30-Dec-22
Today we went on an adventure to ride a cable car.
We took a bus to the cable car, which took us up the mountain to Vöran.
It's a little town. In 2010 it had a population of 927, which is actually up from the previous censuses. Censuses is a weird plural. I feel like it should be censi or something.
It was grey, and a bit cool, so we wandered off to find lunch. We ate at Veranum and had some lovely pasta and knödel dishes.
After lunch we investigated the church and cemetery.
They had wrought iron crosses instead of tombstones, which was interesting.
The church was small but cute.
Fairly plain compared to some other churches we've seen.
The pews had thistles carved into them, so that's a bonus for me.
Max was there, though not enjoying herself.
Oh! After we left lunch we heard music and found a band playing outside someone's house. We found them again later. Apparently for New Year's they go around to everyone's home and play.
The Rathaus, or city hall, has what I thought was a little gold rat on the outside.
But it's a lizard? So...no idea what that's about.
This is what happens when you ask KC to take too many photos.
It's Dan!
We took the cable car back down and waited a long time for the bus to show up and take us back to Merano. We went back to the Airbnb and mucked about until later. After dark we went back into downtown to see the lights and to take KC ice skating.
KC!
Max!
KC wanted to go ice skating, but apparently they were doing a show and the rink closed for public use. If you've ever been around a 4 year old who doesn't get to do what they wanted to do, you can imagine how this went over. (It did not go well. She was VERY upset.) We distracted her with the carousel.
Weeeeeeeeee!
KC got a large stick of cotton candy.
We watched a little bit of the show, hoping that the rink would open up after. (It did not.)
We decided to walk across the river and back through the market.
Weeeee! Lights!
KC was sad she didn't get to go ice skating but we promised we'd figure out how to take her tomorrow.
(Let's hope it's open!!!!)
