Venturing into Osterreich (June 12th)

As we left Rothenberg, we followed the Romantische Strasse to Fussen and Reutte. Our destination was Fussen, but our accommodations were in Reutte. Our accommodation was going to be a apartment in which we would stay 3 nights. The Romantische Strasse is exactly how it sounds, the Romantic Road. It is essentially the scenic route into the area of Germany known as Bavaria.  Today also happened to be the first time I drove in Germany. It was no autobahn, but it was exciting for me. The car drove smoothly and had some kick. It was enjoyable to say the least.  

To allow the family a break, we stopped in the town of Dinklesbuhl. This town was one of the places where Bethel Choir has stopped on past choir tours. Martina showed the family where she had her concert and the probable location of where he host family lived. It has been many years so some of her memories were fuzzy. Following this detour, we then got onto the autobahn. The autobahn makes so much sense. The far right lane is slow (mostly trucks), the middle lane is passing for the right lane, and the far left is the fast passing lane. At times the autobahn has speed limits...but not really. I wish our highway system was more like the autobahn. It is not like I had to prepare to drive on the autobahn any differently. The only thing that was different was that the car can handle going higher speeds. On the entire trip the fastest I went was 170 km/hour, which is roughly 100 miles/hour. If I drive around 80 or more in my car at home, my car shakes and rattles. Cars in Europe are made to go faster, they have better turning radiuses, and they are small enough to get around on the small European streets. 

When we arrived in Fussen Germany, we stopped at the tourist information center to get directions and to call our hosts. This was the first time that I saw a Sir Oliver (S. Oliver) store. I have never seen on in the US. For most people this would not seem significant, but my mother told me that her step sisters husband had started S. Oliver. He later sold it and it became a chain in Germany and in other parts of Europe. 

From Fussen we drove to Reutte. Let me tell you it was beautiful to say the least. The mountains were to my left, to my right, behind me, and in front of me. The alps where everywhere. I wanted to take so many pictures, but I hate taking pictures through windows. Our hosts met us at a grocery story because we did not know where to go. Our host Hartmut rode his bike and we followed him. Their house was situated on a hill overlooking the town and the mountains in the distance. It was a picturesque spot. Hartmut and his wife live on the top floor, we stayed on the second floor, and another person lives on the floor below. We had an entire apartment with a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a living room. After we brought up our stuff, Harmut invited us onto his lawn for a beer or wine. I was instantly enthralled with the view.

This is what I get to look at every morning while I stay here 

As I was snapping pictures, I looked down and saw a snail. But as I was taking pictures of this one snail, I saw several others. I have never seen an actual snail myself. So I was excited. 

This was Hartmut and Suzi's cat Mochi. She had a really interesting color scheme.

Gosh this view is something else

As we left for dinner I saw these two gnomes in the garden. One with a knife in his back, and the other was stripping. I showed my mom, and she wants to buy the naked gnome for her mom. For those that work in the Study Abroad Office at Bethel University, get one of these for the Gnome Hunt next year.

We had dinner at the Golden Rose. Tonight was the first time I had Beef Goulash

At night these two castles are lit up. Tomorrow I shall walk up to the one on the left. I sadly do not have time to go up to the one at the top. The lower one is also older and therefore more up my alley.