A few extra days in Bavaria

A quick flight over the Dolomite mountains and we were in Munich.

Our hotel is just outside Nymphemberg castle where we enjoyed walking around the palace grounds.  Kendall was so excited to hear the crunch of the frosty ground and the many different water birds.

Midday we set off to Marienplatz to meet Barbara, my German exchange sister from the summer of 1986.   Almost thirty years later we immediately recognized each other amongst the Christmas Market crowds.

We walked al around the city, until night fell on Marianplatz. The Christmas lights were beautiful.

The next day it was off to Ludwig's castles, a two hour rail and bus trip from Munich.   What beautiful views of snow covered mountain tops as we approached.

Below is Hohenschwangau, summer palace of Ludwig's parents.  From here Ludwig watched his own castle Neuschwanstein (above) being built. 17 years later he moved in, but only for 171 days before he was dethroned and died.

Views of the snow covered countryside from the castle perched above. We took a horse carriage ride up to the castle and walked down.

Night had fallen as we arrived back down at the bus station.

Day 3: Dachau

Memorial to the unknown 

Barracks

The sheer magnitude of the site is overwhelming. It was a cold, frosty morning -- appropriate. The place empties you, but it is so important to go since we must remember. Below is a commemorative memorial designed by one of the survivors.

We will never forget.

And quite a change of pace for the afternoon:  BMW Welt and Museum, and dinner with Barbara:

An original Rolls Royce

To the vision cars of the future.

The festive sights and smells of another market on the way to dinner with Barbara.

Friday we enjoyed the Deutches Museum. Fantastic exhibits on all types of manufacturing (metal, paper, clay, biomedical and nano science, etc.) The most talked about exhibit is the one on mining.

We ended our week and our time in Europe with a special meal at the French bistro La Brasserie.  French onion soup, shrimp, steak, sea bass, pork, many sauces, wine and desserts were savored as we shared our memories of our four months and our hopes for the future.

And Saturday we are off to the states-- we will see Jazzy and baby Ryan by the end of the night :)