#waggsthedachshund

[waggsthedachshund]

Today is my birthday! Now the spooky festivities can really begin! Happy Spooktober!

[blacky-hot-sauce-enthusiast]

My birthday was yesterday (June 2nd). I spent the day in Munich, Germany, with my brother @waggsthedachshund. Here we are at the Nymphenburg Palace, the summer home for royalty way back in the day.

The palace is MASSIVE. Almost a 360° view of just PALACE. Lots of ducks, geese, and a huge garden in the back.

[waggsthedachshund]

It's a little late, but who doesn't love pride? Admittedly, the pride I went to was held in September, so I'm not too far off!

This blog is 100% a safe space!

[waggsthedachshund]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

[waggsthedachshund]

At the end of my journey, I found myself in Oftringen, Switzerland. I walked up to the Aarburg Castle. Although it was added on to many times over the years, it was originally built in 1200, by the Lords of Büron. Today, it is used as a youth home and a church.

The sight from the top is incredible!

When I flew back home, I had a connection in Toronto, Canada. Although I didn't get to leave the airport, it was neat to stop in Canada, where Webkinz is based. I'd love to plan a trip to Canada, especially because I have familial roots there!

I also forgot to take a selfie for this post - sorry!

All in all, I know I am greatly privileged to have had this opportunity, and I wish more people had access to these kinds of adventures. It was really neat to see more of Europe! Thanks for reading along!

[waggsthedachshund]

I enjoyed a sandwich on this lovely day. It's cooled off a bit - makes for perfect picnicking!

Sometimes just being outside can reduce anxiety. Fresh air really helps!

[waggsthedachshund]

I woke up bright and early to head over to München, or as we know it, Munich!

Today, I explored the Olympiapark, where the 1972 summer Olympics were held.

For background context: the '72 Olympics are known for the devastating massacre in which a Palestinian terrorist group took the lives of 17 people (12 victims, 5 perpetrators).

Then I went to BMW Welt, a museum that showcases many different kinds of BMW vehicles.

Lastly, I hiked Olympiaberg in Olympiapark. It is a Schuttberg, or a "rubbish heap." It is a man-made hill that was created from the debris resulting from the bombing on Munich that destroyed 50% of the city following World War II.

[waggsthedachshund]

I went to the beach! It's been a long time since I've seen the ocean. It was really nice to feel the wind on my face and the sand under my paws!

[waggsthedachshund]

I went to the park today! I had a lot of fun climbing on the playground and being in nature!

W for Waggs!

My brother, @blacky-hot-sauce-enthusiast, tagged along!

[waggsthedachshund]

Hi! I went to my local high school's craft festival last weekend. I got to smell all sorts of wonderful candles! There were so many cool, hand-made things there!

[waggsthedachshund]

Today was a travel-heavy day - most of my time was spent on the road. I rode through three countries: Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

I stopped at Innsbruck, Austria, where I could see the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), an imposing building that the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I (of the Habsburg House) commissioned to mark his wedding to Bianca Maria Sforza.

Liechtenstein is a tiny country nestled between Austria and Switzerland. For context,, it is sixteen times smaller than the smallest US state! I didn't stop here very long, but I can say the countryside is gorgeous!

As the sun was setting, I found myself in Olten, Switzerland. I grabbed myself a gelato and walked the old town streets.

[waggsthedachshund]

Today I woke up and hit the road again!

I first stopped in the alpine village of Oberammergau. This town is known for the play, The Passion Play, all of its citizens participate in every decade. The tradition started in 1634, when the town got together to reenact Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection in order to combat the bubonic plague.

I then traveled to Linderhof Palace, which was also high up in the Alps! This romantic and rural palace was a get-away home for Bavarian king Ludwig II. He designed the palace after Versailles in France. The French king, Louis XIV, was a hero of sorts to Ludwig; Louis XIV is likened to a god (in artwork) many times on the interior of the palace. Sadly, no photographs of the indoor rooms were allowed, but I highly recommend researching the palace. It is extremely ornate!

At the end of the day, I checked in at a remote hotel in the Austrian Alps. I really love the scenic nature!

[waggsthedachshund]

WARNINGS: This post contains a bare-chested statue and mentions a concentration camp.

I went to back to Munich today! On the way to Old Town, I stopped at Nymphenburg Palace, the summer residence of Maximilian II Emanuel, the elector of Bavaria. Today, the grounds serve as a park (and a tourist destination). The palace is truly massive!

I then traveled further into Munich and visited the Munich Residenz, the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach family (Maximilian II Emanuel was part of the royal Bavarian family).

Most of this palace was destroyed and rebuilt following World War II. Of one of the 135 rooms I saw, I believe the Grotto, a patio-like room with walls of shells, was one of the most unique. Also pictured is a hall of busts where royalty would dine, a sitting room, a hall, a bedroom, and a courtyard.

I wanted to mention that I saw Dacau (a concentration camp), but I did not get any photographs because it is disrespectful to photograph such a significant memorial site.

Dacau was one of the most intense places I've ever been. It is set up like a museum, with information and videos displayed everywhere. There are also some profoundly dark pieces of artwork displayed.

There were many German school kids at the memorial because it is a required trip for all German students.

There are some places of remembrance that were built at the site: a Jewish memorial, a Catholic chapel, a Protestant church, a monastery, and a Russian Orthodox church.

It's horrible that humankind can be so vile and evil, but we must learn from the past and work hard so that we may never repeat the absolute heinousness of previous generations.

[waggsthedachshund]

It's been a while, but I'm finally traveling again! This summer, I'm seeing Germany, which is super exciting because it's where the dachshund's breed originates!

After flying for 10-12 hours, we hit the ground running! The first site we visited was the medieval town of Rothenburg! Its oldest buildings date back to the 1200s, although most of it was built during the 1400s. It was a very large settlement for the time, housing about 6,000 people (it was the 2nd most populated city in Germany).

The town features many towers that were used for defense. The buildings are mostly made of stone because fire was a very real and devastating threat.

There were a whole lot of toy stores, and I met a pal on a bench!

[waggsthedachshund]

Stay safe, and wear your mask!

[waggsthedachshund]

Waggs's Camping Trip

I went camping for the first time this summer! I went to a privately owned area in East Tennessee. The owners try to preserve the species of trees in the region by destroying invasive bugs.

Most of my images are of me in nature! There were two very old cemeteries, but I didn't want to photograph them. What was crazy about the grave sites was that they were so incredibly remote. The people that lived in the mountains of East Tennessee 100-200 years ago were extremely isolated, and they had very little connections to society. Sadly, the grave stones indicated that most people died very young.

There was a crumpled bridge made of stone that used to be a county road, and some spots showed evidence of moonshiners (those who created moonshine, an illegal alcohol, especially during prohibition). I was very enchanted by the nature to say the least. There were some real neat rock formations, carved by water. The flora was cool too!

The two mile entrance to the camping spot was so incredibly intense. I drove my two-wheel drive truck through the woods. It was so narrow and I must've hit a good fifty branches. It took maybe fifteen minutes to drive the entire way. My handler's mom was so scared (even more so when I drove it at night). Lots of twists and turns and hills. Forget it if someone is driving the opposite way (luckily I never experienced that). It was fun nonetheless!