Travelling the Romantic Road

Finally, a day to sleep in! We enjoyed one more hot breakfast at the Holiday Inn. I’m not sure, but that might have been one of the best meals my dad tasted. He really enjoyed it. After storing our luggage and checking out of the hotel, we ventured to the Marienplatz in the center of Munich to watch the “Glochenspiel” on the top of the tower. The plaza filled with people in a matter of ten minutes. As I went to get money from the ATM, a friendly German befriend my parents and shared his Munich pride with them. He explained to them that by walking the streets of Munich you could easily tell where the American bombs fell in 1942. The destroyed homes were built 5 meters back from the street in order to provide wider streets. The surviving houses sit at the edge of the street.

At 11:00 a.m. sharp, the bells began to ring and the figures in the glockenspiel gave a 15 minute performance that was worth the wait.

Our next adventure was to the site of the 1972 Olympic Games. When at the Olympic Park, we went to the top of the Olympic Tower which is 291.28 meters high. By doing this, I was able to prove to my dad that you can see the mountains from Munich. Every other church tower that we had been, we had seen nothing but a hazy skyline. Also at the top of the tower, was the world’s highest (in altitude) Rock n’ Roll museum in the world.

Heading back to the hotel, we arrived at a station in which we had to switch trains. As we were trying to get off the train, the door that we were standing at wouldn’t open. Meanwhile, people were getting on the train from the other side, so my mom and I made our way to another door. As the train moved out, my mom and I noticed that my dad was not with us. We were both very nervously looking into the windows of the train to see if my dad was still on there. As the train pulled out of the station, my mom and I realized that we were on one side of the train and that my dad was on the other side. That was the only time that we “almost” lost each other the entire trip.

We retrieved our luggage from the Holiday Inn and took a four-hour train ride to Rothenburg, a medieval walled city in the north of Bavaria on the Romantic Road. Our hotel was above a bakery, called Café Uhl, within the walled city. This city is Germany’s best-preserved walled city with some buildings more than 1000 years old. Our room was on the 4th floor and had a window that looked out at the street right next to the Siebers Tower, which is from 1835!

After a quick dinner, we met Hans in the Market Square for the Night Watchman’s Tour. We loved this tour of the city at dusk! He shared life in the city as it was in the 1300’s. A night watchman’s job was to protect the town at night, warning the citizens of fire or unwelcome guests. It was a tour filled with seriousness and laughter and would be recommended to all who visit this true German town.

A trip to the Alps

We had a very early departure from the Holiday Inn and made our way by train to the mountain range known as the Alps and to the town of Füssen. It was a beautiful and peaceful ride. And then – there were mountains – just what my dad ordered for this trip!

There are two castels in Füssen – Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. The word “schwan” in German is swan so these are fitting names!The first castle we visited was Hohenschwangau (the yellow/orange/brown color castle) which was King Ludwig’s boyhood home. It was originally built in the 12th century and was ruined by Napoleon (who really got around and ruined lots of castles) and rebuilt. The castle now looks like it did in 1836.

After the first tour, to get to the next castle, we took a horse and buggy ride which was led by our trusty driver Hans and his two horses Flick and Flockie. We were able to sit in the front of the buggy with the driver. Poor Flockie kept farting the entire way up to the castle. It was really funny and Hans kept laughing at his horses. What else could he do?!?!? We held our noses!















The building of Neuschwanstein started in 1869 and it was King Ludwig’s fairy tale dream castle that became a reality. He was able to live in the finished portion of the castle for 170 days before his death and a couple of months later it was turned into a museum and has been one ever since. It’s a beautiful castle and who wouldn’t want to live in that beautiful setting!

The tours through the castles weren’t really worth the time and money, but they were interesting none the less. The Hohenschwangau tour was much more informative and a much better tour. After wandering the grounds of each of the castles, which are filled with hills, mountains and lakes, I decided to take a hike a little farther up the hill towards Tegelberg and was able to get an even more splendid view of the castle.

As we headed back to town, we stopped for dinner at an outdoor café. My dad likes beer..but he likes cold beer. He also really enjoys his Keystone which is made in the good ol’ USA. Therefore, every beer did not taste right to him. So, he would put a little bit of salt in the beer to make it taste better to him. At this particular outdoor café, my dad asked for some salt because there was not any at the table. I think the server thought it was weird that he asked for salt when we didn’t even have our food yet. However, when my dad explained what he did with the salt towards the end of our dinner, the waiter, didn’t laugh. He actually explained that he was from Romania and that he does the same thing. So, my dad isn’t weird after all!

