I know, I've been kinda slow on posting our pics from Germany...but there are SO many. It's been quite a task sorting through them all looking for the best photos. Enjoy!
Mike and I took an Air Force C-5 flight from Dover AFB to Ramstein AB - talk about a cheap way to fly! Not to mention the convenience of walking across the street from our on base house to the runway. Very nice.
We flew to Ramstein AB because my brother, Kyle, is stationed there. He was our personal tour guide for the whole 3 weeks. He did an amazing job and made our stay awesome. We had only planned to stay for 2 weeks, but the volcano eruption in Iceland extended our stay a week with no flights coming in or going out. We definitely took advantage of the extra time though.
I've split our trip into different parts on the blog just for ease of reading and posting.
The 3 of us.
Like I said, Kyle was our tour guide and his GIANT American truck was our transportation. Kyle has gotten really good at maneuvering this beast down tiny European roads. The looks we got throughout the trip just for being in the truck were priceless!
Our first stop leaving Ramstein was in Nuremberg, Germany. This is the view from Kaiserburg Castle.
Kaiserburg Castle viewed from the Castle Tower.
This old guy was amazing! He walked into the center of the shopping square with a regular soda bottle, put the bottle on the ground, and then balanced himself on it! He was dressed in nice pants, a sweater, button-up dress shirt and tie. Walking down the street he looked totally ordinary.
Oh Fanta. Mike and I don't drink Fanta. It's like a personal boycott by the two of us...I'm certain we make a large impact. :) Being that we were in Germany, Mike broke his boycott for one night - I held strong.
From Nuremberg we began our drive to Prague in the Czech Republic.
Kaiserburg Castle viewed from the Castle Tower.
This old guy was amazing! He walked into the center of the shopping square with a regular soda bottle, put the bottle on the ground, and then balanced himself on it! He was dressed in nice pants, a sweater, button-up dress shirt and tie. Walking down the street he looked totally ordinary.
Oh Fanta. Mike and I don't drink Fanta. It's like a personal boycott by the two of us...I'm certain we make a large impact. :) Being that we were in Germany, Mike broke his boycott for one night - I held strong.Some Fanta history: Fanta originated during WWII when Allies placed a trading ban on Nazi Germany. Coca-Cola was taking a financial hit by not exporting Coke products to Germany and set out to have their plants in Germany re-brand the soda under a new company name to get around the trade ban. This name was Fanta. Fanta wasn't only the orange flavor it's so well known for, it was also in the original coca-cola flavor and several others as well. Same soda recipes, just a different name. The introduction of Fanta in Germany was a slimy way for Coca-Cola to keep their product line rolling and money in their pocket. During a time when all U.S. companies were suffering, Coca-Cola was selling tasty fizzy beverages to the Nazi party. So no Fanta soda for Mike and Kassy. :)
From Nuremberg we began our drive to Prague in the Czech Republic. Along the way we came across a couple great places. The first is this above photo of Klad Ruby. Klad Ruby is a working monastery and was being refurbished when we were there.
Due the construction the doors were locked. Good thing for key holes!
Have a look!
Downtown Klad Ruby. Very cute town.
Then we came across Tocnik Castle. We didn't get to go inside this place either, but the outside more than made up for that!
As we approached the castle gate there were goats just taking it easy on the bridge. My favorite story from this castle was when Kyle looked over the edge into the moat and saw something quite curious...
A BEAR! This place decided to take security to a new level. Who needs water in the moat when you can have a pet bear that doubles as a man eater.
Like I said, we couldn't go in but the guys insisted on "looking around". I was really dressed appropriately for these goat trail hikes.
Made it to Prague! Kyle's truck worked overtime finessing it's way through the narrow streets.
This is a view of the Senate courtyard.
Taking a Pilsner break!
Our GPS took us up a VERY narrow road and dead ended at a flight of stairs. The guys launched into an extended discussion about whether or not we could make it up the stairs in the truck. How did I survive this trip as the only female?!
View of Prague
Streets of Prague
View of Prague and the Vltava river from Charles Bridge.
Prague Orchestra House
Our second day in Prague we visited the Metronome. It's a functioning metronome and was built in 1991. Where it stands used to be a huge monument to Joseph Stalin that was destroyed in 1962.
The park itself is not well kept. It's a place where the "young people" of Prague meet and hang out. They also hold a lot of skateboarding festivals there every year.
This is the downtown market place where we took a carriage ride.
This cemetery is located in the Jewish Quarter and dates back to 1439. There are an estimated 100,000 people buried in this very small cemetery. The Jews weren't allowed to purchase additional land, so when the cemetery became crowed they had to start burying people on top of graves already used. This led to about 12 different burial layers.
Gargoyles that double as rain gutters.
Due the construction the doors were locked. Good thing for key holes!
Have a look!
Downtown Klad Ruby. Very cute town.
Then we came across Tocnik Castle. We didn't get to go inside this place either, but the outside more than made up for that!
As we approached the castle gate there were goats just taking it easy on the bridge. My favorite story from this castle was when Kyle looked over the edge into the moat and saw something quite curious...
A BEAR! This place decided to take security to a new level. Who needs water in the moat when you can have a pet bear that doubles as a man eater.
Like I said, we couldn't go in but the guys insisted on "looking around". I was really dressed appropriately for these goat trail hikes.
Made it to Prague! Kyle's truck worked overtime finessing it's way through the narrow streets.
This is a view of the Senate courtyard.
Taking a Pilsner break!
Our GPS took us up a VERY narrow road and dead ended at a flight of stairs. The guys launched into an extended discussion about whether or not we could make it up the stairs in the truck. How did I survive this trip as the only female?!
View of Prague
Streets of Prague
View of Prague and the Vltava river from Charles Bridge.
Prague Orchestra House
Our second day in Prague we visited the Metronome. It's a functioning metronome and was built in 1991. Where it stands used to be a huge monument to Joseph Stalin that was destroyed in 1962.
The park itself is not well kept. It's a place where the "young people" of Prague meet and hang out. They also hold a lot of skateboarding festivals there every year.
These hand painted eggs were by far one of my favorite souvenirs.
The Astronomical Clock, located in the Old Town Square, has pieces that were built as early as 1410.
This cemetery is located in the Jewish Quarter and dates back to 1439. There are an estimated 100,000 people buried in this very small cemetery. The Jews weren't allowed to purchase additional land, so when the cemetery became crowed they had to start burying people on top of graves already used. This led to about 12 different burial layers.
Prague Castle
Lots of amazing architecture
By the end of our time in Prague we were totally exhausted. We walked so much, but it was the perfect city to be walking in. Tons to see everywhere you looked.
Our favorite part of every day...dinner!
1 comment:
so jealous! great pictures, and so educational
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