European Cities-- Very pic heavy

[CaliforniaPeggy]

As promised, here are some pics from my vacation. Enjoy!

The highest railway platform in the world: The Alps in Switzerland!








Strasbourg, France: A medieval hall where we had lunch:




Chagall Church windows:




The city of Mainz; houses typically had religious figures on the corners for protection:


A Holocaust memorial in Mainz:


Sights in Bamberg:






Nuremburg, city of war trials, and so much more:






Regensburg:




Strasbourg: The Cathedral: The first pic is Lucifer and a foolish virgin. Note the rats and snakes on his back:




The Melk Abbey: Parts of "In the Name of the Rose" were shot here:




Vienna! We heard some incredible Mozart music here, in a theater where he'd played:




Bratislava; this town has a sense of humor!




And Budapest:

[MrScorpio]

1. Europe is so cool

You've just reminded me how much I miss it.

Thanks for the pic, Peggy

Welcome Back!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear MrScorpio!

It is an amazing and cool place, indeed!

Thanks for coming by, sweetie...

It's great to be home!

:hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

29. You did all of this in what, a week?

Truly amazing

The pictures are really beautiful and capture the essence of the sights you saw so well. Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip and welcome back!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

31. No, it was more than a week!

The tour itself was about 15 days...

Glad you liked these, and it's great to be home!

:hug:

[Haole Girl]

3. Thank you for posting these!

I've never been to either Switzerland or Austria, so I really enjoyed these. :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear Haole Girl!

I'd never been to those countries either, and I was happy to get there...

I had a hard time deciding which one to post...the scenery is so incredible...

Thanks, sweetie!

:hi:

[Inchworm]

4. Wow! I bet that was some train ride

Wonderful pictures!

I like the Lucifer one the best for meaning and face of that Cathedral for.. omg-wowness.

Thanks!!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear Inchworm!

It was an amazing train ride! At the top, we were over 2 miles up! We were encouraged to get out on two different stations on the way up and walk around, in order to start to get used to the altitude...

I'm not religious, but that pic of Lucifer gives me the chills!:scared:

Thanks for your kind comments, sweetie!

:hug:

[Inchworm]

17. Awesome!

I know what you mean about that picture. That's why it caught me. Now.. that's art!

:)

[Auggie]

5. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Thank you, my dear Auggie...

It was my pleasure.

:hi:

[XemaSab]

6. Cool!

Thanks for the pictures!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. My dear Xema!

Aw, thanks, sweetie!

Glad you could come by today...:hug:

[femmocrat]

8. Gorgeous pictures, Peggy! Thanks for sharing.

My dream is to go to Prague and Bratislava, where I have family.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. My dear femmocrat!

What a wonderful part of the world to have family!

I know you'll have a great trip...

It's always my pleasure to share whatever cool things I see in my life!

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

[Shell Beau]

9. Very beautiful!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. My dear Shell Beau!

Thanks, sweetie!

My camera didn't let me down at all...

:hug:

[av8rdave]

13. Wow! Spectacular...thanks for posting!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. My dear av8rdave!

The only way it could have been better? If you'd been our pilot!

Thanks, sweetie!

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. Yay! My virtual va-cay has arrived! Glad you had a great time. :^D *hugs*

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. My dear GreenPartyVoter!

Oh, I'm so glad you like these! We had a really good time, and I hope that someday you get there too...

:hug:

[jeff30997]

20. Fantastic breathtaking and fabulous pictures !

Thank you for posting them ! You're a very talented photographer.

What a wonderful trip it must have been! :bounce:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. My dear jeff30997!

They did turn out, didn't they? But, it wasn't me...

I just point the camera, and it takes the pics!

With scenery like that, it's hard to take a bad pic...

It was a wonderful trip, and boy, am I happy to be home!

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

[cwydro]

22. I love Europe!

Always enjoy your pictures, Peg.

Glad you're back. The Lounge was in a spasm while you were gone!:rofl:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. My dear cwydro!

I love Europe too! An amazing and wonderful place, for sure...

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:


Yeah, I heard about the Lounge...Glad that's over!

:hi:

[hippywife]

24. Welcome home, Peg!

Glad you had a wonderful time and thanx for sharing the pictures. It's good to have you back. :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. My dear hippywife!

Aw...

Thanks, sweetie!

It's great to be back...

