Today, our end goal was the Neushwanstein Castle. This castle was the inspiration for the Disney castle. We took a train to Munich and then Fussen. The train to Munich was crazy packed and a lot of our group had to sit on the floor. For some reason, all of the asian population in the world also wanted to go see the castle on the same random Monday in October as us. Sweet. We arrived to Fussen and then had to take a bus to the base of the mountain that the castle resides in. The town is a small street with stores, food booths, and hotels. At the end of the street is a lake and some hiking trails. We ran to the line to buy our tickets. We attempted to get a group rate since there was like 20 of us. It didn’t work. But hey, we tried. We had some time before we had to be at the castle to enter for our tour. We grabbed some food and used the toilets. I ate a bratwurst and some fries. It was pretty good and cheap! We then hiked up the trail towards the castle. There were a lot of people and also horses with carriages. It was a nice walk despite the people. The trees were golden, the air was crisp, and the smell of fall was in the air. There were also some pretty great views along the way. We reached the top and did some shopping for a bit and then walked into the castles courtyard and waited for our group time. The main entrance was covered in scaffolding (classic) so that was a bummer. Literally everywhere we go, there has been construction. I can’t tell you how mad that makes me. It ruins all the views. We took some pictures of the castle and looked at the classes offered for next semester. Our group could finally enter. We received hand held audio guides. There was probably 35 people in the group, so it was a bit crowded when touring. The castle was finished in 1880. It isn’t an old one, but it channels old styles. It is also crazy extravagant. Ludwig II had the idea for the castle and built it. He was kind of nutty. The details inside were out of this world. We went up lots of spiral stairs to each floor. The ceilings were covered in colorful patterns. oranges and blues and greens and blues. Every inch was either covered in a mural, a colorful pattern, or intricate wood work. It was all very fabulous. He also incorporated swans and dragons all over the castle. He had a big throne room and it is covered in blue and red columns, murals of Jesus and the apostles, murals of kings, a sun painting on the ceiling with a beautiful chandelier hanging from it. The floor was a mosaic mural. The colors were so bright and colorful. He also includes a lot of gold. If it isn’t colored, its gold. The fabrics he used were so beautiful and embroidered with beautiful gold accents. He had bright green curtains and blue fabrics in his bedroom. His bed was covered in the most intricate woodwork I have ever seen. You should google it. It is impossible to describe. He also just had this casual grotto in his house. Just a random stone cave with a garden room with a view. Rich people perks. Honestly, just google Neuschwanstein castle inside pictures. Do it. After the tour, we worked our way back out of the huge castle and stopped for some pictures on his balcony. It was an amazing view. All the mountains and lakes and trees. wow. Then we continued hiking on a trail towards the mountain. We reached a bridge that stretched across a gorge with a waterfall running underneath it. I love waterfalls. The sound of the rushing water is nature’s music. You could also see the castle nestled in the mountainside and the mountains in the background on the other side. The trees and the cliffs and the waterfall went down into a deep hole and then there was a second waterfall on the other side that continued as a river. And of course, the fall colors. I feel like I keep describing the views the same way, so you will have to just look at my photos for a good visual. (If I ever get around to uploading my thousands of photos) We walked a little ways down from the castle back to a small booth and they had a 5 euro deal. It was a mug with hot chocolate in it and a cookie. You get to keep the cool souvenir mug, so I was happy. After we took our short break. We walked quickly down the mountain to catch our bus. The first bus filled up and so we had to wait for the second bus. That was bad because it didn’t show up until 5:50, and our train left at 6:06. That made me nervous. We were really cutting it close. We arrived at the train station at probably 6:03 or so. We ran to that train and found seats this time. It filled up though. All those people at the castle, which was hoards of people, were trying to make this train too. We took the train to Munich, and we ate some dinner there. I got some to go asian. I think this was like my fourth time eating asian food this week. We caught a train to Salzburg. I chatted with Hannah for a good bit even though she just wanted to listen to her music. Oops. Not sorry.

Fun Facts: I bought a watercolor print of the castle during the fall, so what we were seeing. I love it. There were a lot of hiking trails around the castle that would also have been a good way to spend the day. There were like two other castles in that same area you could tour too. Ludwig definitely built one of the others. I am not sure about the third one though. Munich train station is our favorite place to eat because they have a lot of cheap options.

Shoutout: Julianna Rose Woolard! It is your birthday!!! I hope you have the happiest of birthdays, love. Juls was my roommate for one semester, but I feel like we had been besties for years. Our friendship was relatively new at the beginning of the semester, but it took about 1 day for me to fall in love with rooming with her. I am not a morning person, but Juls sure is. Usually, I don’t like that. But Juls made it a happy thing. She made me smile right when I woke up. She made every morning a good one. Started my day off right. Juls is also the cutest person ever and always has hugs and cuddles to offer. She throws out compliments like a flower girl and her petals. I loved it. Juls is a precious soul and she is a friend to every person she meets. She makes them feel like they have been friends for years, just like she did with me. I miss rooming with you beautiful girl. I miss our mega bed that we took way too long to finally make. I miss holding hands in the morning and your smiles. You are a star! I love you and miss you everyday! I hope you had the best day ever!!!!