Looking back and forward

     Our trip has ended but the memories will last a lifetime!  We are slowly returning to normal but our thoughts and conversations continue to process our recent experiences in Europe.  Here are some conclusions we have talked about:
1.   Most people want to help you despite language barriers, time constraints or any other difficulties.
2.   Despite what you may hear on TV, we didn't find any anti-American sentiment in 21 days.
      Everyone we met was cordial and kind.
3.   At times, traveling in a foreign country can be difficult with different languages, customs and
      practices making it difficult to navigate, especially when we were not with our tour group, but it is
      so worthwhile to experience a different culture and way of life.  Ultimately, while it is sometimes
      difficult, it can be done.
 4.  We are very grateful that we were able to travel in Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany but it is
       true,  "there is no place like home!"

     Looking forward, I am anxious to begin painting from all my photos, sketches, and memories!  I was able to sketch a little while traveling but my memories and photos will provide the resources to begin recording my "Lasting Impressions" of our adventures.  Here are a few of my quick sketches:

View of Lake Como from Como City

Laglio pencil sketch

Laglio Piazza from the water. (George Clooney's home on the left)

The Alps at Kleine Sheidegg

I plan to start painting my European Impressions as soon as we return from Door County at the end of October.  I will post my paintings on my blog as I complete them.  I would love any critique you wish to offer.  You can press the link back to my blog at the bottom of each post and post your comment  or just reply to me personally.  After posting, I will place each painting on my website http://lastingimpressions4u.net . I have enjoyed sharing our travel experiences with everyone who has subscribed to my blog.  Thank you for being a part of "Judie's World".

    

Memorable Munich

   The last stop on our tour was Munich.  My emotions ran the gamut during our stay in Munich.  From the heart wrenching story of Dachau and the evidence of Hitler’s presence in the build up to WWII to the highly festive celebrations surrounding Octoberfest and the brew houses, the contrast of Munich was sriking.

     A rainy day greeted us as we picked up our guide for our city tour of Munich.  Michael’s enthusiasm for the history of Munich could not be dampened by the weather.

We drove around historic Munich and could not help but learn about its history with his entertaining narrative.  Our tour ended at noon in the Marienplaz center where we all witnessed the 3 times daily ringing of the glockenspiel. 

Later that day we were treated to a festive banquet at the "Historische Wiesen" one of the many beer tents on the grounds of Octoberfest !  We had a great time with our liter mugs of beer and our ½ roasted chickens, the traditional food of the fair. .  After dinner we walked the midway and I couldn’t but help thinking I was at one of our Midwest state fairs!  It was a “been there done that” moment.

     Thursday morning, we boarded our bus for the last time for a trip to Dachau.

After a brief orientation and movie, we walked the grounds with the help of our audio guide.  It was truly a moving experience to think of all the suffering and misery that man’s inhumanity to man caused in this very place.  The memorials were touching but horror was the emotion of the visit.  It was good to see so many people, especially young students, visit this sight.  Hopefully this will insure that a holocaust, such as this, never happens again.

The gate the prisoners entered from the railroad cars, that marked the loss of their rights as human beings.

A memorial sculptor stands at the yard where role was taken each day.

the Jewish Memorial Chapel

      We took one last swing into the Marianplaz area for some last minute shopping and a lunch at the Hofbrau house.  We said goodbye to the “Royal Family”, Thursday night. We had a wonderful 10 days with this group and have made some good friends. We had lots of laughs and some exceptional memories.

        Friday morning we made our way back downtown on the subway  to our hotel for an extra two night finale.  During our final two days in Munich, we walked through the Viktualienmarkt (food market area0, did some shopping, more eating, visited some spectacular churches, and on Saturday we took the subway out to the site of the 1972 Olympics and the BMW headquarters. This was the final weekend of Octoberfest and Munich was alive with a festive spirit.  As we walked the streets of this huge party, we decided this was the perfect ending to a wonderful Europe experience. Auf Wiedersehen!