Discovering Alleys and Passageways in Arachova, Greece

What do I love about Arachova, Greece?

So many twisty-turny passageways to explore.

This awesome little village 

is no sleepy town. 

Situated on the side of a mountain 

makes it a fine location for a ski resort 

(Yes! Skiing in Greece!)

offering a lively nightlife. 

It's close proximity for those who wish to visit Delphi 

also makes it a great place to spend the night. 

The people we met here were very friendly as well. 

One woman told us how to get inside this church. 

This little guy welcomed us too. 

Being on a mountainside 

means there were plenty of steps. 

I lost count climbing these steps 

when I stopped to catch my breath, 

but google says there are 264. 

The steps lead up to this church. 

Do you love all those arched doors?

I LOVE them!! 

There is one main street that runs through Arachova, 

the rest are the small side streets. 

The main street isn't very big either 

but it is lined with 

shops, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. 

A Promise Kept

In my last post I shared the beauty of Ettal Abbey. 

Today we will visit the village of Ettal which has a population of just about 800 people.  

What really puts Ettal on the map is the Passion Play. 

A Sample of the Lüftlmalarei painted on houses.

The Passion play is performed once every 10 years going back to   

1633 when the villagers prayed for protection from the plague 

during the time of the 30 years war. 

They promised God if he would spare them from the plague

 they would perform a play about the life of Christ. 

Today, the play is still performed by the local villagers. 

Now that is what I call keeping a promise! 

We were not there during the year a of the performance, 

that will occur next in 2020. 

But Ettal has beautiful Lüftlmalarei* adorning the houses. 

*painted scenes on houses

And the area has a strong tradition of woodworking and handcrafts. 

If you are in the area, it is worth a visit. 

It is a good place for souvenirs as well. 

In fact in all our travels in Germany, 

we noted they value handwork. 

I don't recall seeing anything made in China. 

What a welcome change from the USA. 

A woodworker working on Christ. 

Oh...and here is something else you don't see in America...

sausage vending machines. 

Imagine that? 

As beautiful as these places are...

I still haven't shared my favorite location! 

Stay tuned! 

http://www.tompgalvin.com/places/de/bayern/1_de_by.htm

Following Cousin Christian to Tegernsee

Teacher Girl, Sailor Boy, Mr. Engineer, Cousin Christian, Me, Soccer Boy

If you've been following along with our travel adventures, 

then it is time you met Cousin Christian. 

Christian is my husband's second cousin...

and he is the best! 

Following Christian aka "Drives With No Hands"... How does he do that? 

Christian took care of us like no other during our Bavarian part of the trip. 

He'd meet us early at our hotel, guide us to destinations, 

then return to Munich in the evening to get some work done and then do it all again. 

Looking Across Lake Tegernsee

On our trip from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 

we lunched at Tegernsee Abbey.  

Tegernsee Abbey is a former Benedictine Monastery 

and now hosts the Bräustüberl Beer Hall. 

Tegernsee Abbey

Just a note on German food. 

I really don't like it and it doesn't like me. 

My stomach rumbled a lot after eating even though I tried to find salads and non-pork dishes. 

I also don't drink beer and getting tap water is impossible. 

Although you can order "still water" it costs more than beer...

and more than gasoline. 

(In one place, I snuck my glass to the bathroom to get water. 

Shhhh. They would freak out and send me a bill.)

The Two Voices of Reason: We're cousins by marriage.

Somewhere behind us (above) is a residence for the King of Bavaria, I had no idea Bavaria still had a king!

"Franz Bonaventura Adalbert Maria Herzog von Bayern (born 14 July 1933), 

styled His Royal Highness The Duke of Bavaria,

 is head of the Wittelsbach family, the former ruling family of the Kingdom of Bavaria." From Wikipedia

Leaving Tegernsee 

And now that we had lunch we are on the road following Christian again. 

We just followed. 

Wherever he was taking us was fine with us. 

Ghosts of Fricks Locks

Once upon a time
back when George Washington was fighting the British
there was a young woman, Miss Crumbaker,
who fell in love with a young visionary, Mr. Frick.


Porch Reflections

The two were married and
Mr. Frick saw opportunity
in the land his wife inherited from her father.
His vision: to bring a canal system through their property.


Boxwood Lodge

That would kind-of be like wanting
a major roadway running through your property.
But this was a money-making venture.
Tolls were collected for the
transport of coal and iron through the canal locks.


The Barn 

Soon an idyllic but busy village grew around
what was now call Fricks Locks.
As technology changed
so did Fricks Locks.
After years of success the canals
were replaced by railroads as a means of transportation.
But the residents of Fricks Locks
loved their village and stayed on.
They lived in a forgotten paradise.


John Frick's House

Technology soon changed things again.
This time, a nuclear power plant entered the scene.
The residents of Fricks Locks had to move out of their beloved village
as their homes were in the exclusion zone around the power plant.


Canal Store and Limerick Power Station 

Their village became an abandoned modern day ghost town
attracting vandals to the decaying structures.
But that is not the end of the Fricks Locks story.
Excelon, the power company that owns Fricks Locks
has invested 2.5 million in restoration of the historical village.
Today, you can tour the restored village
with volunteer guides from East Coventry Township.


Burned Out Locktender's House 

"An agreement between Exelon Generation Company, LLC, and the Township, allows the Village to be opened for escorted public access. Exelon completed the rehabilitation or stabilization of the buildings within the Village and the Township Historical Commission is helping people re-discover the local heritage that began nearly two centuries ago by providing educational guided tours." 
http://eastcoventry-pa.gov/index.asp?SEC=3B1D35AA-A2A6-41DE-B00C-3DA8A0555785 


More Work to be Done 

500 Lower Fricks Lock Road 
Pottstown, PA 19465 
East Coventry Twp.: (610) 495-5443 

Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown.

Ghost Town by Jerry Dammers  

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All images by Rebecca Haegele have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Click on any image to go to its gallery for purchasing information.

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This

The Lantern 
Packer Row, Jim Thorpe, PA 

I am a daydreamer...
and there is something about
small villages and old towns
that ignite those dreams.


Windows in a Row 
Jim Thorpe, PA 

I daydream of living
in such a place,
but could I?
A place where everyone knows my name.


The Village Below 
Jim Thorpe, PA 

There is some comfort in that,
but many times I prefer to be in my little world:
an unknown observer.


Yes, I Could Fix This Up...Or Not 
Jim Thorpe, PA 

I think I should let the mystery
of small towns stir in my imagination
and enjoy the anonymity of suburbia.


Seating for Two 
Jim Thorpe, PA 

After all, why mess with a good dream?

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