Gorgeous Places

8/1/10 11:20 AM We spent last night in the small German town of Andemach, on the Rhein River. It was a gorgeous little town, with an old section of narrow streets filled with shops of all sorts. The old section was surrounded by a large stone wall with several tall watchtowers. After exploring all the streets in search of a candy store, (we were not successful) we went for a walk by the river. It was a warm, clear night, and many people were walking along the river also.Our hotel was small, but very quaint and very German. Today we went for a short river cruise on the Rhein. There were many small towns and castles on the sides of mountains. Definitely photo-op territory. Tonight we will be in Munich, then off to Italy the day after. I'm really looking forward to eating some traditional Italian food (my family keeps making fun of me for always talking about food, so I've decided to continue the trend.

8/1/10 6:04 PM I'm sitting on the bus now after leaving Rotterdam. I'd say almost half this tour is spent on the bus. It's nice from the standpoint that I'm getting to see tons of Western Europe, but a few more inches of legroom would be greatly appreciated. Rotterdam is one of the few German towns that was never destroyed by war, and therefore is wholly authentic, not recreations from more modern times. We spent time wandering around the main square and some of the side streets. Everyone complained that cobblestone was hard the feet and ankles, but I really thought it was cool. We ate several authentic German pastries called Schneeballs. It's like a ball of pie crust cover in powdered sugar or donut frosting. Once again the Europeans prove they know a thing or two about food. We spent lots of time in souvenir shops looking at all sorts of German things like coo-coo clocks and swords. I still can't get over how expensive things are here. Though that might be because we're in all the touristy spots. When we meet up with Tim and Kathrin we'll have to see if they can show us some cheaper spots, or if Europe is just that dang pricey.

8/1/10 11:58 PM Five days into the trip. A very full, busy five days. From visiting a diamond carving plant in Amsterdam to seeing Weinstmisster Abbey, crossing the Enlish Channel and traveling the German countryside. I can't believe how many historic sites I've been too, and how much amazing food I've eaten. I'm so thankful for digital cameras. I'm able to take hundreds of pictures, and see right away that they're good. No more getting home to realize that Kyra closed her eyes for every picture in front of Big Ben. Our tour guide is Luigi, an italian with long hair and a long beard. He looks like of like Jesus, if Jesus were an italian tour guide. Our bus driver is also an italian named Luigi, but he looks more like the kind of italian that would be in the mafia. Who knows, maybe he is.

8/2/10 11:04 AM So far Austria is the most beautiful country we've been in. Littles towns are spread out through mountain valleys, with houses and castles dotting the sides. It's very picturesque. I'd love to get of the bus, walk up to the one of the houses, sit on the deck, and just take in the view of the Alps. Alas I can't do that. The bus doesn't make stops like that. Also I suspect that the locals wouldn't take to kindly to a stranger sitting on their deck. We are currently in the Alps in a small town called Innsbruck. It is yet another picturesque (there I go using that word again) town along out tour. Like many other European towns, there is a large square with many small roads branching out from it. Along these roads are small shops, most of them selling things tourists want, like pastries *cough*Kyra*cough* or hats *cough*Camden*cough*.`