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From Dutch Land to Deutschland

Last weekend was our first opportunity to travel independently! Alex and I tagged onto another group, so we didn't have to do all that much planning, which was a blessing. We left early Friday morning, and several trains later we were in Munich! I had been to Munich in 2008, and I loved it even more the second time around!! Our first hostel experience was pretty decent... it helped that it was only our group in our room! That night we went to Hofbrahaus, a classic Munich place to visit. The waitresses are decked out in traditional Bavarian clothes, men wear feather hats, a band plays, and you just jump in at any table that has space in a huge, bustling room. This meant eating with strangers, which turned out to be really fun. Poor Alex got a full 1 liter beer spilled all over her only pants for the weekend, which stunk (literally) at the time, but it just made for another story!

Saturday morning we went to Dachau concentration camp, which I had also already been to. Going again just made the impact greater; I think it would be impossible to grow numb to the place even if you went every day. The cold and stillness of winter made it feel even more eerie, knowing that thousands of people had stood in the exact same place, without the coat, hat, scarf, boots, and layers I had yet was still shivering in. It was such a somber, humbling experience. We were all in shock and trying to understand the depths of evil in this world as we left. It breaks my heart that such evil exists. And that atrocities that are just as sick are still occurring to this day. I understand the historical significance of  remembering the Holocaust, and am fascinated by studying it, but what about the present? What about human trafficking, abuse, and all of the other sick things that are happening right now? I am so confused by how small I am in this world and how any of us are supposed to make an impact... 

That afternoon part of our group broke off and went to the sweet little town of Fussen early. We got (had) to run through the train station to make it on time... I think we all satisfied some movie-cliche fantasy by doing this. After enjoying a wonderful Italian meal, we were given bad directions for our hostel several times, but we enjoyed exploring. And when we finally arrived, it was so worth it! It was a cozy house made into a hostel, much more welcoming than the metal bunks and dorm-style showers in Munich. 

Sunday morning we went to Neuschwanstein Castle... I think one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Last time I went was in the summer... it was so pretty to see the surrounding mountains covered in snow. The temperature at a balmy 5 degrees and having a time crunch, we trekked up the mountain after giving up on waiting for a horse-drawn carriage. I loved the castle, again, but had forgotten how limited public access was, so the 11 Euro entrance was a little steep. After our tour we all ran the mile-long path down the mountain in order to make the bus on time so that we could make all of our trains for the day! It took 9 hours and 5 trains to get back to Maastricht, and we lost a backpack and a person along the way... luckily the person made it back. Traveling by trains feels so fun and adventurous, but I don't know how long that feeling will last!



Hofbrahaus
We love Munich!
Dachau entrance... "Work sets you free"
Crematory
Winter wonderland

I totally got busted for taking this picture of Tiny
Mickey in the gift shop... oops. But you can see the
whole castle this way! 

These girls are gems. I am so blessed! 
I love my sweet roomie! 

I am so sad that this blog cannot convey all of the laughter, adventures, emotions, friendships, learning, and growing that I am experiencing! I am having the time of my life! 

P.S. I was terrible at taking pictures this weekend so I snatched some.... photo creds to Anna, Hailey, and Kristen!







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