Guten Morgen from Salzburg, Austria!

We have so much to update everyone about, including a Hospital visit in Germany. Now I bet I have everyone's attention ;). The morning after our visit to Dachau Concentration Camp, we unanimously decided we were going to White Water Raft down the Isar River in Germany. Well, it wasn't unanimous until last minute and we all got into our first "travel fight". Drew and Jason wanted to go-- I wasn't sure. Then I wanted to go-- Drew and Jason said no. We then told the woman who books the tour that we weren't going, and began walking back to our hostel. By the way, this uncertainty was caused by potential rain all day. With pissed looks on our faces, we walked back to our hostel. Not getting too far, we stopped and all decided that we DID want to go RAIN or SHINE. We definitely made a great decision because the weather was BEAUTIFUL and we all had a blast!

That was my first time White Water Rafting and I had such an amazing time! The scenery was beautiful, so I wish I could have taken pictures. Jason and Drew led the boat and I was in back of Jason. We also had a couple from India and a man from Ireland on our boat-- they definitely could not keep up after a while, haha (It was a 2 hour tour). We went down two Cataracts, which is almost like skiing down a small bunny hill. The water is completely white, loud and fast! You get splashed from all directions-- but you just have to keep paddling hard and intune with the person infront of you (for me that was Jason). The Isar River was beautiful, there were resting points where you could stop and enjoy the scenery-- or take a swim-- or go down the Rapids without the boat. Jason began talking like a Pirate, which made everyone laugh. At points we need to get out and carry the HEAVY boat onto land and at other times we need to jump back into the boat. Jumping in is very difficult-- It was so funny because I jumped in and had jason grab me by my suit and throw me in. He is so definitely NAVY strong! There were moments where I thought I was going overboard, but our tour guide explained what to do if that does happen. Get on your back, pull yourself in tight, cross your arms over your chest, and pull your legs up. Eventually our tour guide had us pull over to the side. She said that if we wanted, we could experience what it feels like to be in rapid water. I was terrified and did not want to go the first time-- but the second time Drew and Jason convinced me. Together we held onto eachother and made our way out into the river with only a life vest (the rapids are too strong for you to go out by yourself-- they will pull you in). Eventually the rapids become too strong and knock you off your feet. You get into the position and begin moving fastly down the rapids. It was SO SO SOOO scary and probably very dangerous. I know how to swim-- but there was nothing I could do to get out. You just need to go with it-- hold the position and breathe. Water hits you in the face at all directions-- especially in the white partIs.I really thought I was going to drown even with my life vest on and Jason grabbing onto me! Jason definitely saved my life in the rapids, haha. He was telling me when to take a deep breath right before water splashed us. Even swimming out at a 90 degree angle was difficult and tiring. I'm glad I experienced what it feels like to be in that kind of water for the 30 seconds we were in it, but I will never do it again!

That night we were all exhausted. We went to an authentic German Restaurant and tried traditional German meals. A lot of pork and bread dumplings with delicious sauces. I took pictures of every meal we've eaten so far-- just so you can have a visual of how yummy they are :). We were so tired after dinner and beer (the German beer is excellent and smooth), that we decided to go back to the hostel and call it a night. Jason stands up and can't walk. He was complaining about his knee hurting during the day-- but nothing too serious. He was fine during White Water Rafting. But now it was serious and very swollen so at 12am we made our way to the Hospital. It turns out that he needs to see a knee specialist at home because there is something showing up on the x-ray that is abnormal. With Crutches and a wrapped knee, we made our way back to the hostel at 3am. We had a warm greeting from our English friends who were wondering what happened to Jason and where we've been. I love hostel life because you meet so many awesome people, but it is sad when you shortly have to move onto your next destination.

The next morning (yesterday) we made our way to Salzburg, Austria-- Jason is really a trooper because we have been walking non-stop! I am going to eat breakfast, so I will tell all about Austria later today. We are taking a day trip and visiting the worlds largest Ice Caves today. :)

We love to hear from everyone! Keep sending comments! :)
<3 Allie, Andrew & Jason