:hi:

[BlueJazz]

26. That was beautiful and thought-provoking. Thank you so much!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

27. My dear BlueJazz!

Ah, thank you!

I'm so glad you like these...

:hi:

[SeattleGirl]

28. Just beautiful, Peggy!

Thanks for the pictures, and welcome back! :loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. My dear SeattleGirl!

Aw, so glad you had a moment to see these!

I had so much trouble choosing...left many good ones out...

It's great to be back, I can tell you!

Glad you liked these!

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[JeffR]

32. Well, it's been worth the wait!

And that last one, pow, right in the eyes!

:applause:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

34. My dear JeffR!

Aw, sweetie! And you're the professional...I just play at taking pictures.

That last one was the view from our cabin on the boat of the Danube in the city of Budapest.

Hand-held, on auto. It flashed but I knew the pic would still turn out...Amazing!

Thanks, Jeff!

:hug:

[JeffR]

61. All the more, that makes that a great, great shot.

And I'm severely underemployed as a paid photographer, maybe because there are a lot of people - like you - whose "play" is better than my "work".

And I really hope you post more mementos of your trip soon. Judging from these photos, it must have been an incredible experience.

[Blue Diadem]

33. Welcome back Peggy! I've been waiting for your pictures.

Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you had a good time.

I love all the pics, but that last one is my favorite I think.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

35. My dear Blue Diadem!

I hope these were worth the wait...

I'm so glad you enjoyed these!

Thank you for your very kind comments...

:hug:

[seemunkee]

36. Is that the Eiger in the second picture?

I'm guessing you took the train up the Jungfrau.
Nice pictures all around.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

37. My dear seemunkee!

I'm not sure of the name of that one...

That was indeed the train we took. It was so much fun!

Thank you for your kind comments...

:hi:

[Call Me Wesley]

89. It's the monk (Mönch.)

:hi:

[Initech]

38. Seeing those pictures makes me want to go back!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

39. My dear Initech!

Well now, if that isn't the ultimate in compliments!

Thank you, sweetie...

Glad you enjoyed them!

Hope you can get back soon...

:hug:

[Dystopian]

40. Welcome home, Peggy : )

It's nice to have you back...
:loveya:
I'm happy that you had a beautiful vacation..
Thank you for sharing the photos...
They are absolutely breathtaking...



peace~

[CaliforniaPeggy]

41. My dear Dystopian!

I'm so glad to be home once again...

It was a fantastic vacation, but not having much internet access was tough.

I'm glad you loved the photos, sweetie...

Thanks!

:loveya:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

42. I love the old European cities

In our arrogance we love to believe America has such an incredible history when the average age of its city's buildings is typically far less than a hundred years old. However, the European heritage goes back hundreds, in some case thousands of years, and is full of timeless beauty and grace.

Thanks for the pics.

Now, when do we get to see the videos of you yodeling your way across the mountains?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

43. My dear Prisoner_Number_Six!

You've really hit the nail on the head about our history and how really young it is...

Seeing Europe really pulls everything into perspective!

And, as for any such video: You will NOT see it, because it doesn't exist! :P

Glad you enjoyed the pics, sweetie...:hug:

[Catshrink]

44. Beautiful photos!

Thank you so much for posting these. I'm sure you're proud to be a citizen of the world!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. My dear Catshrink!

Thank you!

I really feel like this is our world, and I love to share what beauty I see...

:hi:

[Catshrink]

56. Then post more photos of you...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

57. ...

:hug:

:blush:

[WCGreen]

45. Womdeful pics, peg...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

51. Thanks, Chris!

Glad you had time to have a look...:hug:

[Ptah]

46. What a magnificent visual experience.

:hug:


I am sobbing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. My dear Ptah...

Aw, sweetie...I just wanted to pick the ones with the greatest visual punch...

I guess I succeeded, huh?

Thank you...:hug:

[LeftyFingerPop]

47. Truly wonderful pics, thanks for sharing, Peg

:hi: :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

53. My dear LeftyFingerPop!

I'm so glad you enjoyed seeing them, sweetie...

Thank you!

:hug:

[Captain Hilts]

48. Wow! These are great. Take me with you next time! thanks for sharing them. nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

54. My dear Captain Hilts!

Wish I could take you...

I'm really happy that you enjoyed them!

Thank you!

