Hello all! We are back from our first little trip and there is lots to talk about and I hope you're ready to read. And if you're not, that's ok too. So, we spent a couple weeks in the wonderful city of Prague and it was time to see what else Europe had to offer. When we were at the castle the other day I overheard an older bloke saying that Prague is the greatest city in all of Europe and I believed him. He had glasses and was very wise looking and had an english (uk) accent so he reminded me of some brilliant english (uk) professor from England (Old, not New). I trusted him like wikipedia and it made me skeptical of the rest of Europe. Alli assured me, however, that there were many a splendid things to see out there and that I should stop worrying and the english bloke looked like a twit to her. By the way, this young women, Allison, whom goes by the name of Alli, is by far the greatest and wisest travel companion one could ever have, and if you ever go on a trip, I advise you take her with you too.
By now I'm sure you all know where we were headed over the next few days as we have already written about it in our day 7 section. For you first timers out there we were headed to Berlin, Germany- Hamburg, Germany- Stockholm, Sweden - Copenhagen, Denmark-Munich, Germany. I decided to write with countries this time so nobody had to open a new tab and Google it. So, that was our game plan and that was what we stuck to. Monday morning we got on the city train to Berlin and we were off.
This is the actual train we were on. They put cameras on the tracks and then take a picture as you go by. When you get off at your destination you can buy a pic for 30$ a pop. It's just like at Six Flags, and you're supposed to stick your head out and make a funny face but I was too afraid of an approaching train coming and knocking my head off. I think it was smarter this way. Our first stop was Berlin, it was just a connection, and they don't really take pictures as you go by on the trains. The train stations are easy enough to figure out and we didn't run into any trouble during the duration of the trip.
We found what we think to have been part of the Berlin wall but can't be 100% for sure. Looked it up when we got back but still not sure. You can check it out too and let us know what you find. Below is a picture where this little monument is located so look to some markers to help us discover the truth. We really didn't get far into the city but saw a memorial for the first person killed by trying to cross the wall, so I guess this was where the wall was, and, on a lighter note, the world sand castle competition. We didn't want to spend money so we didn't go in, but we could see some of the castles from the road and they were simply amazing. I really didn't know you could do that with sand/see any reason to ever do anything like that with sand. Temporary art is somewhat sad to me. (Oh Barry)
Next we hopped on the one after 909 and were on our way to Hamburg! I really wanted to go to Hamburg because that is where the Beatles went to make it big. We didn't get to get out of the train station, however, but at least now I can say I've been to Hamburg and I can be a true Beatles fan. We might make it back there on another trip perhaps.
NEXT! Hamburg to Stockholm. Along the way are train suddenly pulled into a dark tunnel and stopped. We were then told to get off the train and really had no idea what was going on. We weren't really told actually, some guy came in and said something, people don't speak English there so it was kinda impossible to understand, but then we saw people getting up and leaving. One thing we read online, which is very good advice, was when traveling on the rail to follow what others do and so we got up and off the train. As it would turn out it was no tunnel at all, but a ferry to get us across the great Denmark sea, or sound, or channel, or whatever it might have been. This was quite exciting!
... And cold! Yay for ferries. I had been saying that I wanted to take at least one on one of our trips, and then unexpectedly, Poof! it happened. It was fun at first, Alli and I were on top of the world. But, then...
She didn't have a chance to take her Dramamine! : ( , but it was only a short little trip across and she didn't have to bear it for long! Once we got across we got on one more train, and were ready to sleep. We slept in a couchette, which is a 6 passenger little dormitory, and had a wonderful little ride. At first there was only 4 of us in our little room, but at around mid-night two new guys boarded and stunk of cheap, cheap cologne. It was awful and we were barely able to breath. Luckily enough, Alli had just recently purchased her blue scarf and was able to use it as a gas mask. I, on the other hand, was not quite as lucky and passed out after holding my breath for too long. When I woke up we were in Stockholm and it was time to get off, though, the stench was still there, and the hairy man who's stench it was.
We sprinted off the train and found this lovely picturesque bridge, that we subsequently turned into a pictured, picturesque bridge, with an alley to boot! No!
Here's an Alli in an alley to boot! Stockholm is full of these wonderful little alleys and Alli had to stand in all of them. It was like she had never seen one before!
Stockholm is beautiful and it is one of my favorite places ever. It smelled good. It was a little bit on the cold side but we were prepared.
The blue scarf is a miracle invention. Not only is it a blue scarf, but it can also be a gas mask, and as modeled here by Alli, a nice blue hijab!!!!!!
Boats!!! There are lots of boats in Stockholm and I needed to get my picture taken with one of them because I have always felt I look like a seaman and that hat really helps.
Speaking of boats.... this boat sank in 1628 on its maiden voyage right after leaving the harbor. Then in the 1960's they thought it would be a good idea to pull it up and so they did. If you want more info go here -
Vasa.
It really was an incredible thing to see and almost 95% of it was still perfectly intact. If you ever go to Sweden, I think you should put this on your list. Look at those little carved men. It doesn't get much better than that. The only thing that is different is these little sculptures on the front would have been all brightly colored which it shows you at the museum. After we saw the Vasa, we went to the number 1 tourist attraction in all of Sweden, Skansen! It's easy for me to remember because it rhymes with Branson and, although I've never been there, reminds me of it. Skansen is the oldest open air museum in all of Sweden and it was founded in the 1891. Inside the the hallowed walls of
Skansen are images from Sweden's past, the ways Swedes have lived through the ages, and also animals from all around the majestic country. We actually stumbled upon the place after leaving the museum because I (this is Alli now)had to go and look at these beautiful flowers!
