The Most Beautiful Place on Earth

Monday, August 9th

I write this sitting in what is possibly the most beautiful place on Earth...at least in my humble opinion. I'm sitting on the balcony of our room at the Hotel Bavaria...thus far, my favorite accommodation. Yes, I know I raved about A View of Rome...and it is a great B & B...but Hotel Bavaria has it beat.

Our trip from Rome to Berchtesgaden was anything but comfortable. The overnight train was soooo loud and hot that we barely slept...except for Matt, who woke up at one point yelling, 'I'm surrounded, I can't get out!'

In addition to no sleep, we had to change trains at 5:51 in the morning. So, we three weary travellers arrived in Berchtesgaden haggard, exhausted, and grouchy. We arrived at the Hotel Bavaria around 9:00 am, hoping against hope that our room was available...it was not...but they let us change clothes & freshen up, gave Mike some coffee (woo hoo), and let us leave our bags while we went sightseeing until the room was ready. Our lovely hostess even gave us bus passes...she easily saved us over 20 euros! When we checked in later, it was worth the wait...just look at this room.

The one reason we came to Berchtesgaden was to see Hitler's Eagles' Nest. The Nazi's had a huge compound in this area called Obersalzburg and at the very tippy top is a building that was a 50th birthday gift to Hitler, called the Eagles' Nest. If you've seen Band of Brothers...I believe the final episode...the 101st is stationed at the Eagles' Nest as the war ends.

Anyway, we head up to Obersalzburg and first tour the Dokumentation Obersalzburg...this is a museum that basically chronicles the rise and fall of Hitler and the Nazi Party. It's a very somber place, as it should be. It boggles my mind how Hitler was able to assemble a group of men willing to commit such atrocities. I get the desire for world domination, but the annihilation of an entire people...I can't even fathom it.

Then we head into the bunkers. An elaborate bunker system was created in case of Allied bombing. It was creepy to me walking through this place deep within the mountain...a place built to keep those monsters safe.

After touring the Dokumentation Center, we walked to the bus stop to go to the Eagles' Nest. The road up is winding and narrow, so only a specially equipped bus is allowed. We boarded a bus and began the journey up...the scenery was incredible. Once there, you take an elevator up through the middle of the mountain to the Eagles' Nest itself.

The building itself isn't that impressive. It's been turned into a restaurant which gives it a tacky feel. We did go in and see the fireplace mantel that was a gift from Mussolini (a reminder to choose your friends wisely).

What was impressive was the view. Walking up the mountain from the Eagle's Nest offers breathtaking views all around...you can even see all the way to Salzburg, Austria!

I sat on a bench and just took it all in...it was honestly the most beautiful display of God's creation I had ever seen. How can anyone see such beauty and not see the hand of God? How can anyone see such beauty and feel hatred? Knowing that God not only created the mountains, lakes, forests, and flowers...but each person in this world...makes me feel so special...insignificant, yet important at the same time. And all He wants from us is to love Him and love others...hmmm, how much different would this world be if we embraced that request?