On the Road in Germany: Hohentuebingen Castle

Hohentuebingen Castle

When Amy took us to her old stomping ground, Tübingen, Germany, we went up the hill to the castle which is used by the University of Tübingen for various purposes--including archery practice.  It may be difficult to see, but I am shooting at a brown, straw target.

Minerva with Her Gorgon Shield and Her Sacred Owl--The Goddess of Wisdom

It is also home to the classics department.  This is my kind of castle. 

On the Road in Germany: Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle as seen from Marienbrücke

On the border of Bavaria and Austria lies a picturesque castle, like something ripped from a fairy tale.  While Amy has much better photos to show you later, this photo captures something very special about our journey to Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Disney's portrayal of Sleeping Beauty's abode.

We decided to go to the castle on the second day of our trip, despite it being a bit out of the way.  Though Amy and her parents could have gone at another point during their travels, they were gracious enough to go out of their way to take me!  We went down winding roads for hours before coming to a detour sign a 30-minute drive from the castle.  All we could do was turn and hope for the best.  While our GPS, dubbed "Carol", repeatedly told us to turn around, we kept driving.  Carol offered no assistance but a big old green arrow instructing us to go back where we came from.  Eventually, though, we found another road and we were back on track.  We were not even that behind schedule!  As we approached our destination, I pointed at a huge mass of scaffolding in the distance.  "Is that it?"

It was.  We reached the village of Hohenschwangau in the valley below the castle and could see little for all of the scaffolding.  We inquired about a tour and discovered that it would be two hours until we could even get into the castle.  We decided that even if it was covered in scaffolding and we could not enter, we would go up to see the castle.  We took a bus up to where we were told it was a 15 minute walk to the castle.  One trail marker directed us to the castle, the other to a bridge with an excellent vantage point.  We hoped that we could see something other than construction.  

When I saw Marienbrücke, the bridge with a view, I was so excited.  It was full of people but clearly would be the best way to see the castle.  

Then I set foot on the bridge itself.  

The flimsy wooden boards under my feet creaked and buckled with each step*.  I foresaw myself falling through into the waterfall below.  I took stock and realized that if it were a more rushing waterfall, maybe I would land just beyond it and swim to shore.  But as it stood, I imagined falling to my death on the rocks far under my feet.  I gripped the metal railing, and held on for dear life.  This is coming from someone who is not even afraid of heights.  I am not afraid of being up high in a well-supported structure.  I relish it sometimes!  Some of my fellow travelers never enjoy heights, even in a very sturdy, enclosed building.  Amy gave me her camera and sent me out to take pictures.  But somehow, she swallowed her fear and made it to the middle of the bridge so that this photo could be snapped of us!  So yes, we look awful.  We looked terrified.  And rightly so!  Nevertheless, I love this photo because it reminds me how good it felt to overcome everything that day and see this beautiful castle.

*Nota bene: Upon further inspection, we probably would not have fallen to our deaths.  There was apparently a lot of steel under our feet, plenty of girders and what-have-you.  However, it did not feel like that at the time.  

Little Friends on the Road

I made the acquaintance of these three lovely individuals in one day of our trip!  

Bebenhausen Kloster (near Tuebingen, Germany)

Bebenhausen Kloster (near Tuebingen, Germany)

Schloss Hohentuebingen (Tuebingen, Germany)

Flat Stanley's Visit

A Walk Around Prague

With Flat Stanley

When I went home this winter, my oldest niece sent me back to Prague with an assignment. Her class had read a book titled Flat Stanley about a boy who dreams of a California vacation. However, his family does not have the money to pay for a flight. One morning, Flat Stanley's bulletin board falls on him and he is smushed to a quarter inch thick. Now, his mother is able to mail Flat Stanley to many different, exciting locations across the world. 

My job was to take pictures of Flat Stanley with me around Prague to send back to my niece's class. I was so excited to take on the assignment and be able to show my niece the amazing places around Prague. I thought this adorable idea was worth a share with our readers as well. :)

Charles Bridge

 To start the day, Flat Stanley and I took a visit to the Charles Bridge. This is one of the top sites in Prague. The Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge in Prague with construction beginning in 1357. It allowed for the city to grow and thrive throughout history and was vital for early commerce. 

