Dresden

I feel as if I've started many a entries like so, but I must say -- what a wonderful city!

There was an interesting mix in the style of the city where it was obviously modernized but as we wandered into the old city there was an obvious shift into where the true culture and history of  Dresden lies in the artistry of the cathedrals. I was fascinated by how far the city has come from being completely destroyed.  It was interesting to have a tour guide that grew up in the city when it was destroyed and how she showed us then and now  pictures to give us an idea of the complete destruction the city suffered.

Next we went into the Frauenkirsche and it was absolutely gorgeous on the inside and out.  They remodeled the outside in the style of the time, using some of the stones from the original church before it was destroyed.

After the tour was over we went to a restaurant called "Schnitzelgarten" and it was literally the best food I've had in my entire life. Not to mention I was really hungry, so I basically ripped the giant piece of schnitzel to shreds. It was glorious. After lunch we wandered with Henrieke, and did a bit of shopping.  Later that afternoon we went to see "Hunger Games" which was a great movie! Surprisingly I understood most of it, despite the fact that it was in German.  After the movie we met up with the rest of the group and did a bit of bar hopping with our friend Anna who attends the University in Dresden.  She had jut celebrated her birthday the previous evening so we just continued the celebration. Overall and awesome night!

Day 2:

 The next morning we left for the Konigstein Fortress, and man was that an adventure. We began by taking a train along the beautiful Elbe, watching as the ice slowly melted and the bird sat along the glistening slabs of ice. We made it into the city and we looked up to see the Fortress sitting on top of the mountain in all of its glory. We hiked to the top of this mountain -- Thought I was going to die.  I had an asthma attack on the way up, which was brutal because for awhile it felt like we were ascending straight up.  I stayed back with Matt and Casey and we toook our time to  take pictures and observe the scenery.  As Jackie says "I now have a new appreciation for an impregnable fortress" because that was a rough hike to get to it. Sometimes the path would narrow or be extremely rocky, with steep falls on one side. I can't even imagine how armies would make it up there, especially in winters.

Once inside the fortress it was even more magnificent.  It was so beautifully constructed the way it was basically carved out of the mountain.  It was interesting to see the way things operated back in that time, such as where they stored the food, the well, and all the canons strategically placed around the fortress.  After wandering around in the castle for awhile we got ice cream at one of the small shops up there. It was one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted. Fresh Strawberries and all. We took a nice relaxing nap in that same pavilion soaking in the beautiful sun that had just emerged.