We went to wait for the 7:05pm train. It was getting crowded on the platform and I could tell that it might be a bit difficult to get a seat together on the train if we weren’t careful. During the wait, I also informed/coached my parents on how to be a bit brutal and how to fight for a seat on the train. No one wants to stand for a couple of hours. My dad was the first to the double doors on the train and he strategically only opened one door. VICTORY! The Liebsch’s were first in the car and got prime seats. As my mom tore through the inner door, it closed shut on the passengers behind her. You probably had to be there, but it was a great laugh.

Time for our History Lesson

After an early morning hotel breakfast, the Liebsch’s took the train to Dachau Concentration Camp, located about 20 minutes outside of Munich. It was a somber experience as we spent two hours with a tour guide and learned so much about Hitler and the Third Reich. This camp was originally established as a camp for political prisoners and later served as a model for later concentration camps. Besides the grounds of the pictures, it brought life at the camp to reality when we saw pictures taken by the American troops when the survivors were liberated on April 29, 1945. You can see the relief in the faces of the prisoners and could start to imagine how hard life must have been. The history lessons that both my parents and I have had appeared more vivid during this experience. This picture was taken on the way to the crematorium. You can see the barbed wire with the ditch separating the camp form the fence to the outside world. In the background, you can see the foundations where the barricks or blocks once stood.

We continued our history experiences later that afternoon when we returned to Munich and took a two hour walking tour of the spots in Munich where Adolf Hitler gained his power and formed the Nazi party. There are no longer any visible signs of the Nazi party in Munich unless you know where to look. Our tour guide pointed out that on the ceiling of the famous beer hall where Hitler made many speeches you can see swastica's - either painted their intentionally or unintentionally.

After all of the touring and history lessons, we walked our way back to the infamous Hofbräuhaus – the beer hall of all beer halls. We ordered sausages, kraut and potatoes, pretzels along with three one-liter steins of beer. The German polka music and the festive people around us made for some genuine fun.

Munich or Bust!

We had an early morning departure from my flat. One bus ride and two trains later we arrived in Munich. We checked into our hotel room at the Holiday Inn – which was one of a few hotels that I could find that had air-conditioning (which was a requirement of my dad and with how hot it was, I’m glad it was a requirement. But still no ice machines). We then made our way back to the main train station, the Hauptbahnhof. From here, we began a self-guided walking tour of the old city of Munich.

We entered Alstadt (old town) through the 14th century city gate (picture above) and our senses exploded! The vendors, the people, the church steeples, the bicycles, and the architecture truly amazed us. My dad enjoyed girls on bikes with skimpy attire, and my mom’s favorite was the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) – especially the lift to the top to see an incredible view of the city. This is a picture of the Church of our Lady.

Our journey taught us a lot about “Max” King Ludwig II and his ruling family, the Wittelbach’s. We’ll see two of his castles in Füssen on Sunday. This is a statue of King Ludwig outside of the Royal Palace.














We headed back to our hotel and had an authentic German dinner at Ruchlverjeichnis. The schnitzel and beer tasted great!

In Search of Ice

The Liebsch's Do the Rhein!

After months of begging, I was finally able to get my parents to join me for for a excursion through Germany. As their first trip outside of the United States, I have made it my personal duty to show them a good time.

They arrived yesterday morning (August 26), and they were quite perky after flying all night. They were very impressed with the small digs that I live in. Although it's really only made for one person, we're doing quite well with the suitcases in the front room and the towel rack in the bedroom. It's a bit warm, especially during the day and when we are moving about, but the fan does do it's job. Air Conditioning is not common any many buildings, especially homes, in Bonn. So, needless to say, we've been struggling with the task of trying not to sweat (too much!).

We did a little exploring through Bonn yesterday and they've become acquainted with Bus 610 that goes to and from my house. We went and toured Beethoven's Birthplace and got a small glimpse of his life both in Bonn and Vienna.

After a nap to cure the jet-lag that had set in, we got the bikes ready and went for a bike ride. We originally wanted to go to the Haribo Outlet (my favorite candy store), but the chain on the bike that my mom was riding came off (nothing to do with her bike riding skills). So, we walked the bikes back to my house and dad went to work to fix it. After a few adjustments, the chain was back on and working as good as new. This time, we went and rode along the Rhein river and they got a view of what I get to see every morning when I run.