:hi:

[BarenakedLady]

49. Awesome pics Peggy.

Thank you for sharing them. And welcome home.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

55. My dear BarenakedLady!

It's great to come home, to such a warm welcome...

I'm so glad you enjoyed these!

It's always my pleasure to share...

The world is full of beauty. All we have to do is......look.

Thank you for your kind remarks.

:hug:

[CreekDog]

58. *Looks* like a terrific trip!

very interesting photos.

nice to have you back, by the way. :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

59. My dear CreekDog!

It was a terrific trip!

Glad you found these interesting...

And you know I'm so happy to be home, sweetie...

Thank you!

:hi:

[Brigid]

60. Absolutely gorgeous pictures!

American cities just don't have the character that European cities have. I guess American cities are just not old enough yet.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

63. My dear Brigid!

Thank you! I'm glad you liked them...

We don't have the sense of history the way the Europeans do...as Henry Ford said, History is bunk.

:hi:

[UrbScotty]

62. My dear CaliforniaPeggy!

Europe is almost as beautiful as you are!

:-)

As always, I'm happy you posted them!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

64. My dear UrbScotty!

Aw, shucks!

Me?

Heh.

Thanks, sweetie...it means a lot...:hug:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

65. Very very cool!!!

Cool to the hundredth power.

I'm glad you had such a blast!!!!

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

71. My dear Manifestor_Of_Light!

I did have a great trip, thanks, sweetie!

Glad you found these cool!

:hi:

[hibbing]

66. you rock Peggy

Hi Peggy,
Fantastic photographs, I have been waiting since I found out about your trip for some. I'm trying to figure out what the guy with the shades on in the Bratislava picture has in his hand. I'm looking forward to more pictures, please let me me know if you post some elsewhere than the lounge.

As always, Peace

[CaliforniaPeggy]

72. My dear hibbing!

I hope these made the wait worthwhile!

The guy in shades is Andy Warhol...no idea what he has in his hand, alas...

I normally post just in the Lounge...

You can always check my Journal to see the latest pics. I always put these important threads there...

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

[denbot]

67. Freaking awesome pictures Miss C-P!!!

I've gotta see Europe someday!!! Thank you for the preview.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

73. My dear denbot!

Oh, thanks!

It was awesome, and you must get there somehow...so much history, art, architecture and etc! to see...

:hug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

68. Really nice.

Rats and snakes on Lucifer's back. cool.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

74. My dear Tuesday Afternoon!

Thanks, sweetie...

Yeah, I thought that was a cool statue/pic too! Even though it did give me the creeps at first...

:hi:

[Vidar]

69. Good pictures. Thanks. Studied in southern France almost 30 years ago.

Always hoped I'd make it back. Never happened.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

75. My dear Vidar!

Glad I had taken these for your memories...

I'll bet you'll get there sometime. Keep the faith, sweetie!

I'm so glad you enjoyed them, too...

:hug:

[NewJeffCT]

70. Thanks for the pics - were you on your own, or on a tour?

Great pics. Did you get around via rail? plane? Did you have any trouble communicating? We were in Italy & France 2 months ago and had no trouble communicating or getting around.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

76. My dear NewJeffCT...

Glad you enjoyed these!

We were on a tour. Since 2002, we've been traveling with Stanford University's Travel/Study group. They run very good tours with professors who tell us what we're seeing, and explain the history, ramifications for the present day and so on...

We like having someone else lug our stuff around!

The basic trip was on a river boat, which is wonderful. Nothing like watching the river slide by!

We had no trouble communicating either, but everyone we encountered spoke English...

I remember your trip, and loved your pictures too...

Thanks, sweetie!

:hug:

[NewJeffCT]

77. That sounds like a great tour

Do you have to be from California and/or a Stanford alum to go on the trip? I wonder if a college around here in CT has similar?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

78. It was great.

And no, you don't need to be from California, or have gone to Stanford either...

One girl on the trip was from Germany, or the Czech Republic, I don't remember! She had a ball too...

The only downside is the cost.

I know other colleges do trips too...No idea if they're as good as Stanford, though.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

79. Wonderful pictures

California Peggy. Your thread and the responses kind of jarred me into realizing what I take for granted living over here in Europe. I sometimes get so caught up in trying to navigate the culture/people that I forget the beauty around me. Maybe I'll take my camera out for a session soon. Thanks!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

80. My dear NotoriousP.I.G.!

I'm always pleased when my pics have this sort of effect. We live where we live, and of course we take it for granted.

