Destination: Munich, Bad Toelz, Hallstatt

I am such a lucky girl. This semester (ha, that makes me sound like I’m still in college) Christie O’Shea will come from France for an IC reunion in February. My dear friend and roomie Katie will be here for over a week in March, and Ms. Alisa orange tic tac Anderson is coming in April. I feel so loved!

My holidays were made even more special as my mother and Pat came to visit. Pat arrived mid day on the 28^th, and we immediately whisked him through a whirlwind tour of the city in a mad hunt for Vienna’s best chocolate cake. Of course he then passed out, and I took mom to the airport at 4:30am. Of course emotions run high during any goodbye, but such early hours only heighten one’s sadness and awareness of parting ways. I’ve said goodbye in the Vienna airport quite a few times, but this one was particularly hard.

So began our adventures in Austria and Germany.

We explored Vienna, and I gave Pat “Muffin’s Walking Tour of Vienna, copyright spring 2010” right away. We had Glühwein at Schönbrunn and strolled around the Palace’s expansive gardens.

Grinzing, Beethoven history, Kahlenberg, the Vienna Woods (gaelforce winds here), my old apartment, the Belvedere, and the Naschmarkt. Pastries pastries pastries.

Zentralfriedhof, more Naschmarkt (Pat discovers Falafel), and New Year’s Eve! A hysterical night out with Jeannine, dancing with strangers in big green light up glasses, mulled wine, champagne and fireworks by the Hofburg. A concert at the Rathaus and I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL (where are we?). Pizza at 2am.

Pancakes and other American delicacies.

Deutschland!

Getting lost in the Munich trainstation, and the beautiful ride to Bad Tölz. Is this real life? I had been wanting to go to Bad Tölz for ages, as a good family friend grew up there. After settling in and walking around, I just felt so content and at peace. Bavaria is gorgeous, and this town is very special. I am so greatful for the opportunity to travel there, and experience the place Fini lived. What a wonderful place, I really can’t say enough.

Munich was rainy and cold, but full of beer, delicious German food and more beer. Though I mysteriously lost my nose ring, the Augustiner Bierhall still remains the highlight of our time in Munich. Oh, and the BMW museum is pretty cool.

I’m not sure how to describe Hallstatt, Austria. Yes, this is a popular tourist destination, but it is one of my favorite places in the world. Hands down. Perhaps I’ll let the pictures do the talking:

We frolicked in the snow, enjoyed pastries and coffee, drank beer and wine, explored the winding streets and hidden staircases and wandered around all day. It was perfekt. I honestly had to suppress tears on the boat back to the train station. (You must take a boat to get into town. How priceless is that?)

We saw Die Fledermaus at the Opera, made fresh pasta from the market, and generally just enjoyed each others’ company.

While this was another painful goodbye, I am so grateful for Pat’s visit, and our travels. It was so refreshing to spend time with such special people from home, a breath of fresh air. When asked to sum up his trip in five or less words, Pat said: "Enlightening. Phenomenal. Relaxing. Exciting. Unforgettable."

Thank you, Austria.