Zurich, Switzerland 2014

           We arrived in Zurich in the evening, nearly getting run over by a streetcar. The street signs in downtown Zurich are not easy to decipher at times, and somehow we ended up on a street that was streetcars only, between two of them! It was embarrassing and it didn't make it any more comfortable that we had German license plates and pedestrians were laughing at us.  Later we learned from Maggie's host father that this is a common mistake. They often notice tourists out there window stuck between the trams.  As it turns out we were right below Maggie's host family's apartment.  Luckily they didn't see us.

SI o no, wiedikon, Zurich

Europe 2014: Innsbruck, Austria & Vaduz, Liechtenstein

     A few days after landing in Germany, Julia and I departed on a road trip in the direction of Zurich, Switzerland.  We left on a sunny late morning heading through the mountains. Our first stop was about three hours west in Innsbruck, one of the larger cities in Austria.  The sun made the mountains sparkle.  Innsbruck is in western Austria and is nestled between snow capped mountains on all four sides.  Walking through the city in the afternoon sunshine was delightful. The architecture and colors of the building in the city center were bright and fun.  We managed to make it up to the city tower, Stadtturm in German and climbed the steps to breathtaking views overlooking the city and the surrounding mountains.

Innsbruck, Austria. 

Innsbruck along the Inn river.

View from the city tower in Innsbruck. 

      We left Innsbruck just before sunset and got on the Autobahn (highway) heading towards Vaduz, Liechtenstein, about 100 miles due west.  Between the both cities there seemed to be nothing but mountains, snow and tunnels.  We pulled into Vaduz, the capitol of Liechtenstein around 8pm.  Before leaving Julia's house, we booked an Airbnb in Vaduz to spend the night. It was more like a youth hostel than a bed and breakfast, as their were bunk beds and students also staying there.  It was a cozy room we had to ourselves.  After having a snack, we decided to check out the nightlife in Vaduz, which was quite a joke.  We saw a flyer on the kitchen wall of the airbnb, claiming that there was live music at this hotel bar.  We punched the address into our navigation system in the car and ended up driving 45 minutes up this steep, windy, icy road to a ski resort town called Malbun at the top of the mountain! Since we had driven all the way up there and prospects of finding anything else were slim, we decided to have a drink at Hotel Galina.  We walked in to an empty bar with a man playing the piano and singing Elton John songs with a thick accent.  The wait staff and pianist seemed happy to see us walk in.  We ordered a few drinks and a snack and the bill was over $80! Liechtenstein is even more expensive than Austria, Germany or Switzerland.  As we were leaving Hotel Galina, we noticed a party going on across the road at the other hotel.

Restaurant Galina Hotel. Malbun, Liechtenstein.

Julia in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. 

Werdenberg Castle, Liechtenstein

View of the mountains in Liechtenstein.

Cafe Conditerei Gulfina, Triesenberg, Liechtenstein.

Heading out of Liechtenstein into Switzerland.

         We decided to do that same drive the next day up to Malbun to see the view in the daylight, as we thought it may be pretty spectacular. The views on the way up were interesting but once at the summit, all we could see was ski resort, as it is nestled between mountain peaks in this sort of valley. On our way down we stopped at a bakery and cafe where I had a piece of cake, and they charged me two francs for a mug of hot water.


          After leaving Liechtenstein, we headed towards Zurich through the Swiss countryside, where we visited a small town, known as the region of Heidiland.  Heidi, as in the story or movie with Shirley Temple was filmed in this region. Since the film came out, it has become quite the tourist attraction. There is a Heidiland, Heidiland museum, Heidihof and other sites.  We didn't pay for any of these tourist attractions. Instead, Julia and I wandered through a quaint town and outside the town a ways to view the countryside full of vineyards.

A small village in the Heidiland region of Switzerland.

Heidiland. 

Translation: "Give every day the opportunity to be the most beautiful day of your life."

Europe 2014: Berchtesgadener Land.

