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imagesNeuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria

Sorry for the long absence guys, but I’ve been busy popping in and out of the state and also preparing for my end of Spring semester examinations.. but hey, lets not pretend you guys missed me and we’ll save ourselves a lot of awkward feet shuffling all around. First ever road trip and it seemed only apt to make it what was essentially a long drive down memory lane – a weekend at Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, which went on to inspire Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.. I know, I know. Everyone’s favorite Disney Princess as a kid was Ariel, what with the flaming red hair and independent lady / misunderstood teenager act going on. As one grows up, however, one’s values change – and it occurred to me that Sleeping Beauty’s story had two of the qualities I treasured most. All she does is sleep and look pretty, and all i want to do is sleep and look pretty. It was meant to be.

Anyway, we rented a couple of cars and drove a long way for what was basically an instagram photo. But oh- how worth it. We also passed through Austria for about five minutes and got all excited about our cross border experience.. you’d expect behavior a bit more dignified from a bunch of 21 year olds, but no. The castle itself was overpriced and beautiful but all the same, I’d skip the entry fee / compulsory tour if I could do it again and just hang around the courtyard. That’s 11 Euros and a very uninteresting half an hour of my life I’ll never get back.

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I think we have at least seven different nationalities here..

Truth be told, despite our original intentions, I have about one photo of the actual castle and about five million of the surrounding scenery. I live currently in the land-locked Stuttgart, and going to the gorgeously scenic borders of Bavaria and Austria was a fantastic change. So very breathtaking. I’ve always maintained that I’m more of a city over scenic person, but this was truly one of the more memorable moments in my past couple of months.

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We caught the sunset by Lake Bodensee on the Rhine on our way back, and it occurred to me how very beauty around us we take for granted. Sitting by the lake, completely relaxed, with friends and craving a beer.. sorry if this was more of a narrative post over a chirpy one, but there are some things you just dont fluff over, you know?

Dreamy sort of weekend. Now that I’ve discovered the wonders of road trips (and unearthed a couple of European friends with appropriate driving licenses), these road trips are going to become a thing.

Hope you guys had a good sort of week too x

x
♥jem