Today was a whirlwind tour exploring Bamberg. With the short winter daylight and the 2 hour train ride each way from Munich, I didn’t have much time to see the city and the Christmas Markets of Bamberg but I put a brisk step in my walk and gave it my best try. First impression – Bamberg is beautiful and much bigger than I expected. The Christmas Markets were a little disappointing being much smaller than expected and selling some strange items that I would not shop for in this setting – such as panties, ( seriously – the plain white kind), kitchen gadgets and purses for example. Items such as those do nothing to add to my Christmas spirit. But the Old Town, which survived WWII intact, made up for any short comings. The Old Town has a charming medieval feel on a hilly terrain with surprising pictuesque views every time you turn a corner. Plus Bamberg also has a Katie Wohlfahrt Christmas Shop -a treat in itself. Bring your credit card (Or shop online.) You will not leave empty handed . I also had a wonderful German lunch of potatoe soup and the day was so mild I sat outside to eat and people watched at the same time. On the way back to the train station, I found a DM Store which sells the brand of Balea face creams and such that I love and they are inexpensive. I bought a bag full! So I were successful with making the best of our time.

.Bamberg Christmas Markets photos are in the next blog…….

Frescoes on the Old Town Hall

St. Peter and St George Cathedral built in 1237

Little Venice in Bamburg

A Shifty Looking Character…..

Munich Christmas Markets 2011

09 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: munichchristmasmarket2011

Friday , December 9, 2011

The Christmas Markets are a requirement, along with the Hofbrauhaus, for the first day in Munich. I’ve been told by my 2^nd daughter Corrinneeyy, that Munich has many Christmas Markets. The Market I went to today was in Marienplatz. I enjoyed it totally. Also, there was a department store with the greatest window display of dozens of darling motorized teddy bears (and various other stuffed animals) set up in a little town display. It even had a “tourist bear” holding a map. Of course, that’s not me – I prefer to get lost, or rather I can get lost even with a map. : )

Store Window Display

Arrival in Munich

09 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: munich, munichnewtownhall, municholdtownhall

Munich’s New Town Hall

December 9, 2011

Munich is my final city and base for some day trips. I have been to this lively city before and it was fun to recognize the sights I had seen before . I had a grand time walking around getting acclimated and seeing all the food. Guess I’m a little hungry after the last two cities being the picky eater that I am. But I won’t go hungry here! Our first official stop was the Hofbrauhaus – its required of the tourists. Then off to the Christmas Markets. : )

Tootsie and Daisy’s Cousin – All the Dogs Here are Dressed for Fashion

Munich’s Old Town Hall

Hofbrauhaus Toast to the City!

Is She Dressed Like a Cookie??

Road Trip to the Mountains via Berchtesgaden

08 Dec 2011 1 Comment

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: Berchtesgaden Train Station, lake konigsee, plum kuchen

Plum Kuchen

December 8, 2011

What I wanted to do today and what I actually did were two different things but it was still a great day. What I did: took a local bus to the small town of Berchtesgaden, Germany to see Lake Konigsee, take a boat ride, and see a beautiful church that sits on the side of the lake. Konigsee is the deepest lake in the Alps and is so clean,you can drink from it and it is surrounded by fjords-like mountains. BUT…….when I got to this moutain lake, it was beautiful but also, freezing cold, and REALLY WINDY., so the boat rides were canceled for the day. Damn!!

So what I did do is : Have a great bus ride up this mountain looking at all of the huge snowy mountains and cute chalets and picture postcard scenery. I also had a wonderful snack of plum kuchen at a little cafe at this resort. Very yummy! Then I walked around a bit and took the bus back. A few interesting facts about the town of Berchtesgaden though – the train station was almost doubled in size by Hitler so he could have his own VIP reception area. His younger sister is also “unofficially” buried in the cemetary there ( although) everyone knows about it. Lastly, Hermann Goering hid his art collection in the tunnel behind the train station during WWII.

So, eventhough, I did not get my boat ride,it was a beautiful, fun and interesting trip.

Berchtesgaden Train Station

Hitler’s Reception Area Was on the Right.

Road Trip Scenes

The Church I Wanted to See on the Lake

A Day in Salzburg to Explore

07 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: stpeterschurchinsalzburg

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Today was a day for exploring Old Town Salzburg. What a beautiful city! The Old Town was not damaged in WWII so the buildings are still original. I went into a couple of old ( really old) churches, one of which was St. Peters who still has the bakery in cellar where the monks used to make bread – it is still made and sold today ( just not by monks). The church cemetery is behind the church. Each cemetery plot is billed for 10 years at a time. – if there is no one to pay —-well, out you go to make room for someone who can pay. Also rode another funicular, this one to the top of Hohensalzburg Fortress. There were wonderful views of the cityscape, especially with the dusting of snow from the night before. Of course, shopping on Getreidegasse Street is required when you come to visit Salzburg. The house where Mozart was born is also located on this street. Many shops sell the dirndl and lederhosen, if you are in need of one, and there are many fun touristy shops as well as high end shops. Some of the shops owners display a touch of humor with their wares. It was a fun day – even though it rained instead of snowed.

St Peter’s Church in Salzburg

Bakery in Chruch Cellar

Funny Finds in Salzburg Shops

The House Mozart was Born.

The Alps and the Train Ride to Salzburg

06 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: beehivehouseinslovenia, snowcappedalps

Tuesday December 6, 2011

Riding the railways again today, this time I was on my way to Salzburg, Austria. Five relaxing hours on the train, straight through, no connections to make, just sit back and watch the scenery. The beautiful Alps, this trip, are snowcapped,. There are rushing streams that at times run along the side of the tracks, racing with the train. The little villages that fill up a spattering of the valleys with homes that look like little toys. I even saw a bee hive house as we were leaving the country of Slovenia. They have the tradition of painting the doors to each hive differently to help the bees return to the correct hive. It was a great ride.

Bee Hive House in Slovenia

Salzburg’s Christmas Markets 2011

06 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by jeannieadams in Uncategorized Tags: salzburgcathedral, salzburgschristmasmarkets2011

Tuesday Evening, December 6, 2011

Christkindl Markt – that’s what the Christmas Markets are called in Salzburg, Austria. Of course, that’s what I had to see the first night in Salzburg and I was not disappointed. These were the best so far! They were in the Old Town in the Dom Platz and surrounding area. There was plenty of wonderful foods and smells, churchs bell ringing, chestnuts roasting, and Christmassy stalls jam packed with items to enjoy looking and browsing through to fire up the old Christmas spirit. Plus there was beautiful Christmas music playing (as there should be – after all – this is where “Silent Night” was written and the home of Mozart). The lights and decorations added to the ambiance of the occasion. After strolling (and eating) our way through the Markets, I went to dinner and it started to snow!! HUGE snow flakes that covered everything in moments! It was amazing! Plus I should add that the whole city is decorated everywhere you look. Truly all I had hoped it would be. BTW, snow is in the forecast for our whole stay. Hurray!!!