Hello Germany, Goodbye Switzerland

I've been traveling through Germany, Austria and Switzerland with my parents before Spain and it has been wonderful! We haven't had much internet so I'm going to give a picture summary of our trip. The beauty is stunning. So many times I've almost thought to pinch myself to make sure it is real and I am not lost in my own imagination or a fairy tale. 

I wrote this after we went and visited Dachau concentration camp in Germany and then we went to Salzburg, Austria. We haven't had internet so when I say "today..." it actually was earlier this trip. 

Today I witnessed death.

In the morning I witnessed death in shame-life taken inhumanely-stripped away almost as if the devil himself devised the way. In fire and smoke, reeking of burning flesh and disintegrating bones; lives lost with memories flying away on the winds of ash, neither valued nor remembered. It was death witnessed in tears and bile and gray, wondering where was God in this? Did His tears run out as the stench of His chosen rose up to Him seeming to be naught an aroma of sacrifice nor of a willing martyrdom. I could almost hear the screams and wails of thousands, of millions as blood hit the sky but dark ash concealed it. Death. Shame. Disgust. Dachau.

In the afternoon I witnessed death to be celebrated, life complete. Ancient gates guarded prized humanity in curved designs with pristine locks saying, “You shall not enter here to disturb the rest of these valued individuals” Bordered by bright flowers in pinks, reds, purples, blues, yellows-a myriad of life, highlighting the beauty of death as a final resting place. Just beyond the sanctuary following a cobble stone path littered with weeping willows and oaks in the sunlight. Caught in the shadows of grand spires reaching to the heavens, cathedrals catching the presence of God. Did He have tears for these ones? Tears of joy or celebration? Death. Celebration. The Catacombs of St. Peter, Salzburg.

What is life but a passing shadow, a vapor yet gone? What is death but a meeting place with the Almighty?

We went on the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg and learned all the facts about the movie and the accurate information about the Von Trapp family. 

We went to the famous Disney Land castle, called the Neuschwanstein Castle, in Germany. It was magnificent! It definitely stimulated my creative, story writing mind as we walked through the large painted caverns. Though it was expensive and the tour was less than informative, we learned more about the castle listening to some history podcasts in the car leaving the castle.

We left Germany and went to Switzerland. One of my new favorite places in life. It was so beautiful, we couldn't stop using expressions such as, "unbelievable, so great, amazing, incredible, I just can't believe this..." and yet none of them ever got old because they were all so sincere. We spent our time eating chocolate and cheese and hiking through the Alps. I've decided one of my new favorite things in life is trail running through the Swiss Alps, it doesn't get much better than running with Jesus through these peaks to the sound of cowbells. 

My Dad and I went hang gliding in the valley over Lauterbrunnen. It was crazy! You are flying over 3000 feet from the ground and gliding right next to cliffs. 

This is the highest railroad station in Europe. You take a train up to 11,332 feet on the Jungfrau  mountain, Switzerland's highpoint. From the top you can see amazing views of all the high peaks including the Eiger. 

My dad and I went hiking a route that takes you on the side of cliffs and crossing canyons on cables and a huge suspension bridge clipped in to cables the whole time. While there we met this base jumper. We were able to talk to him for a while and watch him jump! He had jumped from the top of the Eiger's  famous North face the day before, which is a 5,900 foot cliff. I asked him if he was scared of anything. He responded, "Of course, I'm scared out of my mind now. If I wasn't so scared I wouldn't jump." An interesting thought, is this true for other aspects of life, I wondered as I watched him fly away unattached to anything.  

So goodbye Switzerland, for now....I'm now saying goodbye to my parents. It was wonderful to spend time with them and what a great trip we had! And on to Spain!