As promised, the ride to Innsbruck was incredible. I feel even more enamored and speechless by the breathtaking views and stops we made on the way. For those that have been, you may understand, these are images that you cannot capture on film. Needless to say, my eyes are wide awake and my mind is spinning.
MUNICH Drive-by
Before crossing into Austria, we made an historic stop to Dachau, Germany which house a concentration camp in the 30’s. Though used as a work camp not a death camp, thousands had died and even more had disappeared. Before arriving, we were told a little about the camp which was to help us gain a better knowledge of it. I guess the one thing that really stuck was that the camp was built to hold 6,000 people, and upon American liberation, 32,000 prisoners were found. Seeing something like this is absolutely humbling and sobering. It is an experience in which pictures say more than words. See the story through my eyes:
View of tracks that prisoners came in on.
Our last 2 hours to Innsbruck was rather quiet on the bus as people contemplated what we had just seen. At least the 1st hour was…it is just one of those things that you just cannot imagine…real horror….real terror….real hell. As usual, I tried to find some trouble and ended up in the front of the coach with our driver Ronny. Chillin in the “Best Seat of the House” as I like to call it is always a blast. Ronny is our driver for the next 40 some days and happens to be the owner of the coach company we used. (16 coaches and 32 drivers.)….best part, is that he has been with IBI for 30 years, so he knows it inside and out. Ronny is always a blast with his great sense of humor and Dutch stories, together, we make an interesting team. As we gazed into the gorgeous sceneries of the passing by Alps, little villages and castles in the hill, there was so much to think about. Unfortunately, the rains came down and the floods came up and the view of the house went splat. Not only did the view, but as we slammed on the coach brakes…I received a nice splat into the windshield….nothing a windshield couldn’t fix. Hahah
Innsbruck is absolutely gorgeous as it lies in the valley of the Alps. The city itself sits shadowed by the immense snow caped (well some snow is still left) mountains. Only 3 adventures have occurred so far that I am sure to remember. Let’s start with the 20 minute gallivant to a laundry mat (Bubble Point) to find out that there is one 3 blocks away…Wow, way to go Lar. Great Job. Bravo.
Oh and how about the European haircut…worse than China…can I look any goofier with a haircut from someone that only speaks German???? I just do not know…these foreign haircuts are always an adventure….for 20 Euros I guess I should just be happy.
Lastly was my incredible run today. Though I want to go back and take pictures, I found an athletic trail that roamed through the Alps with look outs over the city and into the face of other mountain fronts. I even came across another hill of cross that was filled with ancient tombs and old crosses. I cannot feel any more blessed than moments like these. The things my eyes have been able to see and witness are incredible and I can only imagine what is to come.
Did I mention we are staying the Olympic park? Yep…home of the Athletes and Winter games for many years. Besides roaming around with the Austrian team, it is almost like a huge playground for IBI. Tracks, soccer fields, stadiums and so much more is all ours….as Dr. LaFrance says…..We are living the life….this…is…IBI.
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