I fondly recall one of our driving trips through Europe. Looped parts of Switzerland, Italy, Austria and then back to Germany.
Annie, who was young, would send daily messages to her Nana (my Mom) informing her of our activities and where we would be staying.
One of my ideas, on this particular journey, was to stop and see Otzi, in Bolzano, Italy. We talked about it as we headed toward the Italian-Austrian border. No, Otzi was not an old friend of ours. Although he was quite old. Otzi is the well-preserved mummy of a fellow who died about 3000 years B.C. That’s a very looooong time.
Ice is good for so many things. Bumps, bruises, margaritas and the preservation of bodies!
I was fascinated. I had read that the scientists could tell us the contents of his last meal. What his diet generally consisted of and what his overall health was like when he was alive. They even knew how he died!
But there were also two other people in the car. My male partner was just itching to show Annie a castle. What is it with power tools and huge fortresses?
Castle or Otzi?
The castle won. I didn’t get to see my mummy. We continued over the Austrian border and into Germany.
I was just as fascinated by the isolated Mad King Ludwig who lived in the Neuschwanstein Castle. He was found dead, at forty-one, in the nearby lake with his Doctor in waist deep water. Weird. His brother Otto had also been declared insane. Let’s just keep those genes in the family. Thank you very much!
We toured the castle upon the hill. But we missed the last bus heading down toward the little town. So, we started hoofing it. Of course, it started pouring. Then it became quite dark in the woods. Not a sound and not a person around anywhere. Totally creepy!
I said, aloud and maybe even a bit smugly, “Well, at least, if anything happens to us in these woods, Nana knows just where we are. Thank God for that!”
Annie stops, looks up and says, “Ummmm, Nana thinks we are in Bolzano, Italy visiting Otzi.”
So my Mummy thought we were with the mummy while we were actually in the midst of madness.
Anyway, it really was a wonderful adventure filled with a lot of laughs. I do recommend visiting the castle and the surrounding areas. It is a beautiful part of the world.
Do some reading on poor King Ludwig and Otzi. Both very interesting subjects.
And here’s my last bit of advice. Always let someone know where you are! But make sure it’s the right place!
Have a lovely weekend!!
Just Being Mary 