I decided to reduce my posting on Europe into smaller parts because I ended up writing a lot about Switzerland and then it was deleted somehow.  Maybe publishing smaller segments more often will prevent that from happening in the future.

The view from Julia's living room to her neighbors house. 

A boathouse on the Koenigsee, Berchtesgaden.

The outside of Julia's house. 

     After arriving in Julia's town, we spent a day exploring the region of Berchtesgaden including snowshoeing, a spa visit and a visit to the Grassl distillery.


           Snowshoeing in the alps is quite different than on Mt. Rainier here in Washington.  For one, the scenery is magical and magnificent, one can imagine the fairy tales that have taken place in these mountains.  We took a four hour snowshoeing tour with another couple from Germany.  They were friendly and the guide was extremely jolly and helpful.  Though it was beautiful, it was quite a workout. I finally figured out why it is so helpful to have the sticks to hike with. They can help pull you out of the snow if you fall in it and they also help with balancing.

Julia and I on the snowshoeing tour. 

We are having fun, but it was strenuous with the heavy snow and the inclines. 

Me and Julia, 2014. 

"Schneeschuhlaufen" German for Snowshoeing

        After four hours of strenuous activity, Julia and I ate lunch with the other folks from the tour and made our way to the Grassl Brennerei (www.grassl.com) where we were able to sample several different brandies and liquors made locally in Berchtesgaden.  The Grassl distillery is famous for it's Enzian Schnapps, an after dinner digestiv made with a local flower called enzian, which only grows in this particular region of Germany.  It has a strong but sweet flavor, somewhat minty, definitely tasting of herbs.  In addition to Enzian Schnapps, they make a wild cherry liquor, hazelnut liquor, enzian mustard and many other delicacies.

A container of the different herbs used to distill the Schnapps. 

        After having our fill of samples at the distillery, we headed to the spa, in German it is called a "Therme." We visited the Wachsmann Therme in Berchtesgaden, one we had visited back in 2006 when we were visiting my friend Sven in the same region.  The thing about German spas is that they are inclusive of spending the entire day there. This one had saunas, steam rooms, hot rooms, pools, a bar and cafe.  Most of the people there that day were older than 65.  I enjoy this therme as they have outdoor areas that you can cool off in that are surrounded with trees and snow.  They also have an outdoor heated swimming pool. Breathing in the fresh mountain air was such a treat.  We spent about 20 minutes in this outdoor extremely hot sauna, taking in a herbal air infusion.  Julia and I were the only women in the sauna during this time, and the only ones under the age of 40.  We ended up having to leave the sauna before the infusion was over.  As all the older Bavarian men walked out of the sauna, each had something of a wise crack to say to us.  We noted on how Bavarians have a great sense of humor.  It was a great day spent in Berchtesgaden.

Goodbye little red house; Goodbye 2014.

January 11th 2015

Seattle, Washington. 

Dearest Family & Friends,

Happy New Year to you all. I hope this letter finds you healthy and well.  Today is my 7 year anniversary of living in the Pacific Northwest.

As I write this, I realize that I have not blogged since August of 2013. Wow. A lot has happened since then. My year has been filled with adventures, family, love and travel.  2014 began in the windy city of Chicago at below freezing temperatures and piercing winds.  Hans and I spent New Years Eve in Chicago with my family, ringing in 2014 with family and  friends. Anneclaire and Steve, Philadelphia transplants, who previously lived in Seattle, flew to Chicago to meet us for New Years Eve.  My mom had her bi-annual new years eve bash with old-time, swing and some jazz music, piano and accordion tunes included, with a keg from Begyle brewery.

Me, mom and Brendan, NYE 2013, Chicago.

             My brother Brendan owns a successful brewery in the neighborhood of Chicago (www.begylebrewing.com) They kindly donated a keg for the party: a Midwest pale ale.  New years day was spent relaxing after a failed attempt to polar plunge into the lake with my dad.  I think we were all secretly relieved as the high that day was 15 degrees Fahrenheit.  The temperatures dropped as the week progressed.  Hans did many house projects for my mom, including fixing her snow blower, helping with the delivery and installment of a new washing machine, fixing an antique mirror and shoveling endless amounts of snow. Welcome to January in Chicago.  When we flew out, it was 0 degrees outside and 80 degrees on the airplane. Talk about climate control.
Ravenswood

2014...