Here is a 1930s swedish baker. In all of the stores they actually do what they would have done and sell what they would have sold. So, here at the bakery, we could get some fresh just baked swedish pastries.
This man is the glass blower. He made a bowl!
Here is the carpenter.
And here is his shop!
Why did we go all the way to Sweden when we could have just seen this little fellow in the Knox's back yard? I guess we're just really extravagant spenders!
Ox! Don't know why we put this guy in here. He was pretty boring.
These bears were by far our favorites and we watched them for quite a while! Look how funny that little guy is. He made me want to hop over the barbed wire fence and wrestle around with him. He's just so darn cute!
Bear fight!!! These guys hated each other. I think the one of the left won. Not sure though, brown bears all look alike.
Ka Pow!
Blam!
Hoo - Hoo. Owls are so wise they should always have to wear glasses.
That's the big momma bear. She was the only brown bear I could tell apart, but not because she looked different, she was just big.
More peacocks!
This was the laziest seal I have ever seen in my life. Real chill. Wouldn't mind being a seal. Maybe one day.
MOOSE!!!!!!! Actually an Elk, but I really wanted him to be a moose. The moose is the most adored animal in all of Sweden and is their national mascot. Prague's, by the way, is the
mole. They love that little guy there.
Stockholm really is a great place.
Here we are after Skansen, about to find some food, and then to get back onto the overnight train to Denmark! There was a pretty view behind us, but we didn't capture it unfortunately!
Now, we are back to Copenhagan, we had been there before once...and have now returned for a longer visit. On the first visit we made a mistake I will admit. We were hungry, and cold and tired, and it was a buffet pizza place...it sounded perfect. From now on, however, we will check the exchange rate before we head out of the train station. Good thing the pizza was delicious! One of the first things we do when we get to a city we should mention is hunt for a map, preferably a free one! Then we try to find where we are on the map!!! So far this is really are only priority when we get to a city, we don't mind if we miss something or don't see everything, this is important to keep in mind as we share Copenhagen with you. The picture above is just one on our walk out and about in the city...your lucky we didn't take pictures of the first area we traveled...it was a little risque for our taste and we quickly headed in another direction!
Here is Barry, enriching his mind from this plaque as we are entering a courtyard of royal grounds.
This is a statue on the outside of Parliament. We think he had a headache, and Barry wanted to share that I haven't had a headache the whole trip (like since the wedding!)...I got one the next day.
This is what we spent the remainder of our day in Copenhagen doing. Napping is great. Sweden exhausted us, and the Royal Gardens in Copenhagen were just what the Dr. ordered. We moved various times in and out of the shade, it is cold, but the sun is hot! This specific picture is taken when Barry had woken up, I wasn't ready to move yet obviously! I do not like to be woken up! By the way, as I am typing this Barry is practicing his Czech, I think he is getting the hang of it.
From Copenhagen we hopped on a night train, and headed for Munich. This train left at around 5pm so we had time to meet and chat with the people we were going to be sleeping with! It was a woman in her 60s or 70s and her son. Her name was Sue, and she cracked us up (in our head not like she was humorous). They had just gone to a family reunion in Sweden, I think she enjoyed it, but she didn't show it. They were good company and had lots of travel books which was nice. They're destination was Munich as well, but they had been there before. They filled us in a bit, and told us they were going to see Dachau. Barry really wanted to go too, so we got the information on how to travel there from Munich, and planned to as well. I think some of our pictures that follow are pretty heavy, but we want to share our experience all the same. The concentration camp advises people be at least of 12 years of age. Barry says I am such a teacher.
This is the memorial in the center of Dachau.
This means "shower" in German. For some reason, the gas chamber put into Dachau was not ever put to use, they do not know why. Through the door is the gas chamber.
As prisoners arrived to Dachau they entered through this gate, it reads "work shall set you free."
Dachau was a really sad experience. It is hard for us and you as well I am sure to understand such a tragedy. It was a good experience though. We also walked around the town of Dachau a little bit before we went to the concentration camp. It is a really nice town, and we bought some great sandwiches and a pastry at local bakery. They did not really speak English there...but they were able to tell us it was "too wide" to walk to the camp like we were planning, so helpful!
This is Barry and I waiting for the subway to take us from Dachau back to Munich...it is called the S-bahn, and we get to ride it free with our Eurail pass! Very nice! We are just about to enjoy our sandwiches, which we then decided once we got on the subway we should have bought 800 more of!
Now we are exploring Munich! Here is an awesome fountain. Isn't it cool? Note: Batteries are running low in camera by Munich!
This is the
Glockenspiel, we didn't see it chime, apparently it is really loud though and it goes off three times a day. It was an awesome building.
Have we mentioned all of Europe is under construction??? Try to take a closer look at the picture and notice the entire thing is fake and it is a cover with a fake facade of the building, and of course an advertisement. Strange!
Well, we are back in lovely Prague now. Thinking about setting off soon...
Miss and love you all so much. We love hearing from you!!!
Na videnou! (We finally remembered how to spell that this post!)
