John in Germany #6

Today we rented bikes and did a massive tour of the area riding on the bike trails. We went through Partenkirchen and to the ski jump to check out what it looks like in the day time. After that we made our way along the flank of the mountain past the Hausberg Bahn and Alpspize bahn to Granau where my family had an apartment for a long time. We made our way through Granau checking out the cows with cowbells and the various construction site along the way. After riding back down the hill to the main road we went across the river and onto a dirt path that made its way along a construction site and back along side the river through the center of town. At this point we tried to go to a thrift store but the storeowner was on vacation for the week so we kept on riding to the center of town were we locked up the bike to check out a book store. I was looking for a climbing guide to the area but found out they didn't have it after I asked the cashier. After getting back on the bike we made our way back to the guest haus calling it a good day.

Nice bike paths

Are they really brothers?

Yes they are!

John in Germany #5

The next day we woke to rainy skis so what was suppose to be my climbing day turned into another scenic city day. The original plan was to go to Munich the following day so I could join after I had climbed but the weather had other plans so we finished up breakfast and headed to the Bahnhof (train station) where we missed the Munich train by five minutes. The next train was in 55 minutes so dad got on his I-Phone (I-Phondle) and got a weather app so that next time we could get the weather report before the morning. After and hour we loaded on the train and were off on our hour long munich train ride through some very scenic valleys and along a lake. The scenery had a few people (the Darrow boys) craning their necks at every thing from mountains to lakes and even a few constructions sites that lay along the way. When we screeched to a halt in Munich we tried to make out way to the S- Bahn but were unsuccessful because they were all being worked on and had Polezei blocking the entrance. The next best thing is the U-Bahn and that is were we went next and within two stop we were standing in Marien Platze staring at the cathedral in the center of the square. After checking out a few stores it was getting close to beer drinking hour so we starting making out way to the HofBrau Haus, the best brewery in Munich. Walking through the halls it didn't look too packed so we found ourselves a window seat next to a guy from Beijing and a family that didn't say a word to us the whole time we were there. We had good seats because just one table down from us was the Stammtich were a bunch of Bavarians were sitting in full Bavarian wear. They looked like they were out on their normal Sunday in spite of the hundreds of tourist walking by that all took pictures of them. They looked like the celebrities of Hofbrau Haus and in a way I guess they were. After two masses of beer we made out way out of there and on to Paulayner were we would be having dinner. We got a table right on the street even though I feel like being inside is the only way to get an idea of how big and loud a brewhaus should really be. After a very long time we each finished our meals along with two more masses of beer. The day was complete and we were all full but before heading out on the train my dad headed to the bakery at the train station to get some pretzels. Without knowing it both of them bought one beer each so on the way home we each had 2 beers a piece. It was a good way to end the day on the train drinking a beer and eating a pretzel and watching the scenery pass by the window. 

On the train!

The Darrow boys are in town

Some cathedral

If you couldn't guess it, he's an architect

Some street performers 

John in Germany #4

After a few fun days in Heidelberg John, Dad and I have made our way to Bavaria. Today we passed Fussen and had a short stop at Nueshweinstein to let john check out the castle that was shrouded in mist and barely visible but visible nevertheless. After walking around town and checking out the various shops we got back in the car and kept driving to Garmisch. Just before the Austrian border we had to check out a part of the river that looked like it held some fly fishing. My dad and I told John how hard it is to get a fishing license in Germany and right then and there an English speaking fly fisherman from Munich walked up to the car telling how good it was. He later told is that it was very expensive to take the class to get a Germany fishing license. When we arrived in Garmsich-Partnekirchen my dad had already set up a reservation at Haus Maier, a nice guest haus right at the entrance to the Partenkirchnerold city A perfect location with great food just around the corner, the train stationa 20 mminutewalk, and a bike rental place across the street. After a short nap and a shower we headed in to town to find something to eat ultimately settling on my favorite restaurant in Bavaria and maybe Germany whose name escapes me right now. During are time at the restaurant a Partenkirnher meeting was going on so John got the chance to admire all the traditional Bavarian wear as it went past us for the first 45 minutes of our stay before our food arrived. Once the food arrived at the table the conversation changed from sentences to quick statements because both our hands and mouths where full (soon to be our stomachs). I had my usualat this restaurant and had the JJagger Schnitzelel while my dad had a Haxen which is basicly a pic leg bone a all, and John had some meal with pork in it but that doesn't narrow it down much. After eating my meal I helped out my dad with his a little before calling my self full. After a great meal (as always) we made our way to the ski stadium to walk off some of the food. The stadium was open so we checked it out before heading back to Hause Maier and enjoying a good nights sleep. 

