From the whole trip, I was very much looking forward to Neuschwanstein a.k.a the Disney castle in Füssen ~ two hours by car from München. While we were still on the way, we could see it located on top + surrounded by the mountains, it was magical, making you can’t wait to be there. Parked, slowly walking up, we still have one mission: sell my parents ticket. Anja told I can try sell it on the ticket office, for sure there will be line, ha! didn’t think of it before, good idea.
Once we reached I found a three South Asian, they said my time is too late ~ 1,5 hours later, they want to go now. Well… don’t you do your research? It was recommended to arrive two hours before the ticket time as you still need to walk up there. Good Luck, didn’t see them on my time or anywhere close to the castle. Understand they want to buy three together instead of one from the counter and two from me but there is no need to hush me out as if I’m a disgusted person. Then we saw another 3 people, the guy looks like a German ~ Dom’s turn, only two of them will go to the castle, passt! my tickets were sold! We went up to the hill, took us about 35-40 minutes.
Arrived on the Foto Platform ~ the must have photo of Neuschwanstein! There was a line obviously yet it’s still manageable.
Satisfied, we countinued our way up. We need to be at the gate 15 minutes before the time at our ticket, were allowed to walk on the Hof, taking pictures with mountain background.
The clock strike at 12:55, we got inside, take audio tour. Photos are not allowed, such a dissappointment because you can’t be there as long as you want. The lady guide you “please continue” or “please listen” etc. On top of it, it was only 30 Minutes Audio Tour! Ok there was the bedroom, Arbeitszimmer, Hall, kitchen something or just waiting room another hall then the audio said “this is the final section” I mouthed WTF? 23,50€ entrance for only 30 minutes. Boah! so angry! Before exiting, there was a “movie area” explaining Neuschwanstein’s construction ~ about 15 Minutes. Right next to it we can go out see the view from balcony. That was it people! felt robbed!
QQ was there too, he said many people including him came to do Picknick as the area is huge, peaceful, good view etc. We could also took photo from Marienbrücke to get a view of Neuschwanstein side’s ~ hätte hätte Fahradkette, it’s closed! Perhaps only opened for summer. If we will go there again just for photo? I don’t think so.
The castle is really just more beautiful from outside.
There are many other castles in Germany which has better interior als Neuschwanstein.
Cherry on top, parking for 6 hours cost 12 Euro; one more Euro for each our until max 16 Euro, I do not want to pay any €. Let’s head to Austria, Axel recommended me a place called Highline179 it’s a Brücke too. What I didn’t realize is, he went on summer while we are now still in Winter. The sun goes down at 18:30, when we just arrived it was starting to get darker but still OK until when we reached the bridge, I can’t see nothing!
All of the sudden, my legs went weak!! On one hand I held Dom’s, on the other I’m holding that piece of metal with my whole life. Dom wanted to walk far away, I was the opposite, I’m quiet happy where I was. In the end we made few steps more from the middle. He wanted me to take picture of him with mountain background while my whole body as stiff as a board, couldn’t make any movement, he need to literally turn my body. The whole time we were walking I chanted “Axel du stirbst”
Boah! I’m so relief the moment we reach down to the parking lot, mind you there is no fence, no other people, nothing! if you fall down… auf niewiedersehen 🙁
What a day hey, let’s go home. We need to drive for another 2 hours and some minutes to Parking Station to return back our car. Thank you to the facility guy who reminded us no matter what our car dealer said, we must return the key to the safe box ~ not leave it inside the car. Thank you also to our AirBnB landlord Martin to not only pick us up at Hbf ~ there was Strike but also to let us buy food at McD.
All in all, Neuschwanstein is totally Overrated! Highline179 I think it’s a cool place, please just arrive during daylight 🙂
Although the solely purpose of this trip is to introduce Dom to my parents, we gotta keep going with the secondary purpose: us squeeze it into lemonade 😉
Itinerary changed, see you next time Königsee, we are heading to Therme Erding ~ reason: it’s still cold in March we were gonna dropped dead if we are going to an open nature area, warmer place we chose. Arrived, put our stuff in the locker, before we entered to the Thermal, we have to walked passed shower area. Dom said we need to take a quick duschi duschi first ~ I remembered that was the procedure in Iceland. So I did, went to the outside hall, didn’t see him. Walked back to the locker area, no clue of where’s he’s about. Mind you, I didn’t have my towel, was already shaking. Re-showered just to get some splash of hot water, re-visit the outside hall, nope. I screamed his name at least 8 times until we finally met. I said “we need to go directly inside the water because I’m freaking shivering right now” Once we dip ourselves, boah! Heaven!
The Thermal has some pressure bubble things to which it reminded me of my Thalasso Experience with my sister in Rimba Bali. However, this one isn’t traumatizing, very relaxing type, not the one that made you feel you just got beaten from 10 security guards.
After we felt warm enough, we went to Wasserrutschen area only to be back again where we came from as it’s only opens on 13:00. So we swam in Wellenbad with noodles until lunch time 🙂 It was still not 13:00 yet, luckily we found one “Coconut” thingy which doesn’t have a “Reserve” card. Yes! Jackpot!
Off to go for Galaxy Rutschenwelt! it was fun carrying the sliding tyre, we slided on VR, magic eye, black mamba, speed racer. I enjoyed everything until one slide called High Fly: do not, I repeat DO NOT slide on it! The instructions confused us “do not move your head” , “put your head forward” anyway it went super quick as the ride itself short yet steep, my head hit the slides, felt like I almost fainted or had a slight concussion. Our fun stopped immediately right there and then. I said to Dom it’s enough for me, I just want to lie down tried to sleep because I can’t continue doing anything, wanted to throw up. Luckily our Coconut is still free!
At 20:00 they provided a trial of a mask, we’ve done that too. I took two handfull of salt where the guy said “go to Sauna wait until you sweat then scrub your body with it, 10 minutes is enough”. Well… I didn’t sweat, don’t know how long should I wait. Scrubbed myself nevertheless then went out catching Dom ate his second Oreo Muffins. AHA, gimme one bite. We swam one more time inside, had dinner, real duschi duschi, finally call it the night.
We deserved some relaxing strolling in Munich city center especially after that wild slide in Therme Erding. Who did I call? the one and only QQ Dite! He introduced us to 80 Cents too big Gurke at Virtualienmarkt. On the way there, Dom found his Sipmate: The Alley! QQ showed us the menu from his Ramen’s restaurant, I directly comment “Yo, 25€ a portion? you gotta give us something, it’s very damn expensive, here I want Takoyaki” He replied “Safe” Got his confirmation, booked a table for two. Am I the worse customer? ehemmmm….
I said to Dom he need to have a picture at the Eisbach #Tourist, his happiness level vs to when he was at the Naruto Cafe QQ had recommended 😀
Thanks QQ for the recommendation, I believe Indonesian knows places the best! Including for Berlin, trust me, we know stuff #We are everywhere!
Went to another country ~ Bosnia i Herzegovina, second stamp on my passport 😉 Got picked up again at 06:20 AM, once the border crossed, we visited Kravica Waterfalls. Never crossed in my mind that Bosnian don’t use Euro, they accept it, our Guide Boh or Boah don’t know how to spell his name said, if in the store I can pay with Euro as the amount is written in both currency, Konvertible Mark and Euro but in Restaurant better pay with Card because there is only Konvertible Mark written on it. Usually 1 Euro = 2 KM yet if there is no Euro written, perhaps they will charge more. OK thank you for the info!
We spend about 50 minutes on the waterfalls, I managed to get magnets for mom’s collection + had waffels. Am I impressed with the waterfalls? No, it’s not bad however I saw or have better one back home 🙂
Then we passed by to a very small village called Pocitelj, it was such short stop, only 20 minutes. There is fortress on the top haha thank you, my legs are still sore from previous days. We just went for a loo in a restaurants, I think the guy thought I was one of their guess, thank you Sir, may your Restaurant has success!
See! The Fortress is up there, had we have enough time, I won’t even bother to walk further up haha
Then to our main stop: Mostar! I actually like this place than two previous ones. The bridge is the main attractions, need to get it right! On the downside, I found a difficulties in finding foods, I got used to Croatian sea food, especially Oyster. Here in Mostar mostly you will have meat.
Regardless how good the tour turns out ~ perfect guide, tour participants were all on time, the bus driver drove responsibly, the timing they gave in every stations were all make sense; like the Yang from YinYang ~ the black dot in white, even in light there’s a bit of darkness. The food wasn’t really my taste. Ah well…. You can’t have it all 😉
Every even days of the trip, we were out of Dubrovnik 🙂
To the other country: Montenegro with the tour offered by Get Your Guide, passed the border with a car, #Collecting stamps in Passport. We were being picked up at 06:20 AM, there was only 7 people in total. Instead of going with a bus, we got a mini van. I personally think it was cool, a private tour. Dominik is the only guy there haha the elephant in the room 🙂
We made a first stop to make a picture, this is us: a Korean lady + American Gang.
At the beginning, it was actually fine. Our driver ~ initial L informed us about his friend who sell Oyster in Montenegro + right after the border there was a restaurant with price cheaper than in Dubrovnik, he can dropped us there. Actually, we were excited to tried, in anyway we have to eat.
Reached first town called Perast. While we were still in Dortmund, I wasn’t planned to take any boat, wanted to just walked around. However L said there was only one street, it’s very small, the only attractions was taking the boat with extra cost. Hmmm…. I sensed a bit of a red flag. Being suspicious whereas my mind kept reminding me “what else can we do?” Therefore, paid the 15 Euro for boat trip to Church of Our Lady. The fee was only for transport, not to enter the church, it will be another 10 Euro.
He also explained we would go to more stops, we didn’t! only to this one. Wtf?! Either he doesn’t know what he’s saying or he “robbed us” from our real boat experience? After reading some signs, I came to understand the cost for 1,5 hours boat ride = 40 Euro. Okay, I took the first red flag as Misscomunication, made peace with that.
Second town called Kotor, there we have 3 hours. The only attractions were: Old Town + Fortress + Cable Car located 4 km away. Me and Dominik opted for the Fortress. Cecillia had some doubts, in the end she made it too. I told the girls I’m going up so they could make a forecast at what time we could be done.
Was on the verge of giving up when we reach the church, which only 1/3 of the Fortress until Daly texted “I’m also at the Fortress” Ah cool!!! she gave us some fuel to actually catch up with them. Hike after hike, where are the girls? there is only one way, I couldn’t miss them. Still not seeing them, even at the top… Hä???
One the way down we met Cecillia, she also hasn’t seen the American Gang. Continued our journey to the Old Town. Daly texted she is ready to leave, replied I need 30 minutes. In total we have been 3 hours 15 minutes ish in Kotor. The issue is, Cecilia is still up there. I catched Maly’s pants from far away, her words: “I looks like a traffic cone” 😉 very easy to spot on. Curious, I asked where they were on the Fortress. Guess what? They were mistaken, they were never in the Fortress, perhaps they only have the Fortress as a background from any restaurants or so hahaha no wonder I didn’t see them.
One hour goes by without a trace of Cecilia, as if she went on radio silence. A Croatian number called me, no “hello” directly “where are you” obviously it will be L ~ who else. To my surprise he was starting to shout “I have been waiting for you for one hour, I don’t care where Cecilia is” I was perplexed, what the hell is going on? Is he gonna leave us here in Montenegro? Being scared, I ran to the girls, let Maly do the talking while I tried to see where Cecilia at. Dominik sent her our location but she was confused and confusing beyond reason. Maly was so distress as L screaming at her too, Daly & gang tried to buy some time by going to the parking lot to find him.
In the end Dominik called Cecilia by video call, we saw the background, she was so close, Maly screamed on top of her lungs, I ran towards her, we don’t want L to leave her or worse all of us. The journey back to Dubrovnik was such a Katastrophe, no one dare to talks. I texted Daly if we should ask for the oyster, no we don’t need too.
Maly tried to defuse the bomb by saying “do you need our Passport, L” he only gave a receiving hand gesture. After some minutes, he told us he need to use the loo. There we talked, My Gosh what is happening? This is so crazy, I’m not in the mood to go to his friend’s restaurant. I meant, he ruined our day! My Asian genes won’t gonna let him get the comission from his friends’ place! Thanks God we all agreed to go directly back to Dubrovnik. When L back to the car, I deliberately said “oh girls, I’m so sleepy”. He replied “you can be sleep now until we reach the restaurant” I gave eye contact to Daly, wasn’t dare to talk until our saviour Maly commented “do we have to? I kind of tired, let’s just go back to Dubrovnik” Thank you girl! We owe you big time 🙂 #Women Power.