My mom wanted to say that she "rode the bike to dinner" so on the way back to my house, we stopped at a ri verside restaurant, Schaumburger Hof, and ate dinner. Mom and Dad both had their first "German Beer." Dad drank the local beer, Kolsch, and mom and I drank Radler which is beer with lemonade. Although the beer was not cold enough for my dad as he likes his served with a cup of ice (and ice is not a regualr item on menu), It was the perfect way to end the evening.

Today (August 27), we made our way up the river to Cologne. Cologne is known for their giant Cathedral that makes the panaroma of the city. When we arrived, my parents asked how I knew how to get to the Cathedral and if I knew where I was going. I told them that we were looking for a giant church. Just then, my mom looked up and there it was - WOW! We spent a couple hours in the church between wondering around and climbing the 529 stairs to the top. My dad is still looking for ice at this point. We enjoyed the street entertainers trying to earn a Euro or two. My parents favorite was the English Speaking Break Dancers.

After the church, we took a short tour down to the riverfront and found a quaint German restaurant. Guess what we had??? The one meal my mom has been wanting to try since she got here - WIENERSCHNITZEL. It was very Yummy!!!! There was still no ice in the drinks.

We did some shopping, bought a couple of souveniers and took a picture of Michelangelo's David standing outside of the church. Mom thought he would have been bigger.

We arrived back in Bonn and made a bike ride to the infamous Haribo Candy Store. The company Haribo has a factory here in Bonn and the outlet sells the candy much cheaper than in any other store. So, if you want a Souviner - See my mom!

We continued the bike riding adventure up the Rhein to my office and then through the River Park where we ate dinner and listened to live jazz music. The flower gardens were in full bloom and gorgeous. Our dinner was delicious and capped off with iced tea - each glass had two small cubes.

ICE AT LAST!

Needless to say, it's been rather warm in Germany thus far and ice is a rare commodity in most places (even in homes).

After a nice walk/bike ride home, we stopped and got some Italian Ice Cream. Now, our suitcases are packed and we are heading to Munich and Southern Germany.

If you would like to count, there have been:
0 Bike Wrecks
1 Fan for my very hot apartment
2 Ice Cubes

Kölner Halbmarathon

A few months ago, my friend Clare asked me if I wanted to run in the Cologne Half Marathon with her at the beginning of July. There was plenty of time to train for it, so I said Why not.

Well, life got in the way, as did the two week vacation and the World Cup, that I really didn't get to train much (or at all).

On July 8, I ran the 13.1 miles (21 Kilometers). My first goal was to finish - which I did. My second goal was to finish in under 2 hours. My time: 1:59:55.

I don't think I could have cut it any closer than that. Visit the following link to see pictures. My number is 633 (you can put it in at the top of the page.

http://www.firstfotofactory.com/cgi-bin/cosmoshop/lshop.cgi

And a Year goes by……

I can’t believe that I have been a resident of another country for 365 days now. It’s unbelievable. It seems like just yesterday I said a teary goodbye to my mom as my dad and I headed to the airport.

That was a funny trip. I had 3 HUGE bags. My grandma, who was still in Atchison from my brothers wedding, helped me pack. She was good too...helping fit stuff in where I didn’t think anymore could fit, but making sure that I was under the weight limit. Walking from the car to the check-in counter, I was pulling my big suitcase and my small carry-on suitcase. My dad was pulling my large duffel bag and another bag. To make it easier, he decided to put one bag on top of the other and pull them as one. As we were walking, the handle to the big bag broke off and both bags went tumbling to the ground. Both of us laughing, we finally made it to the check-in counter.

The lady at the counter asked if I was moving overseas. I asked “How could you tell?” It might have been the 3 huge bags I had with me! She was even so nice as to give my dad a pass through the Security Check so that he could sit with me until it was time to board the plane.

Normally, when I fly, I try to be the first one on the plane. Get on, get settled, go to sleep. It’s easy. But, for this trip, for some reason, I waited until the last possible moment to board. I might have been one of the very last people on. I have never been one to not be excited for a new challenge, but I never knew how hard it would be to say goodbye to my family. Crying, I hugged my dad goodbye and boarded the plane.

It’s funny to look back at last summer before I moved to Germany. It was such a whirlwind of a month. At the end of May, I took a short family trip to North Carolina to meet my sister’s, Cindy, fiancés (now husband) family. After that, it was time to start winding down life as I knew it in Colorado Springs. Packing up my stuff in the house so it could be moved to a basement. Cleaning my office so that it could be ready for my successor. Figuring out how to say goodbye to the friends who had become my family away from home over the last 4 years. How do you do that?

