More of New Years in Prague

A view of the castle side of the city

The hotel where we stayed

The restaurant next door.  Cool huh?

The view on the St Charles Bridge of the castle side of the city

When you're on The Charles Bridge, you can't help but take pictures of the 30 statues that are lining it.  Mom thought it was a waste of time, but I couldn't help myself.  This is St. John of Nepomuk and you are supposed to rub the woman for good luck.  The dog side = bad luck, however most people don't realize this until after they've already done it.  Just a heads-up in case you visit!

A view of The Charles Bride from behind along with the castle wall perimeter in the background.

Back in Old Town Square where the Astronomical Clock is located, this is The Church of Our Lady before Tyn:  Týn Cathedral

 The Powder Tower

 A river view of the Old Town Side

Franz Kafka

 Just a cool building in Old Town Square.....of which there are SO many in Prague

  The Hard Rock Cafe.  Check out this building!

The Astronomical Clock in Prague

The clock first arrived in the 1400's and was

the most accurate clock built during it's time.

We were fortunate enough to see the clock open up as well as the trumpeter that came out and played at the top

This was the coolest thing:

A guy came out at the top of the clock and played his trumpet.

It regal fanfare!

And he waves to the cheering crowd...

Graz- Southern Austria

The trees were hung upside down and lit up at night.

It was really quite beautiful!

 

Die Backeri with an all wooden front

The clock with the 2 dancing figures

The Tangemann's

Mom and I had a really great time in Graz, Austria.  A family friend of ours from Gaylord E Free Church, http://www.gaylordefree.org/, Duke Herzog, arranged for us to meet his sister.  So we did!  Christa & Gunter Tangemann live in Graz, Austria.  They welcomed us into their home and showed us around the city complete with stories of the history of Graz and lovely food conversations as well.  It was a treat to visit them and the highlight of our trip!
This picture was taken at the Sacher Cafe where we had our first sacher torte.  We were told that this was a must when you visit Austria.  It's a wonderful chocolate torte covered in ganache with a hint of orange.

These next few photos are the view from their backyard

 

 

 

Rothenburg- the middle of Germany

The cute little medieval city on the Romantic Road in Germany.

The drive getting to there is beautiful.  Lots of wooded rolling hills, quaint villages and farmlands.

We spent Christmas Eve here eating lunch, wandering around and looking at everything and drinking cappacinos!

We were there when the change of the hour happened and got to see the figures come out with their beer steins and do a little twirl!

 

These next 2 pictures are of the wall that encircles the entire city.  You can walk the top of the wall and it's really cool!

This house might just be the coolest house I've ever seen!

Salzburg- Eastern Austria

 

A Munchner Birthday

I took a trip to Munich for my birthday weekend with some friends and enjoyed the Christmas market there.  It was also so nice to see some commercialization there.  You don't realize that you miss it until you've been away from it!  It was nice to see a lot of stores and the shopping hustle and bustle of the season.

In the picture below:
Wurst, Meaning Bratwurst
You're never more than a second away from 1 in Germany and they are amazing.  Nothing like a sausage in the states.....

Gluhwein is a hot, mulled wine, which you are also never more than a second away from......
I think it tastes like hot cough syrup.  I like wine, but not so fond of this.  People surround the Christmas markets all day and night at these stands.

Die Kleine Backstube, "The Small Bakery"
Very nice, Very nice!

The Munich Rathaus (City Hall) Glockenspiel (Clock Tower)

 

A sampling of the goods in one of the many stands

A Bavarian Store Front Christmas Window
All of the animals are robotic.  It fits right in with the woodsy, outdoorsy, hunting theme that is common around here.