Another blog? By Jove! Well, as the title suggests, Michael flew out to Salzburg for his first European adventure. He got to come to Salzy at such a beautiful time: just before Christmas and a fresh blanket of snow for his arrival. We did so many things in the few days he was here!
Salzburg with Michael:
We climbed mountains (the Kapuzinerberg)
We hugged Mozart
We pointed at things
We went to Christmas markets (this one at Schloss Hellbrunn)
Schloss Hellbrunn is famous for its water tricks. During the summer, this outdoor table sprays water at unlucky dinner guests.
Then we traveled to Munich! We took a day trip to see two castles Hochschwanstein and Neuschwanstein (the Disney Castle).
Hochschwanstein. Crazy King Ludwig II spent his childhood here and it inspired him to build Neuschwanstein.
You have to walk up a mountain to get to Neuschwanstein. Cheaters take the horse and carriage.
Too bad the castle is currently under renovation...
Don't we look suave?
Hehe. Modern funny doorbell on the castle gate (Ludwig II, Richard Wagner-his composer buddy, Sisi-his cousin and future Empress etc)
This trip also featured me BREAKING THE LAW again by taking really sneaky pictures inside. Hence why they are blurry.
In the throne room
Also the throne room
Ballroom
what the castle would look like if it weren't covered by scaffolding
Ready for Christmas!
Looks like a postcard, don't it?
Munich was also dressed and ready for Christmas.
We went to the Hofbrauhaus (world famous!)
Michael actually ate the food I ordered for him.
There was a brass band!
This is Michael and me with our new buddy Fabian. He and his dad bought us a liter of beer because they was so impressed with my German. Nice.
We spent Christmas with the family in Hassloch with Käthe and the Weidenbach's. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures of that. Then we took an over night train and woke up in ROME!
The Coliseum.
St. Peters Square-The Vatican
The Vatican has GOT to have a Nativity display.
So many people!
And of course, my obligatory cute kids shot. Look at their hats!
We so cute.
Palm trees? Oh yeah. It was warm enough to go without jackets the first 2 days we were there.
Looking good, Michael.
In St. Peter's Basilica
The tomb of Pope John Paul II. Miss that guy.
The altar
St. Peter himself. Can't see it well here, but his feet are basically rubbed smooth from being touched by visitors.
The Dome
Trying to get a shot into St. Peter's Tomb (which we actually got to visit personally on a special tour of the excavations under the Basilica. Really cool tour.)
The Swiss Guard protects the Pope. (Funny outfits scare away would be assassins, obviously).
Pringle "gumball" machine? Only in Italy.
A band of musical Santas
This calendar is a real thing. It's basically a showcase of the younger, sexier side of the Church. Yeah, I just said that...
Haha funny vandalism to the sign.
The Trevi Fountain. Throw in a coin, make a wish, and you will come back!
This guy looks like he needs to puke. Just don't do it into the Fountain. I feel like that's bad luck.
An Egyptian obelisk. Romans like to steal things.
The Pantheon. Once a temple to all the Roman gods, now the "oldest" church in Rome
The ceiling of the Pantheon.
Tomb of the Unifier and first King of Italy
Roman Ruins
Castle of the Angels. Where Popes go to escape their attackers.
The River Tiber
Archangel Michael
View from the Castle
The Angel bridge
St. Peters in the distance
Archangel Michael again
We also visited other parts of the Palatinate. This included:
The tomb of Julius Caesar
A headless statue with which I am apparently enamored
And Julius himself.
I'm sad that my brother had to go back to the States, but I've still got some more traveling to do before January 28th. Hopefully another blog or two!
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