Germany and Czech Republic
Monday morning Cathy and I got up at 5am to drive to the airport. I was working on a little over 3 hrs of sleep and was exhausted. Cathy and I parted at the airport and I proceeded to my flight to Munich. Although I was running late to my flight (as usual), I couldn’t resist stopping at the first Starbucks I’d seen in 2 months. I hate to say it, but the Irish make terrible coffee. My caramel machiatto was not good at all. I guess that was good b/c as I attempted to board my plane during the “final call,” I was told no hot beverages allowed on board so I had to toss it. No loss there.
I landed in Munich at 11am and my former co-worker Steve was there to pick me up. He’s stationed in Stuttgart with the Army, and besides working with him at the DoD, he and I worked in Iraq together.
Our first stop was at the Dachau concentration camp which is right outside Munich. We were wondering why the parking lots were blocked off and there were few people around. And then duh, we realized it was Monday and the place was closed. So we hopped in the car and headed to a monastery out in the country on top of a hill that brews delicious beer. We had lunch (pig knuckle, saukraut, potato salad, and sausage) in the beer garden there. We drove around a small town close to the monastery on the lake – it was beautiful.
They had to demolish the barracks that were for the concentration camp prisoners after the war because they were so infested with disease, bugs, etc. But the foundations are still there.
The barracks where the prisoners slept.
Gas chamber. The bright area where the light is coming through is where they would put the gas. Some of the black spots on the ceiling are the fake shower heads. No one knows why, but for some reason the gas chamber on Dachau was never used for mass extermination.
Crematorium
We checked into our hotel in Munich and then drove into town. We visited the Marketplatz and ate (of course) at the Hoffbrauhouse. I had delicious salad and even more delicious beer that was served by the pint. Luckily Steve speaks great German so talking to the locals wasn’t difficult.
Tuesday we set out again for the Dachau concentration camp. Dachau was the first concentration camp created by Hitler. It was also an extermination camp that had 2 crematoriums and a gas chamber. I was intrigued to visit such an historical place but the unimaginable horror of the place soon hit me full force. To walk along the same path, in the same barracks of the thousands of jews (and others) who were imprisoned, tortured, and killed there was indescribable. One of the main themes of the place though was “Never Again.” Yup, never again. In fact, all German school children are required to visit a concentration camp while they’re in school.
They had to demolish the barracks that were for the concentration camp prisoners after the war because they were so infested with disease, bugs, etc. But the foundations are still there.
The barracks where the prisoners slept.
Gas chamber. The bright area where the light is coming through is where they would put the gas. Some of the black spots on the ceiling are the fake shower heads. No one knows why, but for some reason the gas chamber on Dachau was never used for mass extermination.
Crematorium
We ate lunch at McDonalds (yummy anywhere in the world!) and then headed to Prague. It’s about a 4 hour drive from Munich so it wasn’t too bad. We checked into our hotel and then took the tram to the main part of the city. I visited Prague back in 2002 and was completely disappointed in the city. I didn’t understand why people absolutely love Prague and consider it their favorite city. So I was curious to go back (older and wiser) and see what the big deal was. Well, I do like it a little better now (considering I have a good friend to tour around with and he’s teaching me all the history AND I have a much better appreciation of beer), but I still don’t get the big deal.
Our first stop (mandated by Steve) was to the oldest and most popular pub in Prague – U Flecku. It was created around 1494. The beer there was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! They don’t even ask you if you want a beer…they just walk around and as soon as you sit down, they give you a pint. They only have one beer – a dark beer – but it tastes amazing!!! It is light and goes down so easily. I then had some delicious goulash and enjoyed some fine Czech live music. It was a great night.
