Diversity: The World Through An 18 Year Old's Eyes

Schloss Nymphenburg's 10 Best Sights

allie_way — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 19:39:00 GMT

Warning: This journal entry is written from by a fangirl. There may be gushing, drooling and eye-twinkling laced throughout the story.

Princesses, castles, knights and ballrooms. Golden mirrors, tall ceilings, rococo everywhere you look.

If people could see my daydreams, I might be viewed as six years old. I'm still stuck in the days of a monarchistic world. Only, my imagination tends to make it a bit more romantic than what it probably was. My head is flooding with Kings, Emperors and their noble advisors. I think about how life must have been back in the days of a Monarch. Scary and admirable at the same time.

Moving to Germany didn't help me with my childlike dreams. During the years that we vacationed in Germany, I tried to persuade my family into viewing King Ludwig II's castles. Over the course of 6 years, nearly every palace was checked from my list. Not just the ones he built, but the ones which he and his family resided in. All except one.

Schloss Nymphenburg.

When you're standing in front of the 700 meters of elegance, it's hard not to lose yourself to the impeccable taste of Bavarian rulers. They certainly knew what they were doing when it came to building... despite the enormous expenses and debts that encircled the constructions.

No matter!

Today, Germany is a prosperous economy and we can enjoy the summer palace without a trot.

Schloss Nymphenburg was used mainly as a summer residence for the rulers of Bavaria after its construction. Elector Ferdinand Maria built Nymphenburg for his wife, Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, as a thank you note for the birth of a son.

I wonder if he grew up to be spoiled (I'm rolling my eyes, if you can't tell).

The castle began construction in 1664 and thankful remains today. Over the next hundred of years, Bavarian rulers expanded the magnificent palace and its grounds.

I won't lie. Many people told me that Nymphenburg was somewhat of a disappointment.

"It wasn't as grand as other castles."

"There wasn't much to see."

"If you're only in Munich for a couple of days, don't waste your time."

Oh, but how wrong they were.

Schloss Nymphenburg's 10 Best Sights

Though the main castle only allows you to see one floor, do not feel cheated out of your money. Behind the castle is where the true magnificence lies, so make sure that you buy a pass to see all of the grounds. It costs 11 euros for anyone over 18 and free for those under.

Don't miss that deal!

Now onto the fun stuff. I'm going to toss out my opinion of the top 10 sights at Schloss Nymphenburg. Hopefully, I won't only excite you, but persuade you to make a day of this spectacular place.

Oh, and another quick tip: BRING YOUR CAMERA! Nymphenburg lets you take photos everywhere (just make sure you turn off that flash!).

10. Badenburg

Quick german lesson!

Bad = Bathroom/Bath

So, Badenburg is what we know as a bathhouse. Badenburg is located towards the back of the park grounds and awaits you with it's traditional charm. Don't worry! It's no more than a four minute walk and signs will easily guide you in the right direction. The wooded stroll is also extremely relaxing; you won't feel rushed to get to your next destination.

When you first enter Badenburg, the main hall is certainly a sight to see. It takes up two stories and surrounds you in the traditional rococo feel. The next three rooms are completely different, so get ready!

All three rooms are shouded in Chinese wallpaper. One of them is the oldest Chinese wallpaper in the world! Another section is dubbed the "monkey room". Take a look at the ceiling if you're wondering why. I won't give any spoiler pictures.

And of course, what is a bathhouse without a bath? An enormous bath, on that note! As you stand over the balcony and look down into the tub, can you imagine all of the wild parties they must have had? I can't help but view it as its own room!

Anyone care for a bath?

But, more important than the bath itself is the marble balcony. I think they wanted to kick me out. I was gawking for far too long.

9. Magdelenenklause (Hermitage)

"What is that old building doing on the palace park?"

The small building tucked away sneakily in the woods was purposely built to look like a crumbling hermitage. It exists to teach us a lesson:

There is frailty in all things earthly.

