The Best of Europe Day 14
The Best of Europe
Day 14 Friday September 19, 2003 - Munich
It is a good thing we had our alarm set, as the hotel computers were not functioning and no one got a wake up call this morning. We did get up at 5:45 and had our luggage out at 6:20.
I went down to the front desk and told the clerk that we did not get calls. He began calling the Trafalgar guests by hand, how did we ever live without computers????
Our breakfast was very nice, a full hot buffet and that seems to make folks happy in the morning. We had a few minutes left on our Big Net card so we checked the mail and then were ready to head across the border to Germany and to Hitler’s Eagles Nest.
Veronica joined us again this morning for our tour of Hitler’s former conference center which was a gift for his 50th birthday by Martin Boorman. We got an excellent historical account of the German economy and the events that led to the acceptance of Hitler and the Nazi Party by the German people.
We got to the main parking area in our big bus and then had several minutes to use the rest rooms, see a scale model of the layout of the whole Obersalzberg area, and look at the historical pictures of the area in Hitler’s days.
We then transferred to their own busses, big enough to hold our whole group. On the way up, Veronica again gave us accounts of the building of the road and the whole area as a gift for Hitler. This was built in only 13 months by 2000 Italian workers hired by Boorman.
The road leading to the parking area was blasted out of solid rock, and had spectacular switch-backs. The road is only a single lane, but the communication between the drivers is excellent and there are a few pull-overs where they can wait until traffic going down is able to pass.
We got off of their bus and went directly to the original tunnel and then up in the copper and brass elevator to the top of the mountain. The ride is only 41 seconds, but we went up 407 feet through the center of the mountain!
We found ourselves at 6060 feet in altitude and the air was crisp. We were able to go into the main dining room, Eva Braun’s room, the main dining room and the famous fireplace.
We went outside, took photos, walked around the whole complex and saw the outstanding sights. We climbed to the peak but had to rush back as we only had limited time in this historical area.
The trip down the mountain was just as beautiful, the leaves are beginning to turn and it will snow here soon. As it snows early at this altitude, the whole site will close down in early October and be snowed in for the rest of the winter.
We drove back to the hotel to pick the others who did not go on this optional tour, had a short stop while Jurgen loaded their luggage and by 11:20 we left Salzburg and were on our way to Munich.
What a beautiful drive and a gorgeous day. Everyone has told us how lucky we are to have such wonderful weather on this trip. The Bavarian country side has lush green valleys that look like they are manicured.
There are many bike paths and again we see people riding to work, with shopping bags, and just out for a leisurely ride. During this part of the trip we have seen lakes, castles, and Otmar told us there is a Disney style amusement park in this area.
As we entered Munich we saw it as a colorful city, one which was completely rebuilt after W. W. II. Tomorrow is the beginning of the famous Munich October Fest when the mayor of the city will tap the first keg of special beer.
This is one of the longest traditions in Europe, being celebrated for two weeks, the last of September and ending the first Sunday in October.
Jurgen let us off at the Plaza in front of the National Theater. We walked around the city center, crowded with so many people here to celebrate October Fest.
We found a nice little street café and had a sandwich and a coke - expensive but good. It is only money! We then walked around Marienplatz Square looking for an internet café.
There were many policemen in the are as there is a political rally this afternoon. Gennie asked one where we could find an internet and was told that the only one close by was at the main train station many blocks away. There were none in the city center!!!
We met the group back at the theater at 2:45 and boarded the bus for a city tour. Munich was the traditional city of the arts, and the Nazi’s built a huge center to celebrate the talent from all of Germany.
This is one of the few buildings still standing from that era. In our orientation through town, we saw the University, government buildings, residential neighborhoods, and the impressive Olympic grounds which was the site of the 1972 Summer Games.
We also saw the huge BMW corporate headquarters as well as that of Mercedes and Opel. We have noted the very expensive and well maintained cars of the German, Austrian and Swiss people.
We returned to the hotel for a 45 minute stop and then we were off to another evening optional tour and dinner. We drove down in to the heart of Munich's old town where we visited the world famous Hofbrauhaus,
We were served tankards of beer at wooden scrubbed tables to the sound of the oom pah pah bands. The place was packed with young and old, serving liter sized tankards of their beer.
As with most places here in Europe, we suffered through the cigarette smoke that is so prevalent all over. At 6:40 we were outside on the street and with Otmar.
The group walked to Marienplatz Square where we had a typical Bavarian dinner at the Donisl Restaurant. We had a great time and now know why we do not eat the heavy German food that is so popular here. I had beef and Gennie had the pork.
After leaving the restaurant, we walked back through the Square, shoulder to shoulder with the many happy German people on the eve of the Fest. There were thousands walking, sitting, enjoying the Friday evening in the company of others.
The bus trip to our Holiday Inn was lively as many had indulged a bit. We got back to the hotel and every one went to their room. I tried to send the previous day’s email but their computer was not cooperative.
At 10 PM the night manager allowed me to use their personal system but I still could not send the pictures. I tried several times - so I apologize for those who received multiple Day 13 journals.
This is one area where the Germans are not even close to the rest of the world. In cell phones, they are way ahead of the USA. Their system is awesome. Our Indian and South Africans friends are in constant communication with their homes, around the world for what it cost us to make a local call.
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