Wednesday morning we took the tram to Wenceselas Square and took a tour of the Communist Museum. It is such a treat touring around with someone who knows EVERYTHING about 1) History and 2) Beer. There’s nothing else you really need to know when you’re traveling. So Steve (and the museum) helped me learn all about Communism. It’s about time, I know. We walked around the Old Town and then stopped in the square for some lunch. I had some delicious spinach gnocchi and a Budweiser Budvar. NOTE – that is completely different than an American Budweiser. Apparently Anheiser and Busch copied the name Budweiser from the Czech inventer of Budweiser Budvar and brought it (the name, not the delicious taste) to the states. But man is there a taste difference in the 2 beers – Budweiser Budvar is delicious! Steve says that the Czechs have the best beer; and if Steve says it, it’s true.
Cute little canal near the main river Danube.
King Charles Bridge
We walked on the St. Charles Bridge and enjoyed the views from there. There’s construction on the bridge though so no great pics of the bridge. I hate construction. U flecku was calling Steve so we headed back there for a snack and another beer. Check it out – we were cursed out by the waiter in Czech – 2 times. How awesome is that?! I might have given him attitude though to cause the cursing but my attitude was warranted. He was pushing a small “apertif” drink on us giving the appearance that it was free but in reality cost the equivalent of $8. He was saying it’s a tradition and that we had to take it. They got us with that trick the night before and I was quite annoyed. So I might have expressed my displeasure and he then expressed his displeasure at the “stupid American tourists.” The funny thing is that the first time he cursed at us, I had no idea. But Steve understood what he said and told me. Then the next time the pushy waiter walked by (this time not stopping to offer us the drinks), I clearly heard him mumble and look at us in disgust. I loved it!
Then it was nap time! I am still somewhat on Spanish time so I need my afternoon siesta We got a suggestion from the concierge at the hotel for dinner and ended up eating at this mediteranean restaurant down the street. It was incredible! I ordered this chicken, vegetable, and pasta dish that was just delicious. I chased down the food with a Pilsner Urquell (a Czech beer). So far, the food and beer in Prague has been absolutely delectable.
Thursday we walked around the Prague Castle. We didn’t want to pay the 8 euro to go inside the buildings but we could walk around the grounds for free. Not much more happened on Thursday.
Basilica on the grounds of the Prague Castle
Grape vines growing around the Prague Castle
View of Prague Castle from St. Charles Bridge
Friday morning we set out for Garmisch, Germany. It was about 5 hrs from Prague. And by far, it was my favorite spot on this Germany/Czech Republic tour. The small town is at the base of the Bavarian alps. The views were amazing! We stayed at Edelweiss which is the main military resort and lodge in Europe. There are some others but (in my opinion), this one has the best scenic surroundings. The Edelweiss is on a US military installation. Ahhh how I miss those. There were a ton of soldiers and their families there on vacation. It was so nice to be surrounded by the military again. And the govt did a great job outfitting and building this resort for them.
Edelweiss - Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort and Lodge
View from the Edelweiss looking at the Zugspitze and Bavarian (German) Alps
The little town of Garmisch
Saturday we hiked to a beautiful gorge. It was incredible! The gorge was so deep and you could hike along the bottom side of it because they had created a walkway in the rock wall. You could look up and see green and sky. Then you look down and see the mystic water rushing by. The pictures don’t do the views justice. Then we hiked to the top of that area and got some good views of the surrounding Bavarian Alps.
The Gorge
Can you see me in the shadows?
View from the top
View from the top after passing through the gorge
Views driving back to Stuttgart - Austrian Alps
After hitting the PX and commissary (and Subway), we headed back to Stuttgart. Friday night we recovered from our cross-country tour and watched Valkyrie. I thought it would be appropriate since we had visited Dachau. Wow that is a sad movie. And it’s funny that I don’t recall learning about events like Valkyrie in school.
Sunday - We left Stuttgart this morning and are on our way to Trier, Germany. However, we made a quick stop at Ramstein Air Force Base b/c we needed some things from the commissary, PX, and I needed to use internet. So we're here for about 30 minutes and then moving on to Trier!