The building was created in 1725 in order to "escape from reality" and find spiritual awakening.

As you enter the deserted building, the first thing you'll want to do is make your way to the alter niche. Hold on! Make sure that you look up before anything else. The ceiling is decorated completely in seashells and stones. I trust you won't have a hard time missing it.

L to R: A view of the spiritual room. Part of the alter niche.

As you make your way down the dim halls, the rooms seem to hug you with their beautiful, oak panelling. Though they make for marvelous photos, I couldn't help but feel a tad frightened. The whole building was eerily quiet. No one seemed to notice that it was there. When the light flickered through the tree branches it was almost like the shadow of Max Emanuel led us through the halls.

This is certainly a stop you'll want to make. Even if it does send a shiver down your spine.

8. King Ludwig II's Birth Room

Here's where the fangirl comes in. I couldn't help but be awed by the lucious, emerald room where King Ludwig II was brought into this world. Supposedly born on August 25th, 1845, mystery surrounded Ludwig his entire life from the day he was born.

Ludwig Wittelsbach II was named after his grandfather, who was also born on the 25th of August. Many people believe that the prince was actually born three days earlier, but the family kept it a secret in order to form a stronger connection between the shared name.

It does seem to be a slim chance that he happened to be born on the same day. However, speculation passed quickly as the country fell in love with the beautiful heir.

It was only when he became king in 1865 that they began to have their doubts.

Read more about my favourite historical figure here:

Short Biography

Timeline of Important Days

7. Apollo Temple

Sorry, but you're not going to see the giant Greek ruin here. The Apolo Temple at Nympheburg is still charming in its own way.

I don't know what it is with me and temples, but I've always had a fascination with them. I blame it on the heart-breaking scene in 2005's Pride and Prejudice.

"From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry."

My reaction:

Anyway.

My mother and I didn't find a way to get there, nor did we have the time. If you do have time, try and find the path. Situated perfectly on the shore, the Apolo Temple's view of the sunset will certainly take your breath away.

Skip it if you're on a time crunch. You can easily spot the temple from Badenburg.

6. Pagodenburg

Many people were shoved out for not having tickets here, so make sure that yours has Pagodenburg on the check-off list.

This building is certainly the furthest out, but it is absolutely worth the walk. If you tired halfway though, stop for a minute and feed the ducks. They'll apprecaite it.

Pagodenburg sits on the edge of the main canal. The royals used to play "mailspiel" here, a game similar to golf.

Inside, you might want to instantly scream, "Delft!". But, hold on. When you take a closer look at the blue and white walls, hundreds of Chinese men will be the ones to stare back at you. Not quite as lovely as a Holland village.

The uniqueness of the 4-roomed palace is certainly evident. The porcelain wall designs take you on a blast to the past. Nymphenburg was a huge porcelain manufacturer in the 1700s.

My mother and I were so excited by the ground floor that we were certain that was all there was. Think again! A small staircase will lead you to more Oriental treasures.

On the right is anyone's dream lounge. A green day bed comes complete with a canopy to block out your noisy relatives. The fireplace is perfect to cuddle up next to with a good book. I don't know about you, but that is my paradise.

On the left is what appears to be a tea room. It's amber walls flash white flowers in your face that are certain to make your eyes twinkle. For a moment, I forgot that I was in Germany.

5. King Ludwig I's Gallery of Beauties

This was my favorite room in all of the buildings. The Schönheit (beauty) Gallery took me utterly by surprise.

Ranging from a shoemaker's daughter, to Ludwig I's daughter-in-law, the Gallery of Beauties defies the classes of society. Ludwig I was determined to start a collection of beautiful female portraits, regardless of their income.

Every picture was perfectly chosen. Ludwig I clearly had a great taste in women. You can only imagine all of the mistresses he had. As you look into each of their eyes, each woman's story invites you in. There are dancers, princesses, paupers and rebels: all of them resided in Munich.