You have no idea how relief I was when we reach the Old Town of Dubrovnik. What I can take from this experience was he didn’t voice out properly, at the end I was completely uncomfortable. It could be since we were a small group, we could clear it among ourselves. No we can’t! we were all tourist for f#$k sake! I assume he was lazy, took advantage of small groups and want to go back home faster.
Regardless how bad the tour turns out; like the Yin from YinYang ~ the white dot in black, there’s always a little light in the dark. I got additional friends! It’s such a pity that the atmosphere was so down, I would love to spend the evening with the girls in a chill dinner but it wasn’t possible. Maly you are a very brave girl for standing up for all of us! I’m glad we have you on the group! I’m also grateful we all survive L’s driving haha Daly was afraid of her life during the ride 😉
Well girls, Daly + Maly and gang also Cecilia, we shall make up the relax time that L stole from us, if you ever thought to visit Germany or Indonesia, you have a home 🙂 #Just do it!
See you in another time, another place. Until then, take care!
My former Boss in Shanghai visited Germany for a business trip, obviously he planned to come to Nordwest, he is a very nice guy ~ always positive vibe, try to understand from other point of view und und und. I’m looking forward to meet him again, after all those years.
Unfortunately his trip needed to cut short because his backpack was stolen on the train. What’s in there? all of his most important stuff: Passports, iPad, MacBook, Wallet with all bank + ID cards. The thief managed to use his card to eat at McD for 18 Euros.
My heart sank the moment he texted me, I said to him: You know what I will pray so whoever did it, he / she will loose much worse than what they stole it from you. He was already laughing about it but I’m not. I am so full of revenge. That revenge lasted for a full week then I sensed something wrong…. let’s shift the prayer focus to Alvin! Hoping he will get much more than he lost 🙂
Don’t worry Alvin, Karma does exist!
You are a good person, you are having a good Karma, good deeds will come to you!!!
Our boss always inviting his team for a BBQ at his house once a year in September. That’s when one of our colleague ~ Christina initiated a Party Weekend in Willingen. It’s all sounds very interesting, never been there nor knew about it.
October came with realistic date that our Party Weekend will be in March 2025, November was the time where we all booked our hotel. I kept thinking to myself, Willingen is less than 2 hours away yet we booked the hotel as if it’s an Ausland Trip haha. To my surprise, the hotel where most Nordwestler stays are already full. How come?
Last weekend in March it was, 28-31.03. Being picked up at 14:45 ish arrived at around 16:30. We five: CB, Robinhood, Haribow, Monicita and I stayed at B&B Hotels. Went to Rewe, CB was very smart he said, let’s take the car eventhough it was only 200 meters as none of us want to schleppt it. Afterwards we walked to our Restaurant for dinner, following a romantic way of a young “couple” whom we saw at Rewe #Stalker!
Their appetizer was rather a what the hell experience, food wasn’t I expected but acceptable. First club of the day is called Vis A Vis. Entrance 5 Euro only cash, both place and dance floor is small. Me and CB need to change our position to avoid me being knocked out in the head from some people who were dancing as if they were in the Halle. Me and Monicita went back at around 23:00, it was more than enough for me, CB couldn’t let us walk by ourselves so he accompanied us. Milena said “you can book a Taxi” no way man, we are ~ well I am #OnBudget 😉
After breakfast we were chilling until it was time to meet up at 12 AM in front of the Sailbahn. Didn’t get place in Siggi’s Hütte therefore we stayed outside all the time, from 12-16:00. Thank’s God they closed at 16:00 or else they will still there. Cost up of Sailbahn is 9,50 Euro #You can really walk honestly.
While all other people drinking, me and Tanja were playing on the Spielplatz, visiting the “observation deck”, ate Bratwurst 4,50 Euro. People, bring cash! Without her, I couldn’t even buy anything. Later Monicita also wants to go to the Spielplatz, our final act were doing frog observation. At last walked down, took opportunity to play with some snows left, chill a bit at hotel while watching Gefragt Gejagt.
