Grüsti…
That´s Swiss German for Greetings. There are tonnes of dialects that are so different they´re almost different languages. I don´t remember what the austrian version is (let alone spell it…I had someone spell Grüsti for me…).
Germany was great, I really enjoyed seeing the different cities and towns. I think last time I wrote I was in Berlin. What a fun city. I did a bike tour there too (I did one in Munich as well). I didn’t get to ride a bike as hilarious as the Shwinn from Munich, but the mountain bike was brand new and really nice… The bike tour took most of the day and we saw everything. The guide knew alot, and gave us lots of advice about what to do and where to go after the tour was over. It was interesting to see so many different sights around a city that was once divided. It’s hard to tell the difference between the two sides now, but there are a few differences (these are better explained by photos when I get home.). Most of the best things to do are on the East side of where the wall was, the best stores and the historical monuments.
Berlin is a very green city with tonnes of bike paths everywhere. One place to visit in Berlin that’s not advertised is this museum done by the government explaining Berlin and Germany’s history. I spent one morning there, and it was well worth it. It was hard to read about what happened as a result of Hitler, yet the museum and the tour guide presented it really well.
After leaving Berlin, I took a train to Heidelberg. It is such a cute town! I fell in love with the place. Of course Heidelberg has it´s castle and cobblestone streets — like many European Cities. Heidelberg is definitly on my list of places to live if given the chance…
I spent an evening in Heidelberg with a group of Americans, and we got talking about our trip plans. It´s interesting the different types of trips that people plan. I´ve met up with so many Americans who plan these huge whirlwind trips to many major ´touristy´cities that last for two or three weeks. I´ve also met up with Australians or New Zealanders who travel for a few years working their way around the world. I think I´m glad I´ve planned this trip the way I have; there´s too much to see to make a short trip worth it. At the same time, I´ll be glad not to have to live out of a 70 liter pack for longer than these two months.
After Heidelberg I made my way to Switzerland, but only for two nights. I spent my time in Lucerne (another city on my list of favorites). It´s the perfect town for the Swiss experience on a short time (IMHO). It´s as expensive as everywhere else (it costs the equivalent of 10$cdn for a 12″ sub…), on a gorgeous lake and surrounded by the alps. One my days there I spent up Mt Pilatus (7000 ft / 2132 m). I hiked part way up (I knew I should have done the Grouse Grind in Preparation…) and then caught the cable car the rest of the way up. I didn´t hike all the way because the top part requires ropes and harnesses (and experience). It was nice to get out of the city a bit. Once at the top I had a great view of the surrounding area. Apparently Mt. Pilatus gets it´s name from Pontius Pilate, who is –allegedly– buried somewhere on the mountain… (I don´t know the authenticity of the information, the legend of the place also includes Dragons…so I doubt it…).
I spent my time in Lucerne with Garrick and Michelle (mother and son). They´re originally from Michigan but have been living in Europe for the past 15 years (Michelle´s husband was in a chess tournament, so I didn´t meet him). It was so nice to be with people who understand the language of the area!
At the moment I´m in Salzburg. It´s a great town. I spent this morning visiting Mozart´s House. I managed to restrain myself from spending any money on CD´s… He had an interesting life, and I am amazed at how young he started composing (by the age of 7 apparently!). It impressed me because when I was his age I had to be convinced to practice (right Mom and Dad…).
Anyhow, I must head off. Tomorrow I´m probably going on a ´Sound of Music´ tour… Cheezy and touristy but they´re supposed to be fun! After that I´m heading to Vienna where I am determined to see the spanish riding school!
Take Care, everyone! Christina