From L to R: Marie, Ludwig I's daughter-in-law. Lola Montez, dancer and actress. She later became Ludwig I's mistress. The puplic strongly disliked her for her arrogant manners. Helene Sedelmayer, daughter of a shoemaker. She brought toys to Ludwig's children and married his valet.

There are many more beauties that you can read about here:

History of the beauties

4. The Great Hall

Anyone care for a turn about the room?

This is the first thing you will see on your tour of the Nymphenburg Palace. Though the tour is only of one floor, you will see an array of treasures. The Grand Hall is by far the most magnificent room, and what most tourists long to see when it comes to palaces.

This room has not been changed since 1758. There's the exception of polishing up, and some daydreams floating around the air.

3. The Front Facade

This palace is huge. It stretches out far past your view point. It's no Versailles, but taking some photographs in the front will certainly make your family members smile when they check their emails.

There is a pond and a canal in front of the castle, each flooding with ducks and swans (the Wittelsbach royal animal). Make sure you get some photos with them! They love the attention.

2. Marstallmuseum

Carriage of King Ludwig II

Okay.

Where do I start?

The Martstallmuseum holds an enormous amount of carriages and sleighs from the 18 and 19th centuries. You can see anything from a musician's cart to the enormous coaches built specifically for Ludwig II. Each one is sure to impress, but nothing is as astounding as the Mad King's collection.

There are also 26 paintings of Ludwig's favourite horses. Throughout the room you can find famous portraits and photos of the King and his relatives. For the art lovers, a porcelain museum awaits you upstairs. Don't forget to take a glance at one of the oldest carousels!

Being a fangirl, I was thrilled to see wedding lace from Duchess Sophie's unused veil. It was a bit heart-breaking, but certainly a treat.

King Ludwig II and Duchess Sophie: The couple that never was

Be sure to check out Ludwig II's favourite horse. "Didn't he die in 1886?" Well, yes. The horse has been stuffed and stands as proudly as he did when Ludwig rode him. If you get close enough, you can see the stitches where he was... Well, you know.

1. Amalienburg

Finally! We've come to the end of our tour.

A small palace and hunting lodge built for Maria Amalia, this building is clearly a perfect hideaway. Though it may look like another mini palace from the outside, and even on the inside, you must take a closer look at everything to see the true beauty of the place.

If you're instantly expecting glamor, don't get your hopes up. The first room is built with simple wood panals and designs. It's different, but let's keep walking.

Making your way into the following rooms is where the true gasping begins. The colourful walls are completely decorated in silver rococo decorations. But, is it just another day at the palace? Underneath very silver twist and turn is actually carved wood! The carvings are a truly rare as it was time-consuming and a difficult process.

All of that silver stuff is wood.

Take a second.

Take it allll in.

The Hall of Mirrors has the exact same jaw-dropping effect, but echoes a bit of Versailles or Herrenchiemsee. The unique, circular shape of the hall is a pleasant surprise and can easily be listed as my favorite room in the hut.

Next up is the hunting room, easily recognized by the hunting scenes on the walls. Perhaps it was encouragement for the Queen to get active on her lazy days.

And finally, the kitchen. I'm assuming the Queen didn't cook for herself, but if I were her, I would want to sit in there and at least watch. The delft Chinese tiles are back! Make sure you look at the left corner above the stove. The designers ran out of tiles, so there seem to be a few misplaced flowers hanging out.

What's for dinner?

Well, dear reader, I hope I convinced you to take a trip to Nymphenburg during your future Germany visit. For those of you who have already seen the palace, I hope you can agree with me on my top 10. I'd love to know what some of your favorite sights were!

Leave a comment below and tell me all about it!

-Allie

Photos: Tomahawk Western and American Lifestyle Festival

allie_way — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 03:53:00 GMT

All things "western"

I went WHERE in Austria?

allie_way — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 00:57:00 GMT

Tomahawk Western and American Lifestyle Festival. Dern tootin', I did it. Forget about the Mirabell Gardens and Schloss Schönbrunn. Tomahawk is where all home-sick American expats want to be in mid-August during their Austrian vacation. There's plenty of BBQ, beer and country music to take you back to the good old saloon days.