Moving on to Pörtner room, have Sekt, had dinner with Monicita alone. Evening arrives, proceed to second club: Brauhaus, entrance 6 Euro plus locker 2 Euro. I like this club way more than Vis A Vis, we have enough place to breath. Wanted to go back but after everything has been paid to enter this club, I said to Monicita “Wir haben es schon bezahlt, muss ja durch!” this became our Mantra 😀
Last day, only frühstücken before ab nach Hause #Hourray!
How does it feels like? As a non-drinker, it’s too much, we do nothing other than drinking. Probably better if we have some sightseeings activities. In my view, you can always drink everywhere, no need to specifically dedicated weekend in Willingen. Overall experience? only Good to Erleben aber nix für mich.
It was indeed a good time with my colleagues, gar keine Frage, it’s not a cheap holiday yet to spent time with them, thinking it would be my first & last, from the bottom of my heart: totally worth it.
My mom has a wide broad collections of fridge magnet for every places she or anyone in the family visited, it’s an absolute souvenir. I do not want to start with the same item / keychain or whatnot because once I did, I need to keep it durch #Couldn’t resist. What kind of Mitbringsel I opted for? mal earrings mal books.
In our family the one who always loves reading is Sissy, almost all books at our house belongs to her, I on the other hand only read Comics Doraemon or Detective Conan, even that’s very little. However, around 14 years ago, can’t simply remember where I bought it, perhaps Singapore ~ got myself two very interesting books consist of short “story” / “activity” although I’d never wrote it down on the book #Don’t want to mess it up haha anyone got the same point of view?
Anyway, out of nowhere I want to sort out my life by getting reading as my new hobby. I knew right away I wanted to start with those two books collections. Number 5: Where will you be five years from today? & Number 7: How many days in a week can be extraordinary? Organically I thought there will be 1-7. Then I realized on the bottom corner there is the website live-inspired.com
What?!?! it has been there all along yet I literally acknowledged it more than a decade later?! pffff if that takes me that long, don’t bother to think where will I be five years from today mwahaha #Hope not, jokes aside 😉
Unfortunately the customs + delivery cost to ship from USA to Germany is more expensive than the books itself. Amazon it is, a used version. Ordered Number 1: How many people does it take to make a diffference? & Number 2: How will you create something beautiful together?
Number 2 arrived, well it’s a book for appreaciating your partner #Don’t have any, can’t say much about it.
By chance, this book shattered me #Tragic. I thought my collection completed, nope! there is a number 10: What’s on your top 10 list?
Dude come on! Cant complete my stash now hey?
Back to their website, didn’t sell it anymore, feasibly they stopped printing it. The used edition from Amazon year 2013 cost 24 Euro! Aiyoyoooo monopolize at its finest. Nevertheless, I should buy it, otherwise FOMO will kick in!
Someday you’ll see my all-inclusive compendiums #Just not happening now bro 🙂
***Triggers Warning: Disturbing Content, Includes Violence, not for fainted heart***
My legs has already given up at this point, on the other hand I’m running out of dates to do this dark mystery tour therefore I kept going! #Ain’t like tomorrow.
My tour guide was Angela, she was funny, she said we only enroll to this dark mystery due to we enjoyed family drama haha she was so right! She reminds us that the tour we are about to embark based on real story, what was really happening at that time & how they handle it, not about ghost.
First we were at Palazzo Grifoni named after a noble family Grifoni who married for love. Regrettably this blissful marriage only last for 3 days because he was sent to war. Every day his young wife waits for him to come back, she looks for any sign of him from her bedroom window. Hence the window is always open, day and night, winter or summer, all the time.
Unfortunately, he never came back, he died at war. She too, died in old age. After her death, their relatives moves in, they closed the window. This is when strange things starts happening ~ weather always bad, furniture moving by itself usw. It is believed the spirit of his wife is still there, still waiting for him to return, they decided to re-open the window and the strange things stops.
The windows remains open the same way including when it’s under constructions, no one close the window ever again. Now the palace is not functioning as a palace rather a private house by Budini family. Can you spot the open window?
Moving on to the Duomo area, precisely in the corner between the Bell Tower and Santa Reparata. Angela said underneath is used to be a cemetery for noble people #Didn’t surprise me at all.
Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet while Florence has a real life version named Ginevra degli Almieri and Antonio Rondinelli. Ginevra was a very beautiful girl in the final year of 1300. She was only 16 years old when she fell in love with Antonio. However, Antonio’s family is the enemy of Ginevra’s, without a doubt her father didn’t bless their relationship, her father arranged her to be wed one month later to Francesco Agolanti. Her father said “you will not get the permission, forget Antonio forever or we can kill him.” Thus, she obeyed.
After the marriage, she was always sad, became very sick, didn’t want to eat, cry, fell into deep depression. Four years later, she was found fainted to the ground in a very bad condition with blood etc. The doctor convinced she has caught plague, she needs to be burry immediately to prevent contagious. Her body was covered from head to toe so the people of Florence won’t see it, closed in marble coffin.
The midnight after her burial, it started a storm. What they didn’t realized is….they buried her alive! Sad to relate, at that time it was “common” that people were mistakenly dead. How do they know it? Once they want to moved the cemetery, the skeleton was found not in a normal position of how people died, some died while trying to get out from it. In this case, Ginevra managed to get out of the coffin, she broke her nails, in a dirty condition with Erde & blood.
She went back to her house where Francesco lived, he and her family were in grief.. Once he opened the door, seeing Ginevra, he thought it was a ghost of her. He told her to get away, “I’ve been praying for you, you are the ghost of my wife, please leave me alone, go back to your tomb” Her own husband rejected her, she went to her parents home only to get the same answer. Heartbroken, confused, where to go? she remembered way to Antonio’s home. He recognizes her, removed her veil, welcome her to his place. Being loved by Antonio, Ginevra’s health got better then finally the two decided to get married.
Of course news arrives to Francesco and parents of Ginevra. He seeks for revenge, went to the Bishop to send executors for Antonio. Thanks God the Bishop disagreed. He said “Ginevra comes to you but you rejected her thinking it was her ghost. Since then she is a free woman” Francesco is looking for a new woman, except no mother is willing to give their daughter to him knowing the treatment he has done to Ginevra when she came back alive. Therefore, no descendants coming from Francesco.
What is happening with Ginevra and Antonio? Is it happy ending? I wish. Something happened to Ginevra, as she tries to break out from the tomb, she saw corpses in a very bad conditions namely without head etc. She became to see it everywhere she goes, on the market, at home. In today’s language she is having a mental diseases caused her to lose her mind, she’s like a baby again, impossible to cure. Antonio couldn’t take it, he died perhaps due to big suffering in his heart. Both buried outside Florence, the cemetery for normal people.
The first time she was mistakenly buried was 1. May, it is being said every first day of each month there is her spirits walking until the end of the street then disappear. The name of the street was via la donna della morte. However in year 1800 the government change the street name to Bell Tower Street for Touristic purpose.
Next we stopped at Piazza della Signoria / Palazzo Vecchio where The Neptune fountain is located at. The statue with man on the horse is one of the Medicci family member. Back then, instead of fountain, this area was filled with torture machines to remove nails, organs, including genitals from both male and female.
If a woman (only woman) survives after the torture, she would considered as a witch, consequently, she will be burn alive. They could suspect anyone to be a witch for example if you have red hair, have job without husband, independent woman, yep you might be one of them.
There were 3 ways to kill someone: First, hiring executor who wears a black mask so people won’t recognize him, he always carries an axe which could never finish the job in one cut. Second, ties both hands and legs to 4 different horses who runs in different direction. Lastly, hang for 3 days from the first floor of the palace.
One day, all of these horrible things stopped, one day to the other. Why? Because the last two male of Medicis are homosexual, they didn’t have kids therefore no successor. The last female heir Anna Maria Luisa obliged to married old king from him she got syphilis’s that caused her not be able to born a child. Medici family has a pact with Austrian family, Duke of Lorraine. First thing he did once he was in Florence is cancelled the torture on the square. Not an Italian family solved this problem, obviously the Austrians do the wrong things too. Even so, do not forget they civilized the city of Florence.