Accepting this position in Germany was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. Sometimes I ask myself, “What were you thinking, Betsy?” But, then I tell myself that this is maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity and I could only hope that it would open up doors for my future career. However, what I didn’t realize is how much it would teach me about myself and what I value and hold important in life.

When you live away from family, the friends you make become your new family who you share Thanksgivings with because no one can afford to go home; who teaches you how to ski because you’ve never skied downhill before in your life; who you go running with because they too like to run very early in the morning; who enjoys entertaining guests at the house as much as you do because gatherings without a theme (Murder Mystery, the Olympics) are just not quite as fun; who is willing to risk their career at the TV station for giving a shout out to a friend on Live TV; who you share ski trips with because someone decided it would be a good idea to rent a condo for the season; who is willing to store all of your crap at their house because you are too cheap to rent a storage unit; who will by a round of beer (Old Style) for themselves and a round of shots for all of those willing to join in; and who is up to the task to make sure that your last days in town are the most memorable (as well as those when you return for a visit). These were the people I said goodbye to in Colorado Springs.

As I packed up my car (and I mean packed up, overflowing, could barely see out the back window packed), I knew it would be sad to drive out of the driveway for the last time. I knew it would be hard to hug goodbye the people that meant the most to me and that have stood by me over the years. But, I had no idea how hard it would be. I never foresaw the sacrifices I would be making by taking the journey across the ocean.

My brother got married the weekend after I left Colorado. Family, friends: it was so nice to be able to see everyone before I went to Europe. As much fun as I had dancing and parading around at the wedding, I almost enjoyed even more watching everyone having a good time, soaking in the moments with my family. These are the times that I hold onto...these and the ones that my brother put on DVD for me!

Germany has been good. It definitely rains a lot (and I mean for about 6 months out of the year), but rain brings good as well. During the summer, everything is extremely green and plush and it makes those morning bike rides very enjoyable. Living in Germany has taught me that I don’t really need a car. Let me tell you, I miss having a car, but I don’t really miss driving. Not sure how that works, but sometimes you wish you had a car so that you could haul something somewhere or go out of town without having to wait on a train. However, not having a car and alternatively having a bike means that you can park almost anywhere (except the train station where it might get stolen) and teaches you that flipping over the handlebars is not as bad as it sounds.

Germany has castles, which you do not see many of in Colorado or Kansas. Germany has the river, which is water that is not abundant in Colorado. Germany has public transportation, although spendy, usually runs right on time and where you want it to go. Germany has schnitzel – Definitely not in Kansas. Germany has brats. Germany has beer (Oktoberfest). Germany has cheap travel to other European countries. Germany has milk that you don’t have to refrigerate (because they nuclear heat it in the process). Germany has cheap wine that is good.

By living in Germany, I have learned that I can rent an apartment and sign up for a phone and electricity without knowing the language. By living in Germany, I have learned that it is okay to accept help from other people (especially when they have a car and are going to ALDIs). By living in Germany, I have learned patience, especially when you miss the bus. By living in Germany, I have learned that just because I do it one way does not make it the right way. By living in Germany, I have learned to be more accepting of the differences that exist between me and other people that I meet. By living in Germany, I have learned that not everyone in the world likes stuff “BIG” and economy size jars of salsa and peanut butter don’t necessarily exist. By living in Germany, I have learned that I am very lucky to be able to speak the English language. By living in Germany, I have realized that I do not need all of the clothes that are in my closet. By living in Germany, I have been fortunate to be able to travel over the last year and those of you who have kept up with my blog have been able to follow my “adventures” around the continent. Hopefully, there will be more to come. By living in Germany, I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful people who I now call friends, and who can act as my extended family.

I look back and think that anytime you can spread your wings a bit and fly away from the pack, that you will learn more about yourself than you ever wanted to experience. Learning the good and the bad are the risks that you take when you make life-altering changes. You risk losing touch with friends. You risk missing important events in the lives of others. You risk losing important people in your life. I think it takes a special type of person to be able to live overseas for an extended period of time and not get homesick. I often question if I’m that type of person. I’ve enjoyed living abroad, but nothing can replace the empty feeling inside that I get when I think about my loved ones back at “home”.