Checking out some shirts

Not my shot but thats how we saw it!

Two fly fisherman on the Loisach in Austria

John in Germany #3

 My dad woke me up this morning after deciding that we were going to Speyer to show John that Cathedral. I was kind of confused by this because it meant that we would only have an hour and a half to check out all that Speyer has to offer before running back to Heidelberg to pick up Olivia right after her graduation rehearsal. I guess we will be seeing more of Heidelberg tonight anyways so we headed to Speyer. Between by dad and my uncle any town in Germany could be a week long trip. My dad has too many old buildings to stare at and shoot pictures of and my uncle has way too many construction sites too stare at. Between the two of them we barely made it down a street in the city without gawking skyward (see the pictures). It was a good time and now we are back at the house getting ready for Olivias graduation.

Speyer!

Some construction

Statue with a explanation in German

John in Germany #2

After waking up at 11 we ate some breakfast and got on the road to the PX to pick up clothes for me that would be nice enough for graduation. After spending way too much time trying on clothes we finally got out of the PX and headed downtown to walk around and let John check out the Haupstrasse and all the sights and sounds of Heidelberg. We made our way to the churches, the gummy bear store (3 bags), the old bridge, and the monkey statue before heading back to the car. Here are a few pictures from today, enjoy!

The boys are in town!

Talking about architecture or concrete?

Munchin on some gummy bears

The group on the old bridge with the castle in the background 

John in Germany #1

My uncle arrived today straight from Washington with a layover in Philadelphia at the Frankfurt airport. We (dad, sister and I) arrived an hour and a half early to pick him up and managed to miss him in the airport anyways. When we arrived we found out that his plane was going to be running slightly late so we got a few snacks and drinks to have as we waited. After we waited for 30 minutes after his arrival time and his flight had left the arrival board we thought something was up. My dad made his way to baggage claim and we sat where we thought he was coming out just in case he was really late. Five minutes after my dad had left us Olivia spotted John at the arrival gate walking around looking for us. It turns out he had arrived one gate down from where we were and thought that we would be driving by to pick him up so he had gone outside to the drive-by pickup. After that everything went smoothly until we got to the parking garage where we walked around for 30 minutes looking for the car and in the end had to pay an extra bit of money because of our added time. After a quick ride into Reilingen we didn't even go home before going out for a doner and a beer. After an eight hour flight and a beer and doner John crashed and didn't wake up until 11 this morning. Sleep was needed! Heidelberg is in plans for later today.

Arrival at the airport

Update from Heidelberg, Germany

The Lighting of the Castle!

Since I arrived last Tuesday (31st, June) I have been enjoying Heidelberg as much as I can. I have been out riding my bike around, climbing (indoor and outdoors), eating donners, going downtown with friends that I haven't seen in a long time, and trying to spend the least amount of money as I can along the way. The highlight so far was going to the Lighting of the Castle in Heidelberg because I got to see a lot of old friends that I haven't seen in a while to reconnect and just see how life was going. It was fun to see all my friends but at the same time it was very apparent that only a small group of people from my class are in town. Most of my high school friends are in the states not having any reason for them to come back. My reasons for coming back are graduation and a job and by the looks of things it seems that I could be about to have a very boring summer if I don't get a job but before that happens I need to help my mom move all of our stuff from the current house to my dads house in Weiden, two hours away. Todays major outing is to the airport to pick up my uncle who has never been out of the country (other than Canada) for his 10 day trip to see my sister graduate and check out Europe. This will be an eye opener for him and it will be fun to bring him around to different old towns and historic areas. I'm about to head to the airport but will try to keep up with the next couple days as good as I can. What is in store?

• Uncle arriving 
• Graduation 
• Trip to Garmisch /Munich
• Climbing with Stella (multi pitch in Austria)
• Walking in historic areas with dad and my uncle
• GOOD TIMES!!

Enjoy reading!

Arriving in Germany

After a 9 hour flight and a 5 hour layover in Amsterdam I finally made it to Frankfurt where I was met in the airport by my dad and sister who were pretty happy to see me. I was expecting Frankfurt to be 90 degrees like the lady had said at the ticket counter as I left Seattle but I guess the weather had changed in the 15 hours of being in capsules and it was slightly raining. Not bad to get me used to the heat to come anyways. After a short drive to the homestead I got the intro I wanted by pounding on the window loud enough to scare my mom who was working on some school work, yep I'm home! Here's a shot upon arrival...

A little jet-legged!