Misconception of Preconceptions

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Journal Entry 18, 11 November 2006 - Misconceptions of Preconceptions

I woke up early on my final day and headed off to the station to catch my 6-hour train trip to Munich, Germany. I boarded my compartment in my old Russian mule and got comfortable. About 10mins later a German woman and her son who were returning from visiting her daughter in Prague joined me. After the normal half and hour of the usual quiet tension I broke a conversation with her. What was to come was an amazing 6 hours of history and different perspectives. She told me how she fled to America during World War II to hide from the Nazis and how you she had made her new home in America. She then went onto explain how a nation has learnt how to come to grips with a history that was so violent and unjust. A history that even she was against, still felt guilty for. The mother was very gracious and offered me a great lunch of cheese and salads. On arriving into Germany I had a whole new perspective and again, which I have stated many times before, my preconceptions were wrong. I said goodbye to my fantastic German Mother who gave me her address details in case I ran into any trouble in Munich and headed into the mass of Munich’s main station.

fun, young vibrant city intrusted with German values however with an un-German easy going lifestyle

The dominant Neuschwanstein Castle
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The instant atmosphere of Munich was that of a fun, young vibrant city intrusted with German values however with an un-German easy going lifestyle. I strolled out of the main station and headed to the Wombats Hostel just across the road. It was cool funky hostel with great facilities, excellent location and to my liking, a fat bottomed Aussie animal for its emblem. I spent the remanning evening chilling out in the big beanbags and soaking up the eclectic atmosphere, which was Munich.

The next morning I got up early and headed to the train station to buy a ticket to the Neuschwanstein castle in Fussen. The journey took a couple of hours to Fussen I then boarded a bus to the village of Hohenschwangau, when you get off head up the hill to buy your ticket. There wasn’t any clear direction to the counter but its there. After purchasing my ticket to the castle that inspired Sleeping Beauty’s pad at Disney, I decided in my infinite wisdom to walk to the castle. You’d think I learnt from my past mistakes, wouldn't you?

The scenary on the climb to Neuschwanstein Castle
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The hike was great but strenuous and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who has young kids or to anyone why generally doesn’t like walking. The buses and horse buggies are also provide a viable option. My tour of the castle wasn’t till late so I climbed to the bridge that overlooked this inspiring castle and my breath was taken away. The castle was something out of a fable and I instantly realised that King Ludwig the III really was mad. The castle was dominant, humongous and detailed. The location was set upon a cliff looking over Bavaria with the Alps behind it, reminding me that no matter what mankind does the size of nature is always superior. Once I got to the suspension bridge I decided I wanted more and again my lack of judgement lead the way. I decided to climb up the side of the cliff - which if I was to fall would certainly mean my death. However the view from the top was nothing like I had even seen. Lakes surrounded by mountains, snow capped peaks, green flatlands and distant lands that time had forgotten. I stood upon the cliff’s edge and just shouted till the air left my lungs. It was a moment of realisation that I had finally made it on my journeys. A moment that nothing mattered, not careers, partners, family, war, conflict - just the fact that this was what travelling is all about - that feeling when you get somewhere that is important to you.

That Suspension Bridge
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After this amazing climb I headed for the castle tour which the interior itself was impressive, however the guide left a lot to be desired. The tour could of been shown it a really exciting manner however it felt more like someone reading out of a guide book. The rest of the afternoon was spent searching the various alleyways of Fussen and then boarding my train back to Munich. What an amazing start to my time in Germany and I knew that tomorrow wouldn't be any different.

To be continued...