In the Venetian heat

The tour has been going so quickly. I left off at St. Goar in Germany. Home to the largest coo coo clock, the invention of the teddy bear and a famous beer stein shop. The town is so sweet and simple... but the architecture, displays in the shops and the people are unlike anything I've encountered. Feels like a new home :) There are castles converted into hotels right up the mountains. Angella and I took a hike up to one of them; the view was silent, still and spectacular.

The only pub still open was the one at our hotel. Everyone was inebriated by the time we got back. The beer bottles are big. I'm taking one home.

We took off to Munich the next morning. We saw the Glockenshpiel... (bad bad spelling... it's the big clock) a little golden bird sings everyday at 5pm. We drove by the field where Oktober fest was being set up, I wish I was around for that... another time for sure. We headed to the famous HB (Hofbrauhaus) beer hall. The place was MASSIVE!!! a field of tables... we were informed not to sit at tables with pictures hanging over them... they were reserved for the big drunks that keep their own beer stein at the HB. The tourists got served with 1L glass mugs. I had 2L of beer that night plus a traditional meal of pork palm and potato duplings.... I'm never eating again. Munich is beautiful and suprisingly packed in anticipation of Oktober fest. Everyone in the shopping district look very stylish. We took in the sights with what little time we had. Street performers were great. A violin and cello trio played Bach Air (my fave piece) and I also heard an xylophone rendition of Beethoven's moonlight sonata.... By an amazing and talented musician. I got yelled at by the fruit lady. Apparently, you can't touch the fruit you want to buy (because teh front ones are for display purposes). I had no idea what she was rambling on about in German, but I don't think she was wishing me good day.

We drove through the beautiful mountains of southern Germany today and headed into the Austrian Alps... all the while singing to the Sound Of Music, how perfect is that?!!
The view was breath taking. Castles from left and right. We stopped overfor a couple of hrs at an Austrian town called Innsbruck. It is surrounded by mountains, and home ot the biggest Swarovski crystal shop in the world. Austria was nice... I'll be back.

We drove throughout Austria and onto Italy. The commute has become some of the best parts of the trip. The scenery is well worth my $$... Plenty of grape vines in Italy. The wine is spectacular here. I'm headed to a night club to celebrate someone's bday... (someone who's already smashed beyond recognition at the moment).

This has been the most productive day in a long time... 3 countries!!!
arrividerci bella/bello!!!