In January 1986, I had been in Germany all of one month when the opportunity to go skiing in Berchetsgaden was presented to me. How could I possibly turn down a weekend in the Alps? That was the weekend where I was properly introduced to Germany. We would ski all day in Berchetsgaden, and then would go to a disco in Salzburg at night. As it was summer during this recent return visit, there was no skiing—and there certainly was no dancing. There was, however, sightseeing in the Alps.
I remember standing on the ski slope as a young man, looking up to the Eagle’s Nest on a neighboring mountain. It was the vacation home of the madman that once ruled Germany. It had been turned into a restaurant and tourist spot, but was closed in the winter time due to the treacherous climb up the mountain. I always thought I would come back. I just didn’t think it would take me 30 years.
To get up to the Eagle’s Nest you have to drive up to a bus depot, and the specially made buses take you up the mountain. When you arrive, you have to walk down the tunnel that Hitler would have been driven down, until you arrive at a golden elevator (sorry, they don’t allow photos). The golden elevator takes you to the Eagle’s Nest. There, you will marvel at some of the most beautiful views you will ever see.
Much like 30 years ago, we spent the day at Berchtesgaden, and enjoyed Salzburg at night. In Salzburg we avoided the touristy spots, and ate at places that were more for locals. I was never into The Sound of Music, but if you are then Salzburg is the place for you.
The last city we visited was Munich. I mentioned it earlier in the series when we went to Dachau. I had only visited Munich once 30 years ago, and as a young man, I didn’t really get how big of a deal it was to visit the city. I spent my entire time in Munich in record stores. You know what they say: Youth is wasted on the young. This time was different though. We had one full day for Dachau, and one full day to explore Munich.
This time, I was not going to spend my time in record stores (granted, there are no record stores anymore, so that was a moot point). I discovered that surfing is a thing in Munich. Yes, surfing.
And what trip to Munich would be complete without a visit to the Hofbräuhaus?
This entry brings an end to the tale of my return to Germany 30 years after I was a homesick young man, stationed far away from everything I knew. If you would like to revisit this series, please follow the links below.
Part One: Iceland
Part Two: Dachau
Part Three: OP Alpha
Part Four: Wildflecken/Rhone
Part Five: Berlin
Part Six: Dresden
Part Seven: Schloss Neuschwanstein and Rothenburg ob der Tauber
I hope you have enjoyed reading this series as much as I enjoyed writing it.