Potsdam - Sanssouci

I had the chance to visit the Sanssouci castle and gardens at Potsdam. Julia had been there before, so I headed out on my own for a fun day of sight-seeing. It started with an S-bahn trip to Potsdam, then to the information booth at the train station to find the bus that led to Sanssouci. Here I encountered a quite unfriendly fellow. I asked, in German, if he spoke English — to which I received a sharp "No" in reply. I decided to continue with my question as it was very simple "Bus to Sanssouci?" That was followed by several eye-rolls and a blank stare at one of the employees colleagues. Then he asked "Tickets?" and I showed my transportation day pass — bus tickets were already covered. I said "No" in German, "Bus to Sannsouci?" — followed by another frown and eye-roll and "Tickets?"....

A friendly Germany lady stepped in and asked if she could help, which she did by translating in German to the info booth — the simple "Bus to Sansoucci?" Then man frown at me a sputtered a "6 9 5." So, I found my bus with the help of this woman, however, I can't but think this man was just being rude — the major attraction IS Sanssouci, and its pronounced the same in German as English. Its really a one word request he must receive multiple times a day... uggg, ok on to the Castle.

The Castle was amazing. I'm always a bit confused with the term castle in Germany. By American knowledge, a castle is "supposed" to look like that thing at Disneyland. But, a castle is actually a much broader term that encompasses many different styles of Royal homes. This castle was built in the 1700s and is completely overdone (in a good way). Baroque and rococo styling is throughout the castle, extremely ornate carvings, wall-moulding, furniture, paintings, fixtures and paneling. I really sets you back. The time involved without the luxurious dremel tools we have to day - unbelievable.

They don't allow photos on the inside, so you can visit the this link to get a sense of the interior decoration.