Sunshine Makes Me High

When I am in Germany between October and March, I am always delighted to see the sun. It isn't a guarantee, so I see it as a gift. When we spent a year in Koblenz, Germany we didn't have a sunny day from October 20 through mid-March. It didn't rain all of every day, but something fell from the sky during every 24-hour period. It was oppressive. Add to that the shortened winter days where it was totally dark by 4:00 each afternoon, and you have a recipe for depression.

Germans adore the sun, and no wonder, since they go for such long periods without seeing it. They seek it wherever and whenever they can find it. And then they get out and enjoy it, no matter how cold or hot it is. We've laughed through the years about bundling up to sit in the sun with Germans friends, usually for Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) on a cold, sunny sping day. Wearing our coats. And gloves.

Shopping

Yesterday we drove south from Munich to the village of Hohenschwangau to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. This is the castle that King Ludwig II began (but never finished) in the late 19^th century and the model for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. (King Ludwig was the king of Bavaria and was absolutely mad. He loved Wagner and knights and spending money. But you cannot fault his taste in decorating!) When we left Munich the sun was shining, and when we arrived in Hohenschwangau it was not. No matter. When you are traveling you just go and do and see, regardless of the weather because time is so precious. So we parked and shopped a little then set off for Marienbrucke (Mary's Bridge) where the view to the castle is unparalled.

A Bridge With A View
(Or So We Thought)

Marienbrucke is built atop a fabulously beautiful gorge with a series of waterfalls.  And, although the fog prevented us from seeing any views at all, we did enjoy listening to a man sing and play a hurdy-gurdy, our first time to ever see one.

 A Hurdy-Gurdy Man 

Crank With The Right,
Press The Keys With The Left

Our tour of Neuschwanstein included 165 stairs up. It may seem odd to count the number of stairs, but not having the sun drives one to focus on odd things. (Like having to decide which of us would get to use the pay toilet because we didn't have enough coins for us all.)

The castle was magnificient, and I'd post a photo of the interior, but I wasn't allowed to take any. Lots of murals of Wagnerian scences and marble columns and Italian mosiac floors and carved wooden sculptures and a toilet that looked like an actual throne and even a telephone. But once I glanced from a castle window and saw the fog lifting, well, like the Germans around me, I could hardly wait to get out in the sunshine. And I barely noticed those 181 steps down!

Neuschwanstein In The Brilliant Sunshine

Worth The Wait!

A Bridge With A View
(Two Hours Later)