Bavarian dreamin'

So Flannery and I took the train from Salzburg to Munich that Saturday, the 10th, and since we could not check into our kookie but hilarious hostel, Wombat's, we decided to head straight on to our next destination day trip, the Neuschwanstein Castle, a fairytale-esque castle that many romantics believe to be the inspiration for the Disney Castle. It was beyond breathtaking. We took a horse drawn carriage up to the top-- along the way putting our Spanish to good use when we met this sweet old Mexican couple. When we got to the top, all there was left to do was take it the insane snow frosted landscape and imagine ourselves as princesses with impossibly long blond hair flowing from some turret from high in the fortress. 

The next day we took another train to Dachau, one of the first concentration camps built during the WW2 era. It was not one of the places where you make kissy faces and pose with statues, but rather a more somber place where, seeing as it was so still and quite, it seemed as if even nature itself revered the place. It was an afternoon of reflection and learning, and I found myself feeling almost a little ignorant. Sometimes you really have to be in the presence of something to actually feel its impact and significance. 

That night we went to this awweesome beer hall called Augustiner Stuben, one of the Augustiner houses which more or less caters to its more local crowd, making the prices of drinks and its insane Bavarian cuisine totally reasonable. We befriended the waiter, Tommy, who called our menu recommendation from the hostel "total shit" and guided us loyally in the right direction.

The next day we finally stayed in Munich and took advantage of one of those free daily tours from the hostel. It was great. We saw all of the major sites in Munich and learned a crap load of its history as well. I could not even contain myself when the guide mentioned they now sell ladies' underpants in vending machines at the Hofbrauhaus. Why, you ask? I  have no idea. Europe is so weird. We went back and saw Tommy that night. 

I know that we complained a lot about ND being totally lacking in presence during this winter break, but let's face it. Between Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, England, Austria and Germany I think I can say this break was the best ever. More to come soon. I have been having trouble getting to sleep early, but the good news is Katie is sleeping through the night again for the first time in over a year!