Highlights of the Trip So Far

We have now been on this trip for seven days and I cannot believe how much we have seen. The experience has been even more fun and interesting than I expected. We have gone to several towns in Germany, Austria, and Italy and I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one for its unique history and cultural attributes. Munich, the first city we visited is a large metropolis, but our tour guide made the town really accessible and brought the rich history of the area to life. The experience of being in the room where the Munich Accord took place was absolutely chilling. I have seen that fireplace and room layout in history textbooks over the years, and it is amazing to see firsthand where such important historical events occurred. The Munich Accord emulates the failed foreign policy of appeasement, as this was when the Allied powers ceded Czechoslovakia and the Sudetenland to Hitler in the late 1930s, starting a domino effect of European nations falling under Nazi occupation. Hiking through the Brenner pass from Austria into Italy was also a really neat experience, as it put me in the shoes of the Nazi officials who escaped justice at the outset of war. The hike was strenuous, and I cannot imagine making the trek with the fear of being arrested or shot. However, despite the grueling hike, the view from the top of the mountain made every step worth it. From the top, we could see the road marking the border of Austria and Italy and the church where the Nazi officials could have found sanctuary from arrest during their escape. Also, the view of the Alps and European countryside was breathtaking; this is truly a gorgeous part of the world. Italy has also been a neat experience so far. I really enjoyed the town of Bolzano for its unique blend of German and Italian culture and architecture. Also, the Medieval castle we saw was an amazing learning experience. In the entrance to the castle, we saw Renaissance frescos of the four virtues and portraits of classical philosophers dating back to the fifteenth century. A large portion of the art in the castle is original and not restored according to our tour guide, which made it even more exciting to see. We have seen so much that I can't document it all here. I am having a blast!