So Much to See...

A cohesive collection of intrepid insights from a frequent flyer in training

[frequentflyerintraining]

@slctwilight with some of my Europe crew and friends of friends. Death Cab for Cutie coming up #twilight15 #friends #livinglife (at Pioneer Park)

[frequentflyerintraining]

So the next day on my journey we went to Dachau concentration camp. Anytime you go to a place like that you have to be affected. We were given a tour of the memorial, and it's the quietest our group has ever been. We actually went through the memorial in two groups, and I found out later that we got the better one. Dachau was the first work camp established in Germany for those that the Nazis deemed of "poor work ethic." The camp was publicized as a place of reformation. It always startles me, at least a little to see how much people can rationalize away or compartmentalize until they are at the rocky bottom of a slippery slope. I've been to the Holocaust museum in DC, and it certainly has an impact. I would recommend that anyone who has a connection to the Holocaust though come and feel how it feels on the grounds of such a place as Dachau. But leaving the somber for the moment, after we Dachau we came to a different kind of memory of WWII. Rothenburg, Germany. It's this idyllic little Medieval town that built a wall to keep time out, rather choosing to progress at its own pace. Case in point: the town has a significant portion blanketed by a town wifi, but next to no actual paved roads. They're all cobblestone, which for the record is horrible on suitcase tires. I loved this place, and so did everyone else. So much so that we actually tarried here longer than originally planned and spent less time in Frankfurt. Which is okay, because I got just what I needed from Frankfurt even with less time. Love, Kieran

[frequentflyerintraining]

Disneyland Paris 2; The Castle and Discoveryland (Tomorrowland)

[frequentflyerintraining]

Disneyland Paris 1

[frequentflyerintraining]

The Frankfurt Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

[frequentflyerintraining]

Dachau Holocaust Memorial.

[frequentflyerintraining]

The city of Rothenburg, probably one of my new favorite cities. The second picture, the one of the door, is a picture of the original "manhole." The way to get back into a walled city after hours. The last two pictures are because being in a medieval German city made a few of us feel particularly spook-happy. Mother, just assume I'm being safe for the sake of these photos...

[frequentflyerintraining]

May 25

So last, last Monday (considering it is now June 4) was some of the best weather we've had on this whole trip. The sun was shining, it was pretty warm, and it was just an amazing Austrian day. We started by going to Hellbrunn Palace, where the earlier "trick fountain pictures are from". The end of the palace tour brings you to a great playground, and the final resting point of the Sound of Music Gazebo. Many snaps and insta's were taken in front of the gazebo, as you can probably imagine. The really neat thing about the day, though, was an adventure to the foothills for paragliding. About a dozen of us went, along with the Wards. I personally didn't have the chance to go to the top and come down, but I loved the chance to see the looks on my friends faces when they touched down. So much light and joy and adrenaline. It was so cool.

[frequentflyerintraining]

Julie Andrews touched this gate everyone. First when filming Sound of Music and then again when filming the 50th anniversary special. Here's hoping a little magic rubs off?

[frequentflyerintraining]

I rode a bike everyone. I suck at riding a bike, and if you were there I would not have blamed you if you had lost patience with me, but my friends here were so understanding and it was seriously so much fun, I can’t even tell you!

[frequentflyerintraining]

1. Salzburg fashion (I could totally pull it off) 2. Who would have thought the best Chinese food is in Austria? 3. People other than me paragliding. (See post for full story)

[frequentflyerintraining]

1. The aftermath of the trick fountains 2. “Look Ma, I’m a unicorn!” 3. “I am 16, going on 17…*voice whispers*…I am 23 going on 24…yeah doesn’t really have the same ring, does it?" 4. One of my favorite activities of my childhood and even today, but in one of my new favorite cities.

[frequentflyerintraining]

The grounds of Hellbrunn Castle, and the very accurately named Trick Fountains of Markus Sittikus.

[frequentflyerintraining]

May 24

Alright now I’m up to last Sunday. Woohoo! So after leaving the charming town of Garmisch, we crossed the border back in to Austria. As a little bit of context, when we left Switzerland, we went through Austria to get to Germany. We then went back into Austria to go to Salzburg. But wait, there’s more border hopping yet to come… So our first stop in Salzurg was a large Salt Mine (Salzburg = Salt fortress). Here we donned “protective gear” (see photos) because we went down a series of slides used by miners of old to get to the deepest parts of the mine. They had specialized butt pads so as not to friction burn down to your drawers. Definitely not a fashion trend I expect to see gaining traction anytime soon. Anyway, while in the tunnels underneath the mine, we walked out way back into Deutschland for about half an hour, and then returned to Österreich. The Salt Mine itself was great, since our guide was as into it as you could be. Cracking jokes and really making the experience worth it. If you’re looking for good salt, I have a pretty good recommendation. Haha. They even have some super rare blue salt, if that is more your thing. (No idea why you would want blue salt, but hey). The weather still left something to be desired but the next day was totally awesome in more ways than one Love, Kieran

[frequentflyerintraining]

I can explain...sort of.

[frequentflyerintraining]

What you see in a little town in Bavaria. I actually danced to that band. Badly, but I did dance

[frequentflyerintraining]

May 23

So I'm a week behind again guys. Which is really bad. I'm repenting now that I'm in Paris. So there's about to be an onslaught of posts. Alright, so, our second day in Garmisch the weather was still less than great. We had a business visit with the Garmisch Convention center in the morning, and it was phenomenal to hear just how much impact tourism can have on a town like Garmisch. I took for granted how much certain areas depend on a flow of outsiders. The hypothetical question of closing Edelweiss came up, and Iris (our guide at the Convention center) said that it would have horrible repercussions. She didn't even want to think about it. It is so interesting though to learn the things that I am here though. For example how government deciding to preserve the "village" feel, limits the construction of larger hotels, which would in turn allow more visitors. But part of the appeal of Garmisch is that village feel. So what do you do? It's one of those deep questions that people who study what I do have to figure out. I don't know about you, but I think it's pretty cool having those kinds of discussions. Anyway, love Kieran