After that we went to a normal street corner that has a very dark facts, even darker to know it was happening not so long ago, on 27.05.1993. It was all starts when two judges from Palermo fights with a Mafia who has been hiding from police, living in bunker for 30 years. When the big Mafia boss got caught, they bombed the judges. The group decided to put bombed in Milan, Roma, Uffizi quarter. About 200 kg of TNT was placed at this corner, one student (Dario Capolicchio) was crossing this street being burn alive + young family (Fabrizio Nencioni, Angela Fiume, 9 years old Nadia and 50 days old Caterina) found already carbonized. You can see the bricks are different because it was the hole from the bombed where they lived.
Whenever you see two people kissing each other, stretched their arms into an olive tree meaning mafia attack in those place. On the wall it was written poem from Nadia two days before the attack as if she got a feeling something bad gonna happens.
Still around that corner, hanged a sculpture made by Barney. The blade symbolize Mafia, 5 figures represents the victim. Those 5 victims are walking in blade but never falling down. It is a message of hope and love, to let people know they will forever remains in our lives.
Gladly the tour is coming to an end, I was sick to my stomach already. As if all of those facts weren’t enough. Angela closed our evening walk by telling us notorious serial killer started in Chianti Area in 1968. Two couples around the age of 18 decided to made love in the car, they chose the wrong night, wrong place, they were followed. Somebody has a long iron stick, broke the window and shot them. The killer took the genitals of the guy, cut the breast of the lady only to attach it to her genitals then leave it on the ground. The day after, police was called, they were terrified, it was the first time something like this happened in Florence. This was happening for 14 years… the serial killer repeated it to 8 couples a French + German couple tourist became victim too. The youngest female victim was 16 years old, the oldest was 30 years old. The killer decided to cut her breast while she’s still alive to sent it to the police. How sick of a mind can someone actually do that?
In 1945 police caught a farmer who has bad record such as raped his own daughters, after some years he was declared innocent due to alibi he has. He died hanged, it was still not clear if someone kills him or he commits suicide. Strangely, when he was in prison the killing stops in Chianti… only to happened in other city. Until today the killer is still a free man, no one knows, no one being caught. The big questions is if the killer move to other place of Italy?
There are 3 main hypothesis: first, it was a surgeon because the cut was so precise. Second perhaps it was somebody works for police as the gun was the same gun from police office which could be stolen. Third it could be a practice of satanism or illegal human trafficking organ. Angela said there is a movie made from it called The most Florence in Mostrow and Zodiac. Watch it if you want to not be able to sleep for some days. It is very disturbing hey.
This dark mysteries tour is really something different, it goes beyond family drama, regardless this is facts that was happening in this city. We can’t / shouldn’t / mustn’t erase nor forget it, all we can do is hope the killer will die slowly in hell and raise our awareness of danger / predator possibility.
Be safe everyone! If something feels off, it’s off. Hope we will never ever encounter something evil like that.
When I told Julius about my Florence holiday, he directly said I must visit Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo’s Museum. That Sunday before my trip I really sit down, arranged, booked everything.
FYI, Florence is small + Tracy lives in kind of city center, everything is walking distance within 25-35 minutes, besides the Bus App are really not user friendly, I gave up trying to understand it. First trip is from her home to Accademia Gallery where Michelangelo’s David statue placed, bought the first entry time slot between 08:15-08:30. I went out before sunrise, walked pass an expensive Salvatore Ferragamo boutique shop, Burberry with funny jacket on its mannequin, some Piazza until I reach the line queuing for my David’s.
Tracy said I wouldn’t spend more than an hour at David’s, the first floor are not very interesting because it has wayyyy too many Christianity paintings then David then room of Statues, last second floor. Just like she described, first floor is full of painting about Jesus, Maria and the Saints. Also on the second floor, I had to agree with her, at some point, you just have enough.
Wait until you arrive to the magnificent David, the one you have been waiting for, he looks very shiny from afar. The details, his eloquent pose, the size, it was really a WOW. He is the superstar in the whole Museum. Of course I asked people to take several pictures of me and David, from different angle, none of them are pleasing my eyes. Oh well, gotta live with it. These are the best I got 🙂
I started to go around him for complete look, Michelangelo is a genius! was in total AWE, how come someone sculpt someone he never sees… very handsomely? Look at his vein, abs, stature! #Melting. If only he’s a real person! #Drooling <3
I knew what room of sculpture she’s talking about, I was there. One of them reminds me of Mr. Whistler’s Mother from Mr. Bean movie haha I’m so sorry sculptor, didn’t mean to offend you.