All City Coffee, Georgetown

Red Ped paintings.

  On January 11^Th, 2014, six years to the date after moving to Seattle, I had my first solo art show in Georgetown: Red Peds: Moped Paintings from Photographs.  I began this series of paintings in 2008 when I first moved to Seattle and lived on Capitol Hill. One of my housemates was a guy who restored mopeds. I was able to photograph them during the repair processes.  There were eight pieces done in oil on canvas, ranging from small to large, all square in format.  They were displayed at All City Coffee, a local, Seattle coffee shop.  The opening was during the Georgetown Art Attack (www.georgetownartattack.com). That evening was memorable, as I randomly ran into another friend of mine in a different gallery who invited me to see Black Queen, a metal band at Slim's Last Chance: quite a divey bar, as the name may suggest.

B.Blume, 2014

         






The following weekend my mom fly to Seattle to visit me and join me in heading down to the 15^Th Annual Portland Old-Time Gathering (www.bubbaguitar.com). It was my 7^Th gathering and my mom's 3^rd.  We had a blast dancing, jamming and visiting friends in Portland.  My band Peckin' Out Dough played a square dance; it was one of the best dances we've ever done; high energy and enthusiasm.  

 

Peckin' Out Dough during dance calling break at the Portland Gathering, 2014

                 We headed back to Seattle on Sunday afternoon to catch the end of the Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49'ers game: a playoff game in which Seattle clenched the division title and headed into the Superbowl. My mom was stoked to be at the rowdy Barking Dog in Ballard, cheering with the other Seattle fans. Hans and his friends had scored us a great spot in the corner. Many of the fans were dressed in lime green and blue, with number 12 jerseys.  I even had to get a photograph of my mom with a guy who had a wild Mohawk and painted face.  We left the bar just in time to not hit traffic coming south on the 99.  We did see the fireworks at the stadium and the Ferris wheel lit up with Seahawks colors. I probably should have been driving, as my mom was quite distracted by the spectacle of lights. 

Mom with some Seahawks fans.

               If January hadn't been quite full enough, I left the country on January 25^Th. I spent nearly a month travelling around Austria, Germany and Switzerland.  It was one of the most diverse and exciting vacations of my life.  I was able to purchase a plane ticket using frequent flyer miles to fly to Munich, Germany on US Airways.  Hans drove me to the airport and we said our goodbyes.  The first flight to Philadelphia was just over five hours, the second flight over the Atlantic was about seven hours.  Of course, flights from the US seem to always arrive in the morning in European time. So I left in the morning of the 25^Th and arrived in Munich on the morning of the 26^Th, though because of the time change, I was not in the air for 24hours, thank goodness. Flying has become less comfortable as I get older.  Perhaps my body is not quite as flexible or self-reparable as it once was.  I called Julia from the airport, as I did not see her after clearing customs and exiting through the security gates.

Andre & Julia, Berchtesgaden, Germany, 2014. 

Julia & Innsbruck, Austria. 2014

 
In case you do not know Julia, she is my best friend in Germany. We met in 2001 when I was an exchange student living in Bad Homburg, Germany.  We had math and English (Literature) class together.  We have been friends ever since.  She visited me in Chicago twice: once for a few weeks with our ex-boyfriends and once for a month by herself. The month-long trip was awesome, as she was able to take a language course and we were able to spend two weeks travelling about the US. We took a trip to New York City and a road trip to Nashville and Memphis.  Julia and I go way back.  I always stay with her family when I go back to Germany.  I was even able to spend Christmas with Julia's Oma, for the last Christmas of her life.  Since we've met, we have been consistent and diligent about keeping in contact; first it was via email and phone calls, now it is via email, phone calls, skype and viber.  Technology has made our relationship seem as if it is not so distant.  I am so thankful for this.