Tomahawk was introduced to us by a couple of our friends. Me and my parents were thrilled about the Johnny Cash cover band (I like to pride myself for being a Johnny fan since the age of 15) and the next thing we knew, we were knee deep in knives, choppers and Memphis music.

I can't say that I'm ashamed of going. I'm not even depressed with their view of "American Lifestyle". Because, in the end, it was truly a fun experience. Located on the grounds of the tiny Schloss Mamling, Tomahawk was certainly a sight to behold.

Before I get into any ridiculous experiences, I'll give you a little layout of the land. Let's get started, shall we?

Paintball section. I've actually seen more paint balling arenas in Europe than I ever did in America. Needless to say, I have a fascination with the "sport" and don't blame them for including it in the festival. I didn't get a chance to view the colourful wounds inside, but I could certainly hear the death-threats and pleas from the other side of the field.

Teepes and archery center. I think that caption pretty much says it all.

Oregon Trail Campground/Civil War Tents. There weren't too many period costumes, but the people who did dress up went all out. I saw a couple of Confederate soldiers, an Abraham Lincoln doppelganger, numerous Scarlet O'Haras and a stern-browed Judge to make you shiver in your Wranglers.

There was a lonely Union soldier wandering about the grounds. Apparently he got lost.

Music Tent. This is where the bands performed and where the real magic happened. You looked skyward to the beautiful decoration of Confederate flags (please note my sarcasm). Waitresses bustled about in their mini jean-shorts, ready to serve you all night. Most of our evening was spent under the big, white canvas.

The booths. The booths ranged from mini donuts and soft serve ice cream (good luck finding THAT in Austria or Germany!) to Native American jewellery and knitted sweaters. It was basically like your typical county fair.

In Montana.

The Western Sports Area. FINALLY! Some good old American football! No more soccer mixups! We want head-on tackles, huge shoulder pads and plenty of sweaty men!

Oh... wait. Why are there blow up bubbles in the middle of a kiddie pool?* People are inside of the bubbles. Is that supposed to be fun? Wait, where is everything else? Is that all there is?

Cue heart-break.

Little Indian Area. Complete with miniature ponies, a rock, and a couple of logs. Have fun, kids!

The Car show. The "car show" was a bunch of cars coming onto a small stage and revving their engines as loud as they possibly could. I couldn't breathe for ten minutes until all of the smoke had dissipated into the distance. I thought Europeans were supposed to be Earth friendly?

Well, who can blame em. If you've got a 4x4 in Austria, you're DEFINITELY going to want to show it off.

The Saloon. Empty room with a couple of bar tables and ZZTop music. Not exactly a saloon, but when someone blasts La Grange, you can't be too harsh.

The Toilets. There were only three stalls for each gender and they were all kept surprisingly clean. The only issue was that the doors were open all night and you could see the men in the urinals a little bit too closely. I get that Americans are friendly, but we're not that friendly. So, have a little bit of American curtesy and shut the door.

The Highlights

For me, the highlight of the evening was the Johnny Cash cover band known as The Cashback Five (see above video- that was at a different festival). They didn't try to sound exactly like June and Johnny, but their accents were strong and the music was certainly toe-tapping. Hearing some timeless American folk music was certainly worth the 30 minute drive.

Another highlight was the people. I don't mean this a negative way, but it wasn't exactly the money-falling-out-of-my-pockets sort of attendees. In fact, I much preferred the tattooed, giggly, loud mouthed Austrians to what I normally get on the streets of Salzburg. The rednecks of Austria aren't that different from home. I was genuinely honoured by their deep passion for our culture.

My mom and I were heading back to the car when an elderly Austrian man stopped us in our tracks. The conversation that followed went something like this:

"Are you from Tennessee?"

"No, Ohio! But we have a house in Germany."

