Off to Europe

Last night I returned home after 2 weeks in Europe with a group of people I humbly call the "greatest family ever."  Overall the experience was all I hoped.  We laughed, talked, relaxed, and shared some of those once in a lifetime experiences.  Perhaps one of my favorite came on the last day, when we were privileged to hear a concert in the Pantheon.  Apparently the first one in recent history.  Seriously blew my mind.  But more on that later.


I want a place to document the trip for my friends and family, so I'm going to try to relive it a day at a time here.  Hopefully no one will be overwhelmed with all the photos this way, too!  I finally started shooting again, after not touching my camera in nearly a year and half.  So as you might imagine, I've filled up my hard drive with images of Germany, Italy, and the Wittes.


DAY 1 / May 25-26  ---  Flying to Munich & Taking the Train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen 


The plan was for all of us to meet up in Philly to fly over to Munich.  Trey came from Nashville, Evelyn from Charleston, Jan & Sto from Myrtle Beach, and me from NYC.  Trey missed his flight due to traffic, then mine was delayed several hours due to fog in NY.  To catch the connection to Munich, I ended up SPRINTING from one end of the Philly airport to the other - in platforms.  Thanks goes out to the golf cart lady driver who took me the last 100 feet before I collapsed.  


It was about as bad as it gets trying to catch a flight.  I knew if I didn't make it, I'd be stuck in Philly for the night without a room.  Mom must have told every person on the plane I was coming because they made an announcement as I huffed and puffed my way on board.  Then there was clapping and we were off.


Eight hours later we arrived in Munich.  Then we caught the subway (called DB) to the main train station.  From the train station we had an hour or so ride to the Edelweiss Hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.  


http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/home.html


This small resort town is mostly known for world class skiing in the winter and great outdoor adventures in the summer.  In order to host the 1936 Olympics here, Hitler actually made the mayors of these two small town combine into one.  Thus Garmisch and Partenkirchen became one.  Although, apparently the locals still don't see it that way.  The whole area is known as GAP for short, but your are either from Garmisch OR Partenkirchen.  


The total trip from NYC to GAP took about 12 hours.  Since I'm a terrible plane sleeper, a nap was in order for the rest of Saturday.  It's true what they say about jet lang.  It was about 3 days before I was truly on German time.  


Trey ended up arriving at the hotel about 12 hours after us.  But even after spending that first night in airport, he was in high spirits the next morning.  And in true Trey fashion, he entertained us with stories of his journey to Munich.  One way or another, all the Wittes made it across the Ocean!

My new friend Tatianna and I tried to talk on the ride to Garmisch.  Thank goodness her English is far better then my German!

Garmisch-Partenkirchen Train Station.

Hay fields outside of GAP.  This is the only time of year the fields are full of flowers.  By the time we left they were harvested to make room for the hay.

View from my hotel room of the Alps.