It takes a lot of effort to see what the tourists see when they visit. Our lives just get in the way...

Do take your camera out, and let us see what you see, OK?

I'm glad you enjoyed my pics...Thank you so much!

:hug:

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

81. Maybe I'll start a monthly picture thread

"Life in Bavaria." Thanks for the inspiration and reminding me to take a step back and enjoy the history and beauty I live amongst. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

82. What a cool idea!

A monthly picture thread!

Definitely go for it!

I'm honored to have inspired you...

:hug:

[NYC_SKP]

83. Wow!

How ever did you drag yourself away?

I visited Geneve and Lugano long ago, I'd love to return.

I hope you're all refreshed, and welcome home! :thumbsup:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

84. My dear NYC_SKP!

Wow, thanks, sweetie!

Well, we came home when our tour ended!

Still getting over the damn jet lag...9 time zones ain't hay, you know...

It is really, really good to be home!

:hug:

[LanternWaste]

85. Simply gorgeous...

Simply gorgeous, Peggy. Simply gorgeous...

One day I certainly hope to go. But til then, pictures will do just fine :P

[CaliforniaPeggy]

87. My dear LanternWaste!

I'm so pleased that you like my pics!

And you know, traveling is hard work! I enjoy looking at these too...no huffing and puffing up and down stairs, walking all over creation!

Thank you so much...

I hope you get to go, too!

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

86. Great pics!

:hi: I'm pretty sure the second pic shows the Monk, not the Eiger, as seen from the Jungfraujoch peak.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

88. My dear Call Me Wesley!

Ah, sweetie!

Thank you for identifying my mystery peak!

There was a diagram on the site that showed the name of each one next to the illustration, but somehow I can never make sense of those!

It was a great time, and we had a ball!

I'm so pleased you like my pics!

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

90. Pretty famous mountain range:

Eiger, Monk and Virgin. ;) (Eiger, Mönch und Jungfrau.) I was up there when I was a kid, and the air was pretty thin ...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

94. We were told those names!

And found them hilarious...

Yup, and the air is still thin. We rode the cogwheel railway up. They stopped twice and encouraged us to get out and move around. It's supposed to help us get used to that thin air.

It worked. I didn't feel at all short of breath at the top.

Of course, the views are breathtaking, lol!

Thanks for your input!

:hug:

[S n o w b a l l]

91. Wow, beautiful!

Those are all awesome pics, Peg! Looks like you had a ball. Glad you're back home safe and sound.

Hope you're recovering from your jetlag!

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

95. My dear S n o w b a l l!

Thanks, sweetie! We did have a terrific time...

But coming home is sooooo sweet...

The jet lag is very slowly departing. It sucks!

:hug:

[Strong Atheist]

92. Welcome back!

:bounce:

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

96. My dear Strong Atheist!

Thanks, sweetie!

It is very good to be home once again...:hug:

[Deep13]

93. Awesome. I have GOT to go back to Austria.

I was an exchange student in 1993. I spent 3 weeks in court with the barristers in London. Then 3 weeks in Salzburg listening to Justice Kennedy. I took two day-trips to Germany. We rode in a bus across Austria, stopped at Melk, and then spent 10 days in Vienna and Budapest.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

97. My dear Deep13!

Oh, you must have had a great time!

A return trip (complete with picture documentation, of course) is a must!

There is so much beauty there...

Glad you enjoyed these!

Thank you...

:hug:

[applegrove]

98. Looks like you had a great time.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

99. That I did, my dear applegrove!

[Maccagirl]

100. I hope it was as wonderful as it looks.

Thanks for sharing-we love you Peggy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

101. My dear Maccagirl!

It was!

Thank you, sweetie...:hug:

[Solly Mack]

102. Great pictures!!!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

104. Thank you, my dear Solly Mack!

[tigereye]

103. thanks so much for sharing! lovely pictures.

Did you go on any of those river tours in Germany? That always looks like fun.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

105. My dear tigereye!

It was my pleasure to share, and I thank you!

We were on a river tour that was run by Stanford University's Travel/Study Group. They have excellent tours all over the world, and we always enjoy them. You don't need to have graduated from Stanford to go on them...

We love river touring! Unpack once, and that's it. Sit on the deck, and watch the river slide by...Ahhhhhhhhh...

:hi: