One of my favourite and most awaited trips this year was to the Sächsische Schweiz. The idea came to me after doing months of sprachschule (language school) where we read actively about the park.
Apparently the park was named after two Swiss climbers said they could not but help seeing the resemblance between this small region and their home country, Switzerland.
I had made up my mind that I wanted to head down the whole year, and then Maxi and I finally got a weekend to make the trip. We got two regional train tickets to Königstein and spent 6 hours riding to our destination, while first stopping for a couple hours in Leipzig, another Sprachschule inspired detour.
Once we got there we hiked 3 km to our campsite, and enjoyed the amazing views, while finishing our food. The next day we went hiking in the Bastille, which is where most of the pictures from the park come from, as the rocks there are very dramatic. We spent most of the time hiking, and you can see the pictures below.
Our campsite was 3 km from any destination nearby, and eventually we started getting tired having to hike another 3 km to get to our place. Our lazy asses started hitchhiking the last 3 km, here and there and that is where we met the most interesting people.
A couple with their child and friend squeezed us into their tiny tiny Prius and shared stories about their current adventures, and were very curious about Canada as a country itself. Another couple, who were very, very German took us, despite their sick dog ,and we chatted about their children’s upcoming weddings and so on… even the people who rejected us were nice. Apologizing and smiling as they went by. I never thought 3 km could create such positive interactions, but yet there we were!
One day we also grabbed some bikes and did a 50 km ride to Děčín, Czech Republic . The ride was the most scenic landscape I’ve ever ridden… and it did not hurt that it was mostly flat… :). I came back and gulped down a pizza, and a beautiful huge ice cream sundae. The 50 km takes a lot out of you… you need to replenish!
And ya, it was a trip for the nomad in me. Hiking, biking and minimalistic camping. I think that is where my heart is happiest, when I get the privilege to see the world, as it is, without luxurious embellishment. I think in these moments I find a lot of peace.
On our way back our train broke down, thanks Deutsche Bahn! And we rode chaotically in three overflowing regional trains, making it home after a strenuous travel. But I guess that is the thing, I always feel like wandering should cost something, and paying the price of discomfort as a traveler is what makes the view and the fruits of the journey even sweeter.
I had a great time.
Pictures below:
Bastille and Königstein :
Bike riding to Děčín, Czech Republic:
