One last ride - Linderhof & town of Oberammergau

 All good things must come to an end .  But our last day abroad was no less action packed.  We started by going to Linderhof castle.  It is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one which was actually completed and that he lived in most of the time from 1876. It was designed to be a rococo-style royal villa after his original idea to build a magnificent Versailles-inspired palace.  After a tour of the castle we went to the town of Oberammergau,known for its once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play in the Passion Play Theater. After lunch and shopping in the town it was time to head back to Munich. Later on that evening we had  our farewell dinner. It was tempting to stay longer. After all after an experience  like that it is sad to go. But  it definitely assured me that I want to continue to see as much of the world as possible. 

Munich and Nymphenburg Palace

 For most of the trip the weather was in favor. There was only one time I can say the weather was not in our favor. That was when it was time to go to Munch ,Germany.  When we got there it was cloudly and even rained for a little bit.  But despite the weather we still got to see the Glockenspiel, which dates back to 1908. This colorful mechanical clock has life-size figures that dance to music with shows several times a day.  We also got to visit   Nymphenburg Palace with its gorgeous Baroque facade, once the  summer residence of Bavarian rulers.  After visiting the palce, we got a tour by bus of the city of Munich. Olympic Stadium situated in the heart of Olympia Park in northern Munich built as the main venue for the 1972 Summer Olympics.  But the night did not end there. We ended up going to a liginament German beer hall to check out the scene there. It was loud, crowded, full of people and music. But it was definitely more fun than American bars because it was definitely a more positive  atmosphere. That is something we can all learn no matter where we are in the world - just to have fun, have a meal and enjoy one anothers company. 

                 The hills are still alive with the sound of music. 

Our next stop on our trip was Salzburg , Austria.   If you are a music lover, this is the city to go.  Not only is it Mozarts birthplace.  But you can visit places where they filmed The Sound of Music, and learn more about the family that inspired the movie starring Julie Andrews.  After a walking tour of the city we also went to visit Eagles nest. The view  was amazing. I am still trying to picture Hitlers driver driving him up there back in the day because for us to get up there, our tour bus took us up to a certain point. Then another bus that was specifically for going up the winding road .  There was no origonal furniture there because it was destroyed the Allies when they came in . So it is just a resturant now.  But they still have information about the history and our tour guide mentioned students visit the concentration camps as a reminder of their history so it won't be repeated. To end on a fun note, our last stop  before our hotel was the Gazebo where the song "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" from The Sound of Music was filmed . So let's all remember to continue to be excellent to one another. 

                   So, there are no kangaroos in Austria . 

We got a walking tour of the City of Innsbruck, Austria. There we got a tour of the old section. The Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) is a landmark structure located in the Old Town (Altstadt) section of Innsbruck, Austria. It is considered the city's most famous symbol. Completed in 1500, the roof was decorated with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles for Emperor Maximilian I to mark his wedding to Bianca Maria Sforza. The Emperor and his wife used the balcony to observe festivals, tournaments, and other events that took place in the square below.

We also learned this culturally and historically rich country often times gets confused with Australia, even on the iPhone for some time, which is where the phrase “No kangaroos in Austria” comes from, because in actuality this country has so much to offer on its own. 

The walking tour ended with something that everyone understands in any language-jewerly. We got to go inside the Swarovski store there and look around. Founded in 1895 in Austria, the company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones as well as finished products such as jewelry, accessories and lighting.  After looking at all the bling we took a train to Seefeld where we got to take a horse carriage ride through the town. After we got back to Innsbruck, we got to let our hair down for the evening and see  a Tyrolean Evening Show with the Gundolf Family. It is one of the best folk performances all across Europe which only includes authentic Tyrolean music, Folk dances and “shoe-slapping” as well as typical Tyrolean songs and “yodelling”. They have got to perform all over the world. It was nice to have a couple of drinks and watch them perform before turning in for the night. 

                              Time to storm the castle! 

Next stop on the tour was  Neuschwanstein Castle  . Seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig II in 1886, Neuschwanstein was opened to the public. The shy king had built the castle in order to withdraw from public life – now vast numbers of people came to view his private refuge.I was nervous about the tour because I knew it was going to be alot of walking.   Just to get to the castle after our tour bus parked, we had to  take another bus up to a certain spot  where we had to still walk half a mile to the front of the castle. Then we had to wait to be let in the castle courtyard. There we had to wait until our time slot before we could be let into the castle. Then inside the castle  the palace building has 5 floors, so you'll have to go 165 steps upstairs, and 180 steps downstairs.  Let's not forget about the walk back as well! I was nervous because I live in Converse, Tx.  I live in a one story house I don't climb 165 steps on a daily basis.  But I got a  reminder that I am still stronger than I give myself credit for. I was able to make the climb, see the rooms they where touring , and made it back to the tour bus in time.Although no pictures could be taken inside the castle, it was still a dream come true to finally see this retreat. 

            Adventures in Switzerland continues

The next stop on our trip was a walking tour of Lucerne , Switzerland.  We got to walk on the 14th century medieval Chapel Bridge one of the oldest covered wooden bridges in Europe. It is named after the nearby St. Peter’s Chapel, and was built in 1333  It's purpose was to connect the  old part of town on the right bank with the new part on the left and to serve as protection from attack that could come from the lake at south. One of the characteristics of Chapel Bridge is that it has painting hanged bellow its roof. In the beginning, it had length of over 200 meters, but in time, because of replenishment of banks, it was shortened and now has length of 170 meters. After the tour of Lucerne, it was up to Mount Pilatus. It is  best known for its mystical dragon legends and stories of Pontius Pilate's soul. There I really feel like I got the Swiss experience. Not only was I in the mountains. But I also got to see someone play the alphorn. As icing on the cake,  I learned even 7000 feet up you can find  a watch shop in Switzerland. In the town there where a bunch of watch shops, even right by each other.  But finding a shop up in the mountains was a nice suprise. So, if you know someone who loves watches, run don't walk to Switzerland. They will be able to get a watch as fancy as their budget allows them.   Then it was nice to shop and enjoy the town a little more before our next adventure. 

The Black Forest and Switzerland. 

The adventure continues. We went through the Black Forest region, an area of unrivaled natural beauty with its dense forests of thick pine trees.  There we got to see a cuckoo clock demonstration. I was just amazed by the amount of detail they put into those clocks. I was tempted to bring one home but I didn't know how cuckoo the cuckoo clock would make me after a while .  Then we got to shop, and most importantly, try the Black Forest cake there.   Then it was time to head over to Switzerland Our first stop  was Schaffhausen, where we got to see the thunderous Rhine Waterfalls; one of Europe's largest and most powerful falls.  We also stopped to see the inspiring Lion Monument, one of the best-known monuments in the country, created in remembrance of the heroic death of Swiss guard killed in 1792. Then we got to head for our hotel for the night.  There I learned you do not have to worry about desert in Switzerland.  After our dinner  at the hotel I didn't realize there was a desert as well. But the waiter said ,"this is Switzerland, ofcourse there is desert."  But  they forgot my coffee when I requested it with my desert. So while I got desert, they forgot my coffee by mistake.  Desert, coffee, desert , coffee. Like the Swiss I am remaining neutral on this.  I was also happy we where staying at the same hotel 2 days in a row because normally we would have to pack up in the morning before we headed to breakfast. But staying 2 nights meant one night we did not have to pack up our belongings and put them on the tour bus.  (It really is the little things.) 

                                                             Rollin' on the river! 

Have you ever heard the expression when you're early you're on time, when you're on time you're late , and when you are late well, you're late?  That is the case when you are on a tour group.  We had to have breakfast, have our luggage out because we are checking into another hotel later that evening, and be ready to leave by 8. So that meant we had to be ready to board the tour bus by 7:45 am.  Our first trip was  a cruise on the Rhine river. We got to see hilltop castles, terraced vineyards and villages of timber-framed houses along the course of the river. We also got to pass by the Lorelei rock rising vertically from the waters named for the siren "Lorelei" who bewitched sailors passing by. After the ride on the river, we headed to home to the oldest university in Germany, view the imposing red sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle originally built in the 12th century.  Since Germany is home to 25,000 castles I was happy just to see a few  while I was there. 

                       Ready , set- go!

It is almost Halloween.  If you live in Converse, Tx that means the high is still 89 degrees.  My mom and I where fortunate to get a little break from the heat because from October 7th-17th we got our passports and headed for Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Our first flight was from San Antonio, Texas- Atlanta Georgia. Then we got a connecting flight from Atlanta, Georgia - Frankfurt, Germany. After the long flight, a girl from Gate1travel picked us up, as well as other passengers who where also traveling with gate1. We headed to our hotel - the Hilton Mainz. We got to meet our tour manager  and check in for the night.  Then before our welcome dinner we got to take a walk around the city of Mainz. We got to walk along the Rhine river which was nice after the long flight. What also caught my attention was the architecture of the buildings because we don't have that back in the states. I also couldn't believe we where within walking distance of the Gutenberg museum.( We didn't get to go in because it was close to our welcome dinner.) But I still got to see a statue of the man who invented the movable-type printing press. At the welcome dinner we got to have a glass a wine, and meet the other people on the tour with us.   After dinner, mom and I  headed back to our room , excited about the tour that has just begun. 

 Hello everyone! Sorry it has been a while since I last blogged. But it has been a busy these past few weeks.  I took a few days off for the holidays.  It been nice being able to sleep in, read, and relax.  Right now I am just drinking coffee and My mom and I are almost done binge watching The Amazing Race. (Hopefully they will be able to continue to shoot more episodes after the epidemic is over.) 

As most know, I have traveled by myself every summer since I was six to visit my grandparents in Washington state from Texas and vice versa when I went to college. I have been to France, England, and the Philippines. I have traveled for business and  for fun.  So, in preparation for the traveling I know we all want to do once it is safe again. Here are some travel tips.

1. Cooperate with airport officials.

2. Keep your travel documents (passport, tickets, ect) with you at all times.

3. If you have to have a connecting flight, try to make it with the same airlines so the gates won't be too far apart. 

4. If possible find your gate first then  go the restroom, get food, ect if you need to before your flight.  

1st Blog of 2021

 Happy New Years everyone! We all made it to 2021. Sorry it has been a while since I last blogged.  I took time off for the holidays, and honestly I wasn't sure what I wanted to blog about.   But after everything I guess what I want to say is this. Remember we survived everything that happened in 2020, and the new year just started so we still have the chance to make 2021 what we want it to be.  So as we head into the new year, continue to be "excellent to one another." 

-Donna Buse

Let the Christmas countdown begin

Well, another week has passed. At this point, I am just counting down the days until Christmas. I am  looking forward to having a little time off work, and  knowing 2020 is almost at an end.   I try to stay positive with everything going on. But like everyone else there have been days when I am like I got this. There have also been days when  I have been like how much longer is this going to be? 

It has felt weird not  being able to travel or go to conventions like I have in the past few years. So I hope that sometime in 2021 everything will go back to normal. (Or as normal as it can be.) 

So here's to  Thanksgiving leftovers, Christmas trees being decorated, and Christmas lights being put up reminding us that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. 

Be safe, take care of each other, and ofcourse Happy Holidays! 

-Donna

Rainy day weekend

Happy Sunday everyone! Well, Thanksgiving  has come and gone. Thursday I ended up going on a walk that morning. I made my macaroni and cheese recipe and then went to the Bells house for Thanksgiving dinner. After that mom and I saw her friend Lydia, and then my friend Jenn and I walked around downtown to work off our dinner. 

Mom and I where planning to go to Corpus Christi Friday and Saturday. But the weather kept us in San Antonio. But maybe it happened for a reason.  Since mom and I where at home, we got to catch up on more of The Amazing Race, and do a little bit of window shopping for the holidays. So, it was still a nice Thanksgiving Day weekend even though I ended up home bound.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day weekend as well.  Remember as the holidays roll around to stay safe and take care of each other. 

-Donna

Sunday night blog

Happy Sunday! The week went by quicker than I thought.   My mom and I have got addicted to the reality show The Amazing Race.  If you haven't seen the show , 12 groups of people are in a race around the world competing for the top prize of a million dollars. It starts and finishes in the United States.  In each country they visit , they have to complete tasks based on the history and culture of the region they are at in order to move on ,and of course the first team who completes the races 13 legs gets the million dollars.  I guess since we aren't encouraged to travel right now, we can watch other people travel and telling taxi cab drivers to go as fast as they can.  It is a definite reminder that we really do have a huge world to explore and I definitely hope to see as much of it that time and money will allow me to. It also reminded that as we get closer to Thanksgiving , we still have a lot to be thankful for. So enjoy the turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce this year everyone. Stay safe, and take care of each other.

-Donna 

How much is too much?

Happy Saturday everyone! My Friday the 13th turned out to be pretty well. I got to go to Santa's Ranch in New Branfuels to look at the Christmas lights there. It was a perfect out of town getaway for the evening. I know it may seem early but my moms friend told us to go early to avoid the crowds.   If I didn't tell you, my lab top was giving me the blue screen  of death when I was trying to log on Wednesday evening. So I gave it to my friends the Bell family to look at . Friday they told me that I can log on again. Yeah! Thank you so much! 

Now that my computer is back it made me wonder how dependent we are on technology because when I got the blue screen I was up until 2/3 in the morning trying to fix it.(I know shows how much I know about computers , right? lol)   Plus, one of the things that will always amaze me is what  we can do in this day and age. With just a few strokes of the keyboard we can connect with a friend, or family member,   have a conference call with the people we work with, and even have food, as well as other items delivered right to our door step. But how much connection is too much? Right now with people having to work remotely, home is now the office as well blurring the lines even more.   As much as technology helps us connect with everyone, it can disconnect us from the people we are close to. So,  don't forget to disconnect and connect with the people around you during this time. Ofcourse, stay safe and take care of each other.

-Donna

Waiting for the world to change

 Happy Sunday everyone!

Well it has been quite the week. My Halloween was nice. My friend Eddie came over, and we  watched Hocus Pocus, and an anime called "Case Closed." It is an anime about a 17 yr old detective who after taking a mysterious drug, is turned into a kid again so he is trying to figure out who turned him into a kid and of course solving mysteries on the way.   Yesterday I was able catch up with a co worker as she put on a birthday party for her grand kids. It made me realize, this year has been a lot of waiting. Waiting for things to open up again, waiting to hear news about the virus, ect.  Just remember, even though everything has seemed to change overnight , there will still be some things that will stay the same. There will still be turkey and pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving. There we where still be presents at Christmas time. So to everyone enjoy the upcoming holidays.  Of course stay safe, take care of one another, and save some pumpkin pie for me.

-Donna

The little things

 

Happy Tuesday everyone! 

Sorry I didn't get to write last week. It turned out to be a really busy weekend with friends. The hi light was definitely getting to see Sarah and Dario's newborn baby boy Maximo.  One of the things they mentioned changed after having the baby is they don't worry about little things anymore like how clean the house is when they have company over.  It is definitely true.  So in honor of the little things I will talk about what I remember most about Halloween. Aside from trick or treating , it is actually the friendiversary for me and a couple of my friends. Melanie invited me over to her house on Halloween , along with a couple of her other friends and all of us have been friends ever since. After that, we would get together whenever we could to play games, eat, and catch up while Melanie and I went to college.  It is those things I remember the most as I continue on this road  we call life. Now the hang outs are further between. But I definitely still remember those times , and it definitely  won't be the last.  So in the midst of all the chaos, don't forget the little things because you never know when they will become the big things.

Stay safe, and take care of each other.

-Donna

End of the work week blog

 

Happy Friday everyone! It actually felt like fall today. We only got up to the 70's today. It was nice walking in the cooler air tonight. Aside from there, here in Texas we started early voting.  I am big on that because it's your way of saying who you want to represent you. . No matter who you vote for don't worry - as Evelyn Beatrice Hall said "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." So, if you have to go the polls, or have a mail  in ballot, don't forget , and don't be afraid to voice your choice my friends. I was fortunate that it didn't take too long when I went to the polls. I went to Kirby City Hall after work. I got there at 5:35 pm. There was a bit of a line. But I was done when the people working there where stepping outside to see who was in line at 6. No matter who takes office in 2021 I just want to see us really come together again. I feel like we have let ourselves become divided over everything in 2020 because of everything when we all really want the same thing . We all want things to go back to how they used to be more or less before the epidemic. We all want to be able to gather in groups again, travel and go places without having to wear a mask. I don't know when we will be able to again, but we will eventually. Until then, stay safe, stay healthy, and take care of each other.

-Donna

Living in the moment

Happy Sunday everyone! It has been quite the week. We had our first Vice Presidential debate. Today just ended up being a quiet day. Mom and I got groceries for the week, and now I have Hocus Pocus on to get into the Halloween spirit. The one thing in 2020 that has been the hardest for me to do is not worry about things that are clearly not in my control. If you know me , then you know I am an extrovert like Anna from Frozen. I love traveling, and seeing my friends. I like having things to do, and places to see.  So being told to social distance myself ,and only go out when you really need to has been a challenge. But, I remember a conversation I had in college. It was that we get depressed when we think of the past because we think of what could have/ should have done. We get anxious when we think of the future because we don't know what is going to happen epidemic or not.  So the only way to really be happy is just to be in the moment. Plus at the end of the day , the only thing we really have control over are our own thoughts and actions.  We can't control what other people are going to say and do. The epidemic will end eventually. So all we can do is do our best to live in the present. So stay safe, stay healthy , and take care of each other everyone.

-Donna 

Perhaps some changes will be for the better

 Happy Friday everyone! It clearly been quite the week.  Joe Biden and President Trump had their first debate.  The smell of pumpkin spice is in the air. It is now October and yesterday a friend of mine announced she is going into labor to have a baby boy. :0)  I have no doubt in my mind her and her husband will be great parents.   I am still in shock because it wasn't too long ago some other friends of mine had a baby girl and became wonderful parents. Plus I still remember when we where all in high school before we even started thinking about things like kids. (At least like you do when you are in your twenties/ thirties.) 

It reminded me that ever since this epidemic started I have been wondering what "the new normal" will be once we can actually gather in groups again like we used to.  I have often said I see people still working from home, and continuing to make use of applications like zoom, windows messenger, skype, ect for work. As well as services like Amazon to deliver our stuff, and uber eats to deliver our food.   But the news also reminded me that even in 2020 there is still lots of life and love in this world. I hope we don't lose sight of that in spite of everything.   Stay safe , stay healthy, and take care of each other everyone. 

-Donna