Prague Castle

 The second stop was the view of the Prague Castle from the Charles Bridge. The history of the castle goes back to 870 and is still in use today. It functions as the seat of the Czech government and is where they keep the crown jewels. The Prague Castle was built in the Gothic style and is one of the largest castles in the world. 

Vlatava River

 On our walk across the bridge, Flat Stanley decided he wanted to go for a swim in the Vltava River. This river runs right through the center of Prague and is the longest river in the Czech Republic. The river has allowed the city to be a major trading post throughout its extensive history.  

Graffiti in Prague

We found this graffiti inspired advertisement for a party that had come and gone. However, we took the opportunity to teach Flat Stanley how to drive in this appropriately-sized vehicle.

Traditional Czech Meal

 We were tempted to stop for a traditional Czech meal of pork knuckle and a beer, but decided to keep adventuring on instead.  

Kafka Statue

 While wandering through the Jewish Quarter we came across this Kafka-inspired statue. Kafka was born to German-speaking Jewish parents in Prague in 1883 and lived until 1924. He was a modernist existentialist writer and his most famous work is The Metamorphosis. 

Trdelnik

 Our last stop was for trdelnik, a traditional Czech dessert. It is made from dough that is cooked on a spit and then sprinkled with sugar and walnut. 

 I hope that you have enjoyed sharing in Flat Stanley's adventures through Prague. He had a great trip and I am hoping that he is out there exploring many other exciting places!

<3 Amy

Prague, An Introduction.

Prague, An Introduction.

Charles Bridge (Karlův most) and the Prague Castle (Pražký hrad)

Prague: The Mother of Cities, The City of A Thousand Spires, The Golden City.  For over a thousand years, this city on the Vltava has been home to royalty and artists, to the famous and the infamous, to prosperity and peril.  The city is full of monuments to Europe's great and often troubled history.  This city has long been the stomping ground of expatriates and artists who find inspiration in the people and places around them.  In our time here, we have found many things to love. 

Petrin Lookout Tower (Petřínská rozhledna)

  The Petrin Lookout Tower is one of the most famous sites in Prague.  The tower is certainly reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  This tower sits atop Petrin Hill, a large city park.  While the metal structure of the tower itself is shorter than the Eiffel tower, its placement on the hill means that the top of the tower is actually at a higher altitude than the top of Eiffel tower in Paris.  It is often said that the Czechs wanted to make their own Eiffel tower but did not have the funds to build a taller structure which is why they placed it on the hill.  To be fair, this story certainly cannot be corroborated with any legitimate facts other than the height and location.  While one may take a lift to the top, the cheaper and more exciting journey is 299 stairs to the top.  However, if you are not a thrill-seeker, you might want to avoid going on a windy day.    

Žižkov TV Tower

   While places like the Lookout Tower are beautiful and timeless, we sometimes prefer things a bit more offbeat.  Welcome to our view of Prague.  One of our favorite places is the TV tower in the wonderful neighborhood of Žižkov.  Construction began in 1985, in a style popular in the Soviet bloc at the time.  In 2000, the sculptures of Czech artist David Černý were added to the tower.  His juxtaposition of art and socialist structures is something that we particularly enjoy about this city.  Wonder what those things on the tower are, exactly?

Baby Statue, Kampa Island

  That's right.  They are babies.  Giant babies.  Giant babies without a faces.  And we love them.  There are three of these sculptures on Kampa Island.  As you can see from the bronzing from the hands, legs, and back, these babies are really popular to climb on.  

Statue in the courtyard of the Kafka Museum by David Černý

  Nearby, at the Kafka Museum, there is another popular statue by David Černý,  This statue is of, well, two men urinating into a pool in the shape of the Czech Republic.  Because... why not?  As their members move along with their upper-bodies, these men write out, in water, quotations from famous Czech authors.  

  We hope to spend the rest of our time here blogging about these things we love.  And other things we love.    Expect knitting, crafting, thrifting, self-researched tours, cooking, and all of the other lovely things we find along the way.  

-Amy & Colleen