Rome and Lido

We took a walk around Rome today . . .

 

 

. . . And we saw the Pantheon

 

Then we went to a large park and rented bicycles. Lindsey, Kelsey, Rachael and I rode a four-person bike. Kelsey drove and I screamed.

 

 

 

Then we took a train to Lido and some people dipped their toes in the Mediterranean sea. We saw a beautiful sunset.

 

 

Tomorrow we head to the Vatican.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Rome

We left the busy Munich Hauptbanhof (train station) yesterday evening and had another train adventure. The first train was delayed because of damage to the front car (we think), and therefore we only had five minutes two catch our second train at midnight. It was tense, but we made it.

Munich Haupbanhof

 

We arrived in Rome at 9:20 this morning (Sunday). We were greeted with warm sunshine. We gladly left our bags and heavy coats at the hotel and headed off to see the sights.

We had a great tour of the Coliseum and the Forum. We learned that the lions were kept in darkness underneath the stage, so when they were raised up into the direct sunlight on moving platforms, they were blinded by the light and were at a disadvantage. That way, not so many expensively trained gladiators got eaten by lions.

The outside of the Coliseum. The shows were free, and people sat according to social rank. Entrances were marked with red Roman numerals above the arches.

Arch design that allowed the Romans to build such a strong structure.

 

You can see underneath the arena area here. Also, the white blocks in the background are the original marble that once covered the structure. The seats were marble and there was a red canvas awning that protected the audience from the sun.

 

Better view of the rooms below the arena stage where the lions and gladiators waited to fight.

I think what struck me the most in the ruins of the Forum were the scattered blocks of marble and statues that gave a glimpse into the grandeur of the original structure.

We finished off the day with a visit to the Trevi fountain and some much-loved gelato.

Neptune and two horses--one docile and one out of control--representing the unpredictable nature of the sea.

Many favors of gelato were sampled . . .

Some people went back for seconds!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Dachau

Today we saw Dachau concentration camp in a cold rain. The weather seemed appropriate for the subject matter.

"Work will set you free."

We had a very good guide, a retired German history professor. He explained to us that all German schoolchildren are required to visit a concentration camp as part of their education in the hopes that the atrocities committed by the Nazis will not be repeated.

The kitchen and cells for priests were in this building.

Dachau was not an extermination camp, but a work camp where political and religious dissidents were held. Catholic priests who spoke out against the Nazi campaign to exterminate disabled people were imprisoned here. Over 40,000 people died at Dachau from disease, torture, malnutrition, etc. The is a gas chamber at Dachau, but it was not used for mass executions. No one knows why.

 

 

Bunks

 

Plaque marking mass graves.

 

Plaque honoring American soldiers who liberated prisoners at Dachau.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Castles of Mad King Ludwig II

Today we took a tour bus and visited several castles commissioned by "mad" King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

First, we rode a double decker bus over a mountain pass, which was an adventure in itself!

 

Then we saw a small castle King Ludwig II built in imitation of Versailles. We could not take pictures inside the castle, but Ludwig was a recluse, so he had the dining room built with a table for one, and the table lowered into the kitchen so it could be set with food and then pulleyed up to him without him having to see any servants.If he had to have important guests, he would have a large flower arrangement placed in front of him so he would not have the see the guests! Then he would eat as quickly as possible, and everyone else would have to stop eating because he was the king.

 

You can see the fancy gold plating as we wait to go into the castle.

 

The castle also has a garden.

Then we went to Neufschwanstein castle (New-swan-stone) castle, which was only one third finished when Ludwig died a mysterious early death. It was opened for tours sixteen days after his death. This castle was the inspiration for cinderella's castle at Disneyworld. The rooms have themes from Wagner operas.

 

the castle Kind Ludwig grew up in is also nearby. It is the yellow castle below.

We also stopped at a charming Bavarian village and enjoyed walking around and seeing the houses and the shops.

Tomorrow we got to Dachau concentration camp. We are very interested to go, but it will be much more serious than our day today looking at the giant ceramic swans of King Ludwig II. Then an overnight train to Rome, so I probably will not be able to post until Sunday.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Salzburg

We took a day trip today from Munich to Salzburg. It was cold and somewhat snowy, and the town was beautiful. We took the Funicular to the fortress at the top of the mountain that protected the town for 1000 years.

 

We also saw the Dom cathedral where Mozart played and some people went through the Mozart museum.

We went in the shops and cafes--our favorite was the apple strudel.

Chad enjoying an apple strudel

Tomorrow we take a bus to Neuschwanstein Castle; should be some very pretty pictures of the Cinderella castle.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Munich

We took the train into Munich yesterday. Our hotel is only a block and a half from the train station, so that is nice.

Entrance to Marienplatz

Today we walled to the Marienplatz, the town center and market, where we visited many shops and tried the delicacies offered by the food booths, including pretzels straight from the oven, fried shrimps, bratwurst, and chocolate with hot peppers in it (I found out about the. Hot pepperswhen I bit into the chocolate!). At the market, everyone eats well, even the dogs. I saw dogs hdepartment stores as well!

 

I wenT to a bakery, and I wanted a chocolate bun, but I didn't know what is was called, so I had to stand in the line where the cashier was right by the chocolate buns so I could point to it. Other customers thought I was odd when they went around me to other open cashiers, but I did get the chocolate bun!

 

We saw the Glockenspiel clock. On the hour, bells chime and dancing figures revolve. Two knights even come out of the clock and make several passes at each other;finally, one knight knocks the other down.

 

 

We also went up in several towers today. One had 300 steps to climb (two students counted the steps).

 

We also went to the Olympic park--fortunately, there was an elevator to the top.

We saw the BMW museum and a great view of Munich from the top

 

 

Tomorrow we take a train to Salzburg, Austria.

 

Posted with Blogsy