A Night in a Medieval Castle

I have been on many vacations in my lifetime, from Maine all the way to  California.  But of all my vacations, our jaunt to Germany tops them all off.

At first, I was mad.  Mom and Dad had dragged me all the way across the world to Bavaria, Germany.  Despite all the times I had dreamed of going to Europe, I didn’t think it would take this long.  We had taken a ferry across the ocean, and when we docked, had driven a rental car all around Europe, trying to find our hotel.

I wasn’t so pumped about seeing it.  Mom had told me we were staying at a Best Western, which I despise.  Every time I hear the word, I imagine stained beds, bedbugs and burglars.  Quite a lot of bad things, huh?  But I wasn’t even physically prepared for what I saw that day.

I was carsick as usual, and Maya, my Chihuahua, was barking her head off.  “Here it is!” Dad proclaimed loudly.  I looked out the window gloomily.  We were on a broad road, and a massive boulder was protruding from the ground.  But as the car came closer, it appeared to me what it was. 

I almost screamed, “Mom!  Dad! Thank you!”

For what I saw that day was like no other.  Our ‘Best Western’ was really a castle! 

“It’s called Neuschwanstein  Castle,” mother said.  I couldn’t wait, so we grabbed our heavy luggage and raced to the door.

At the sight of the inside, I became a young child again, oohing and aahing at every single thing.  My dad tells the man at the front desk that we have room 978, Dortch family of four.  While he gives my parents directions, Abby and I wander around, gaping at the pictures and silver and gold sculptures.  Our mom and dad usher us into the elevator, and soon we are on floor nine.  Once we have located our room, we knock.

“Who is it?” groans a deep voice.  We all look at each other, and dash right back onto the elevator.

Back again on the on the main level, my father complains that they put someone else in our room.

“We’re so very sorry,” the man at the front desk replied, “Here’s the new room key…you’ve got the Circle Tower!”

I scramble towards the elevator.  Once inside, there’s an awkward silence.  Then I yell, “Yes!  This drive was worth it!”

Even the door of the Circle Tower was beautiful.  It was engraved oak, without a single knot.  When dad slid the key through the door, I beat even Maya inside.  Once I was inside, I gasped.                                                              The hall was painted with beautiful pictures.  “Ludwig ll must have hired some pretty talented men!” Dad exclaimed.

“Who’s Ludwig ll?” I asked.

“Why, he designed this beautiful castle…it was built in 1892!” Dad lectured.  Abby was lounging in one of the gold couches in the living room.  I raced up the first flight of stairs.

Right at the top, I spotted a lush bedroom.  It had a beautiful bed placed in the center, with a nightstand and armoire surrounding it.  I backed out of the room, and into the next.  This was a kitchen, which was installed after the castle was built.

The second stairwell was not the last, and up there I saw two more bedrooms, of both I did not want.

The last stairwell was a ladder up to the smallest little room, scrunched up against the roof.  A window as tall as me stood to the left of a small twin bed.  A little futon was on the windowsill, and Maya sat curled up on it.  Yes, this was to be my room.

I scrambled down one set of stairs, where I found Mom and Dad cooking.  “Abby and I are going to explore,” I stated, and Abby and I were outside the door in a flash.

“Abby, where do you want to go?”

“To the other towers, of course!  They’re not used as hotel rooms,” Abby darted away, and I followed willingly.

My weary feet trudged up the many stairs.  I felt nauseas and tired.  “Almost there!” Abby yelled half-heartedly.

When my stiff feet felt solid floor, I crumpled into a sack.
“Get up.  This stuff is really amazing!”

“Will there be another way back down?”

“No, but going down stairs is always easier than hiking up!”

I picked my drooping body up from the stone floor and looked up.  Abby was right.  Suits of armor lined the walls, and a chest full of dresses stood in the far corner.

“Look, Bella, you can dress up in this stuff!” Abby addressed me.

I loaded myself up with puffy skirts and intricate dresses.  Before we knew it, it’s time to leave

Back in my room, I snuggled down into bed.  I fell asleep, dreaming of living in a castle.

I woke up when Abby called for me to look at the magazine next to my bed.  My droopy eyes snapped open, and I grabbed the magazine labeled History Of Neuschwanstein.  The first page read:

“Neuschwanstein Castle was finished in 1892.  It was built by Ludwig ll, a man with great taste for intricate details.”

Now I know why the castle is near-modern.  It is much newer than other castles around the world.

“Neuschwanstein stands in Bavaria, Germany to this day.”

I closed the book and loftily tossed it onto the nightstand.

I slowly dressed in my striped shirt and jeans.  I smelled eggs and bacon.  Yes!   A big breakfast.  I thudded carefully down the stairs.

My eggs, bacon and toast are ready.  As I munched, I wonder what they ate in Medieval times.  Probably not eggs or toast!

“We’re going to swim today!” Dad reminded us.  I instantly started up towards the stairs, but I remembered that I am already wearing my swimsuit.

The pool is beautiful!  It had  clear, glimmering waters, and I jumped right in.  I dove around and swam like a dolphin.  Abby complained that it was too cold, and didn’t swim at all.

We spent almost the whole day swimming.  I cringed when mom told me it was time to leave.  I reluctantly left, glancing back until the pool was out of sight.

After I cleaned up, I ate dinner.  My stomach relaxed.  I hadn’t eaten since lunch.  I climbed the thousands of stairs to my room, and settled down to reading my magazine.  Though this is just our second day, I can tell the many adventures we are to have in Neuschwanstein Castle.       

    

                   By Bella Dortch 2012-02-22