"Ah! Ohio! Of course. You enjoyed yourself tonight?"

"The music was very good. I'm surprised everyone liked it so much."

"Yes! Yes, the music. You know, the language is just... wow."

I never thought of the twangy accents of the south to be wow, but something made my heart flutter when he uttered those words. The Germans and Austrians don't always welcome the outsiders with open arms (Austrians are better than Germans, I've come to find). In the end, people are always people and you just need to spend time with those who respect you.

A perfect example would be my little Austrian friend.

Another highlight for me was the lead singer of the Memphis Four. But we won't get into that, because although I'm an 18 year old girl, I am not going to gush like a typical teenager. I will be a professional and mature writer.

Even if he was gorgeous.

My only issue with the Memphis Four was that there were three of them...

Moving on.

The Negatives

There was nothing about the actual festival that put me off. Once I learned to laugh at most of it, everything was a breeze. There was a lot of smoke in the tent, but I should have known that would happen going into it.

I've always been fascinated with Native American history, so more of that would have been enjoyable. I can't even seem to place my finger on the exact time period they were going for. There was too much of the Civil War, modern Texas, and Oregon Trail for me to properly choose.

The festival seems to be an annual event. I'm not suggesting you drop everything next August and fly over to Austria just for this laid-back surprise. I'm just saying that if you happen to be in the neighborhood and you're looking for some late night smiles, this might want to be at the top of your list.

If you would like to see more photos of my Tomahawk adventure, please visit my homepage. :) Thank you!

Do's and Dont's in Bavaria - 10 Easy Steps

allie_way — Tue, 7 Aug 2012 10:17:00 GMT

When you're travelling to Bavaria, there are a lot of things you might want to know. You could always dive headfirst into a world of Lederhosen, volkmusik and beer, but isn't it always a sigh of relief when you have a slim idea of what NOT to say? That's what I'm here for. So, sit back and bear with me as I try to explain my crazy Bavarian life the best that I can.

What NOT to do in Bavaria

Step 1: DON'T expect the roads to be easy.

Driving in Bavaria is a real treat. Its rolling hills and open sunflower fields are enough to make any sourpuss stop to snap pictures like a Kodak rep. However, things are not always as lovely as they seem. When the autobahn says "no speed limit", they're not kidding. However, don't think you have permission to speed. You may not see a cop around, but there are cameras galore. If you think you're getting away with it, just wait until a surprise ticket shows up at your door (personal parental experience).

Thankfully, German drivers are very safe. In my many visits, I've seen maybe three wrecks. And it was probably because of a deer. Another thing that some people might have an issue with are the curves. For the life of me, I cannot understand their problem with straight lines. Even if you are going through a completely flat valley, the roads twist and turn through invisible barriers. Just a warning for the easily-taunted tummies.

Step 2: DON'T leave food on your plate.

Erm, or try not to. It's not the end of the world if you do, but every time I leave a spaghetti noodle in the bowl, I feel instant regret. I can just picture the waitress's face right now. "Was? Es war nicht gut?" And then there's me, with my stomach bursting from my pants, trying to explain that I'm just full, but that the food was "sehr lecker". It's a struggle for them to understand, so you'd be better off eating when you're truly hungry. And a side note: good table manners receive a silent thumbs up. Keep those elbows off the table!

Step 3: DON'T get totally wasted.

Bavarians love their beer. And you can find some GREAT beer over here. If you're coming during the much loved Oktoberfest, (which is actually in September, for those of you booking your tickets a month too late) you can certainly meet great people and enjoy a night with the some fine Paulaner. But, public drunkenness is not appreciated. Germans are civilized and personal people. They don't want to hear you singing outside of their windows at three in the morning. They don't want to see you making a fool of yourself, for your sake AND theirs.

Step 4: DON'T wait to go to the restroom. (And always have change.)

