September 24, 2001 ("Meanderings...." Chapter 2)
Hi, Everyone!
I tried to send you the following info from Fiss, Austria, but something
happened (explained in German, so I don't know what) and the letter didn't go.
I'll try again...
On Sept. 15th, we took a bus to Wies Kirche (Church of Tears -- named because a
farmer's wife had a wooden statue of Mary and it started to cry real tears. The
village built a shrine, but so many people made pilgrimages to it, they had to
build a bigger church to house it.) The church is pretty on the outside, but
it's really impressive on the inside. Next, we went to Neuschwandstein and
Hohenschawgau Castles. The latter was where crazy King Ludwig II grew up, and
the former is the castle he built for himself. We lost Minnie's keys on the
shuttle bus to the castle. They were turned in to the ticket office and will be
mailed to us. Fortunately, we have spare keys for just such an occurrence.
The shuttle up to the castle was delayed -- by cows. This was the day all the
farmers bring their cows down from the mountains to spend the winter in the
ground floor under the farmhouses. The village has a festival... a band was
waiting at the top of town and then led the procession when the first cows
arrived. The lead cows were decorated with greenery on their foreheads and the
BIGGEST bronze bells I've ever seen -- probably centuries-old family heirlooms.
Sept. 16th we were up early and on the road by 7:30 am. We left Germany for the
last time. Took a city tour of Innsbruck, Austria, but only the small inner
city. It was Sunday and most stores were closed, but we got to hear a concert in
the old town square. Then we toured the Swarowski Crystal Factory in Wattens.
The cars are all running well, and we were lost for only a couple of miles when
we first arrived at Innsbruck. Then we managed to get out of town with only one
wrong turn -- which landed all 4 Model As on the autobahn... Fortunately, the
cars passing us were very patient as they zoomed past us. On to Solden *Austria)
for two nights.
Sept. 17th -- We are fairly high in the mountains and it snowed last night
almost (but not quite) down to the town's elevation. Beautiful.
Will catch you up on the remainder of the trip at the next available computer.
Obviously having a good time,
Jay, Pat, Gordon & Kendra