Innsbruck, Austria. January 2014.

So, I got off on a tangent, though I felt it was a necessary one.  Back to the trip.

Stadtturm (City Tower) Innsbruck, Austria.  

If you haven't experienced German culture; Germans are quite terrified of being late for any sort of scheduled appointment or date. Being late makes them anxious, nervous and stressed out.  I have some of that trait instilled in me. But when I am in Germany, I feel very lackadaisical and laid back about time in contrast to the natives.  My friend was not at the airport when I walked groggily out of the security gates. I waited for a bit, then wondered to a different gate thinking "She can't be late, she must have the gate mistaken." After about 15 minutes of wandering about, extremely exhausted and jet-lagged, I decided to change some money to get some snacks, a coffee and some Euro change for the payphone. Unlike in the US, one can readily fine a pay phone that takes change at the airport and in most other public places.  I called a left a message on her voicemail.  Because I have an iPhone I was able to connect to wifi (pronounced WIH-FEE in German) and check my email.  Julia had sent me an email, in which she explained that she confused the times and thought my plane landed in the afternoon.  I could sense the embarrassment she felt via that apologetic email.  It was a two hour drive from her mountain town in southern Bavaria to the Munich International airport.  

Julia and Andre, her fiancee as of this year, live in Schoenau am Koenigsee, the southeastern most town in Bavaria. In fact this Berchtesgadener region is so far south, that it is a small chunk of mountains and national park surrounded by Austria on three sides.  To get here from Munich by train, one must take a train to Freilassing and then transfer to a smaller train to Berchtesgaden.  Then it is about a 10 minute drive to Schoenau am Koenigsee.  This area is mountainous and beautiful.  I was in this region once before, visiting my host brother Sven when he was completing his military duty after high school.  Julia decided to move out of Frankfurt when Andre got a job as a bobsled coach in Berchtesgaden for the German national team.  The bob sled course is about 1 mile from their house.
That's Julia's neighborhood now.

The bobsled course in Berchtesgaden, where the German team trained before heading to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sortie, Russia. 

More to come on Europe and the rest of 2014.............

New York City-August 2013

I love New York City. I do love that big, dirty, grimy, rough city.  I was lucky to be able to visit NYC on my trip to the east coast.  The Bolt Bus goes there from Philly for a reasonable price. I paid $23 round trip from downtown Philly to midtown Manhatten.  It's a two hour bus ride, with traffic.  That's closer than Portland to Seattle.  If I lived in Philly, I'd probably visit NYC once a month.

What is it that I love about NYC? I don't love crowds of people, in fact I am an introvert.  This city is alive and vibrant, yet there is a pace about it that allows space within chaos.  During my two days in the city, I found many moments of solace among crowds. I felt lost within the bubble of activity, but I did not mind.  Having brought my watercolor book and paints to the east coast, I did more artwork during the 30 hours I spent in New York than I did in all of the other places combined.  I may not know how to describe that in words, but I feel as though it is what people call inspiration.  As a visual learner, I take in the environment that surrounds me. In NYC that environment is rich with colors, people, movement, art, music and smells.  As I stepped out of the bus in midtown manhatten, I had no idea my location, but I knew that I could walk anywhere and be somewhere fascinating.  People watching is timeless in this city.

(Brooklyn Bridge, walking Manhatten to Brooklyn; a tradition of mine while in NYC)

I got some cold brew from Stumptown in Chelsea and sat in Washington Square Park near NYU for nearly two hours listening to a brass jazz band busk in the plaza while I painted what I saw.  Another aspect about NYC that really appeals to me is people's sense of self importance.  I noticed that no one bothered me while I was painting in the streets there, it must be common. Either that or people are busy doing there own thing.  

Above is a photo of an old lady collecting cans and bottles out of the trash cans in Chelsea.  She had so much weight on her shoulders, but was balancing it quite nicely on a stick. 

 

 My feet in sandals love the pavement of NYC.  I walked so much. I didn't even use my metro card that I bought on the first day, becuase walking is more enjoyable in NYC.