Extra Medium's photostream  

We were sad to leave Austria, the country that surprised us with all its beauty. Life there seemed so peaceful and easy. Like this man who was walking his dog down a dirt path at 10am. Don't these people work/? Such a simple life seems so impossible, at least until I retire at 82.

There's no way I would have done a Eurorail train trip through Europe. No way. The train takes you to established, touristy locations while zipping through scenes like this without being able to stop and enjoy it. Yes, it’s also a matter of control, but for me the best part of traveling is wandering around and seeing things not found on Tourist maps.

While staying in Innsbruck, Austria, I got up early one morning and just started to drive around the hills. Found this little mountain town with the giant Alps behind it. The people who live there probably think nothing of it, but from an outsider, it was amazing.

Now only if they had Starbucks drive-through coffee, life would have been perfect.

Das einzige, was ich liebe über Österreich ist die Gesamtheit aller Kirchen und Schlössern oben auf den Hügeln. Sie übersehen die Stadt und die Menschen schützen. Ich glaube, ich habe ein bisschen von meinem Herzen in den Alpen. Eines Tages werden wir zurück sein. Und wir werden jodeln, bis unsere Krüge zerbrechen!

Don't ever let me drink 3 liters of German beer and then wander around the streets of Munich. The chances are I will engage in fisticuffs with a hairy man wearing suspenders after insulting their assortment of techno music.

Again the purpose of our honeymoon (believe it or not) was NOT to be a photo safari through Europe for me. Now one advantage of marrying a photographer is that when planning the honeymoon, more than likely you’ll be brought to some very photogenic areas.

We had no idea that Austria was so beautiful. Just walking along the Inn River at night and seeing those buildings reflect on the moving water with the Alps in the background was just breathtaking. On the other side of us were people sitting at tables dining alfresco. Mostly college kids.

Felt so alive. All we wanted to do was dance in the middle of the town square illuminated by the lights of the city. But seriously, who does that? Not us. So we just walked around.

Austria wasn’t supposed to be a main destination on our honeymoon. Rather just a country we had to cross in order to get back into Germany. Honestly don’t know much about it. My Contiki tour in 2000 went through Tirol, Salzburg and Vienna but nothing really stuck out in my head.

As we descended into Innsbruck from the Italian Alps (Dolomites) we were amazed by what we saw. Amazing mountains, clean cities, fun nightlife. Innsbruck itself was one of the most beautiful cities we went to. This was the downtown (touristy) area, which was just such great fun to walk around in.

Yes, more HDR. I kind of miss it. Especially when I’m given clouds.
(tomorrows photo is the one I’ve been waiting to post)