I think this place is Disneyland in real life. Castles, fairy tales, rides, food, and tomorrow land. I never thought of Germany or the Germans as being something I could relate to but after being here for the second time and this time just by ourselves to wander I came to the serendipitous conclusion that we really are from the same family. We both love nature, chocolate, icecream, and bread with jams and cheeses. What else does a happy family need.
We spent a whole week in Munich while Kent was at a work conference. So the kids and I just rode the subway and visited parks and museums everyday. It was fun because everyone assumed we were German and spoke to us in German even when I told them we don”t sprecken deutsch. I thought Germans were strict and fierce but everyone was so friendly and helpful. The kids decided that they wanted to live in Germany and I don’t blame them.
After Munich we visited Neuschwanstein castle and a beautiful church way out in the country. Then off we went back in time to medieval Rottenburg. This was a place of magic…… Our own corner of the castle wall with its private church yard and situated 90 feet high safe from enemy intruders. All to ourselves with spring wild flowers and wild grasses underfoot and grand wooden gates with gruesome gargoyle knockers. No one but us to share the whole place, except the little granny in durndle to show us our rooms–cackle cackle. We felt a little bit like Hansel and Gretel hoping not to get eaten by next day. No worries I think but we did have our own chef to prepare what ever we wanted for breakfast, besides all the fruits and berries and yogurts and sausages and cheeses and juices and hot chocolate and…PASTRIES! Were they fattening us up for the kill?
To keep us from slinking into slumber we walked the coblestone streets, peering into antique diamond shaped windows of stores selling quaint old school wooden toys and and traditional German treats. The kids loved visiting the torture museum and Anthea loved the flower boxes in every porch, doorway, and windowsill. We loved our big breakfasts, our bread and sausage lunches, and ice cream cone dinners. Gelatos everywhere for a buck. I am telling you it was all pure magic!!