Guess how many hours I spent there? Perhaps three! haha not because I was looking at all paintings but rather it was raining outside, at the end I was just skimming and sit for some hour before I continue my trip haha.
Walked pass Spedale degli Innocenti / Hospital of Innocents where I found this meaningful pink ribbon on the middle of the Piazza with QR code. Go visit nudmfirenze.noblogs.org it is a symbolic for women who have no more voice as they were assasinated.
We planned to have lunch together however Tracy was really swamped at work so I choose a random Pasta + Hugo place around the Duomo ~ heart of Florence. Tracy mentioned “you know we are not located near water right? so you might not get or have a good seafood pasta, order rather a meat one” Nope, you can’t stop me, Pasta with seafood it is hahaha, it’s still verrryyyy delicious!
Ready for my next analytic project: Uffizi Gallery. This is huge! as in H.U.G.E! It has many collections from Leonardo DaVinci, Raffaelo Michelangelo, Caravaggio. What amazed me the most are the ceilings! They are all decorated very beautifully.
I did recognize some of the names though, for example Julius Ceasar, Titus, Painting of Wedding in Cana, Adam and Eves, John the Baptist, Salomon. There is a red room where you can’t enter, you can only see from the sides.
I was very overwhelmed hence I decided to sit down every now and then. Tracy informed in the middle of it there is a Cafeteria, I can’t missed it. After almost 3 hours I reached it, let’s have a rest first, so much deserved 🙂 There I got the chance to know Juli from Brazil who located in Zürich, aha! since then we visited the rest half of the Gallery together 😉
She knows some art, she was very happy to see Carravagio Medusa! Look at the painting of the wine, you can see the bubbles, very real. I have to snapped a picture of the important family in Florence, the Medici!
Once we finished, we decided to have Florence “Döner” hahaha right after that we separated, I went to my Dark Mysteries of Walking Tour #First timers, very curious!
to be continued… my day hasn’t finished yet 😉
Facts: It was actually confusing to buy ticket for David and Uffizi from the official site, it always leads to B-Ticket website with 4 Euro fee. If you want to wait in line to see if the ticket office still have tickets for that day it will only cost 16 Euro, on the internet is 20. Same for Uffizi, I paid 26 + 4 while some people might get it for 19 Euro on special day or special time or so. The walking tour guide Gabriella told me, of course I didn’t pay attention about the how, since I received this info late, been there anyway. To my personal view, David is a must visit while Uffizi hmmm unless you really understand Renaissance, interested in paintings, prepared to walked for over 4 hours then you can go too, if not, feel free to skip it 😉
My hair is a like a double edge swords, blessing and a curse, too thick, too straight plus too many. Sure Sissy would agrees…
Last week, Andrea sleptover in my place, she brought her Dyson! People! it’s DYSON! The Dyson Curling Dingsbums #Starstruck! I gotta put my hands on it yo, must use this super expensive curly hair style thingy.
My first encounter with THE Dyson was in Shanghai when I borrowed Dennis’ small / sofa vacuum cleaner. He was a bit worried because I took the Metro. He said “hmmm be careful” “of course I won’t let anyone touch this…. what… 500 RMB…” before I finish my sentence he cut it with “3000” reflects I responded “Oh! I will guard it all the time, don’t you worry about it, will return it in one piece”
Second encounter when I visited Helene in Belgium for our Harry Potter Ausstellung, she has a hair dryer! Originally didn’t have any intention to wash my hair but since it’s Dyson! Gotta do it!
Third encounter was just now when Andrea bei mir übernachtet. I’m almost reach my Schnapszahl yet only had 3 chances with the holly top tier Dyson! Not gonna waste any opportunites!
Andrea curled her whole hair in 30 seconds, when I did mine, she realized…. hmmm, I think your hair is too heavy, need to take bit by bit. Tried again, it does work! However… took me about 25 minutes haha
It still not complete btw, I somehow don’t have the ability to curl my right side pffff. Reached the points where all the curls are pleasant enough for the eyes then head to NW Sommerfest only for it to not last haha #Hopeless.
Yeah…. curling my hair with a curly iron stick stuff even the most expensive brand….. it’s not happening bro!