Public restrooms? Forget about it. You're lucky if you find one somewhere other than a train station and in small towns you might as well just go on the side of the road (which is very common, by the way). Many of the restaurants will not let you use their water closets unless you are a paying costumer. So, why not make an adventure of it? Go to a cafe, drink a delicious Eiskaffee, and then use the restroom as many times as you can. Oh! And ALWAYS have small change on you, because I would say 80% of restrooms charge (20 to 50 cents, give or a take).

Step 5: DON'T be afraid to meet new people.

Bavarians are great. I complain about the grouches a lot, because there are plenty of them, but overall they make for a good experience. The Bavarians seem to appreciate it when you speak to them in German, but don't be offended when they reply in English. Many of them 40 and younger are familiar with the language and want to practice their skills as well. Being friendly with others, and saying "Grüssgott" as you walk down the street, will likely put a smile on their faces. But, be warned. Bavarians are probably not going to do the same to you. They're private people; it can take years to officially be considered someone's close friend. They also won't appreciate it if you try to share life stories upon the first meeting. Just give it some time. You never know what kind of fascinating people you'll meet!

What TO DO in Bavaria

Step 1: DO know the rules.

There are a lot of unlisted Bavarian rules. For example, please be quiet. Especially on a public train. In my home town, there are even "quiet hours" during the night. I believe they start at 10, and if you are being too rambunctious, the police have a right to come. What happens after that? Hopefully, I'll never know. Also, pick up your dog's stuff. And don't litter. The Germans love planet Earth.

There are also some important laws to know. Flipping someone off is a serious offence. Keep the bird in it's cage until you're back in the airport. Don't jaywalk. I believe it's a 100 euro fine, and certainly you'd rather be spending that money on Bavarian chocolate. Keeping your car unlock is a no-no. Can you believe it? Cops can come and check to see if your doors are open. And if they are...

Step 2: DO pick up on some Bayern-Deutsch (before and during your trip).

Oh, so you speak German, do you? I thought I did as well. Think again. Bavarians do NOT speak the German you are taught in school. Their language is different, but it's unique. Many endings are left off and their fast tongues can startle even the strongest German speaker. But it's fun, it's silly, and it'll make you feel like a real local.

Step 3: DO relax.

Bavarians, Austrians, heck ALL Europeans love to just take a break. In Bavaria, your dinner is NOT going to be an hour long. Strap yourself in real tight, because you may be there for four hours. And that's just the appetizers. Just kidding. Bavarians truly do love to take their time though. They let the food last and the memories last even longer. There are so many beautiful cafes and restaurants that it's hard NOT to sit and enjoy the view. If you're really itching to go because you have another church to visit, politely find the waiter and say, "Zahlen, bitte?"

Step 4: DO enjoy the little things.

Big cities like Munich, Regensburg, Rothenburg or Passau have amazing tourist destinations. So, go ahead and visit them! Make sure that you have time to take the road less travelled. Big cities and little cities alike have so much to see. There are hidden churches, amazing wine stores, and mouth-watering chocolate shops just calling your name. And they're just a little bit away from the city centre! And on that note, if you have the cash and time, go and try on a traditional Bavarian Lederhosen or Dirndl (My dirndl was 200 euros- cheap for the traditional garb)! You see them a lot in Bavaria. They're like cowboy boots in Texas. They wear em with pride.

Step 5: DO make the trip totally your own.

Let's say you just woke up after spending all day on your feet in Munich. Your legs are sore, your head is aching, but you had plans to drive five hours to see King Ludwig II's Neuschwanstein. Don't feel obligated to squeeze it all in one day. There are plenty of beautiful little towns scattered all over the German state. And if you DO want to go to see the castle that day, then go for it! The way I see it, everything in Bavaria is worth seeing. There's not a disappointment in sight. So, make the most of your trip. Make it totally and completely yours so that the memories are unforgettable. Take my words lightly; everyone's experience is different. And that's what travelling is all about.

Photos: My Life in Bavaria

allie_way — Tue, 7 Aug 2012 06:26:00 GMT

Just some snapshots.