Before I left Colorado Springs, a very good friend of mine made me a collage of pictures. In the middle of it, she put a quote. “Home is Where the Heart Is.” This picture is hanging on my wall across from the couch that I always sit on. I look at it everyday. And each day, I realize more and more where my heart is.

I have enjoyed these last 12 months and I have gotten to see and do some amazing things. But, I do look forward to the future when I can share these types of special moments with those that I hold close to me.

I suppose this year-anniversary blog entry has turned out to be more of a reflection than I wanted it to be. I miss you all very much, and I look forward to when I can spend some time with each of you.

365 Days and Still Rolling,
~Betsy =)

God Bless the U-S-A

It's July 4th, Independence Day. Funny, it sure doesn't seem like it. Someone at work made a comment today that it was July 4th and if I was doing something to celebrate. I thought, hmmm..not really. And then I told them that on deck for tonight was a lazy night of watching football(soccer) and eating frozen pizza. I then told a fellow American Happy 4th of July - the least I could do, right?

I am currently watching live feed from the Space Shuttle Launch that will happen in about 12 minutes. It also has live radio feed, which is nice because you get to hear what everyone is saying. A minute ago they must have been talking with the Discovery Crew because one of the members said that they are excited to give the people of the west coast of Florida a good view of the "Rockets Red Glare". Yes, a little cliche, but hey, it's true.

T minus 09:00

For those of you who have seen a Shuttle Launch, it is one of the most amazing sights you will ever see and feel. I was lucky enough to be able to watch one when I lived in Orlando during the Fall of 1998. Granted, I was miles away from the launch pad, but sitting in the grass with the American Flag flying high looking at the tower with the enormous shuttle visible by the naked eye, it was an awesome feeling to feel the ground shake underneath me while I watched the shuttle disappear in the sky.

Orbiter access arm just retracted at T minus 07:00 and counting.

I wonder if either of my Great Grandmas ever thought growing up that they would have see men go to space, and then walk on the moon - A concept that will remain foreign to most people in their lifetime, unless they can afford to pay for a trip to Mars when civillian space travel is allowed (which I'm sure it will in the future).

T minus 04:00 and counting with a final test of the Control Services.

It has to be an amazing feeling to be inside the cockpit of one of the most powerful flying machines on the planet. To go where only few men will go and to walk on the non-gravitational floor of SPACE. I must be scary as well. Especially to think that there is a "Point of No Return" when they are leaving the earth's atmosphere where it is no longer possible during the ascent to come back safely to earth if one of the engines should stop working. It must be scary to hear all of the news commentary and negative comments about NASA playing with lives to advance their mission. Their come back - "It's Risk Management - they are paid to take risks..." Not sure if I agree. I wonder if the astronaunts do?

T minus 2:00 and no unexpected areas. Crew to lock visors and initiate Oxygen flow.

T minus 00:10 and counting

9...8........5.......2...1...

Lift Off

Can you imagine travelling more than 5,000 miles per hour? What a spectaular view the astronaunts must have aboard the shuttle. A view of the earth that we can only dream about.

To be an American on a day like today....I think living abroad makes you more patriotic than you may have once been. You begin to think differently about your country and your nationality. I have more respect for it. I feel like an American even though I may not be standing on my "own" land. Maybe it's because I have always been taught to be proud of where I came from. Maybe it's because my country and the US Flag are proudly displayed whenever possible. It's funny, in some countries, I have to wonder if folks are proud to be where they are from?

However, I also wonder if any other country in the world celebrates their country's Independence/Birthday with as much pizaazzz as we do. I can't think of any celebrations (and please correct if I'm wrong) where the country celebrates by bringing together family and friends with picnics, parades, patriotic music, patriotism and above all Fireworks.

Why do we celebrate like we do? We celebrate to show our thankfulness of where we are today as a country...our Freedom...our deomcrazy...and I think the Fireworks help us to remember that gratitude. For me though, they help me remember the trials and tribulations that our country has had to go through in order to be free.

You don't realize how much you miss the "fireworks" until you no longer get to watch them on a day when you are supposed to. There were no fireworks for me today. But I did figure out how to watch the World Cup Soccer (Germany v. Italy) live on my computer since I dont' have a TV. I don't want to be totally left in the dark tomorrow.

Enough Rambling....there is a reason I am not a professional writer.

Happy Fourth of July Everyone! Enjoy the Fireworks.
Miss you Lots...Hope to see you soon.
-Betsy =)