Taken at nightfall from our upstairs window
Today... Looking outside our kitchen window
Two weeks ago began this insane deep freeze you may have seen on the news. Europe has been experiencing record breaking cold temperatures.
Now let's recap:
1. While we were in Florida- record breaking hurricanes
2. Our time in Texas- record breaking heat and drought
3. And now here, record breaking cold
Mental note not to move to tsunami prone areas- Got it.
I recently realized there is a big difference between 20something and 6. Dressed appropriately, you can trounce around in 20and30'something weather with no problems. I did not have the same result with 6 degrees. Stuttgart is in a part of Germany known for their milder climate so this was just stupid weather. Fortunately, it has warmed back up and I will once again, leave the house.
I believe I've mentioned our little town's English speaking group before? A lovely and informative German-American keeps us all informed of local information and things we would probably never know about if it wasn't for her. Well, evidently many of the towns offer their own German immersion classes to their local foreigners-- very inexpensively I might add since it seems like it might be a government program. Ours does too and we would've never known about it without her! What a fantastic surprise!! It's twice a week, for a few hours each time--which is perfect so it won't infringe on my very busy daily life. I am attending now with our friend and also, immediate neighbor. There are five women in the class: The two of us from America, a quiet and pretty girl from Romania, a cute and sweet girl from Thailand, and the adorable and boisterous girl from Yugoslavia. Our teacher's name is Iris I instantly liked her! We had a break mid-class for coffee and desserts.
Um...seriously excellent.
Class is held at the local daycare center.. Cute and cozy place!
I've never walked to school in my life. A pretty place on the route to class!
You really see much more when you walk... When I drive here, I'm more concerned about running over people and other cars--so I miss things like this! So pretty!
Garmisch and Neuschwanstein Castle trip!
What an awesome trip. And, I mean awe-some! It was just one of those times where everything went smoothly... The drive was beautiful and easy. It cut through Austria which looked the same in case you were wondering. :) Edelweiss is a military resort located in Garmisch. There are less expensive places to stay in the beautiful town and surrounding areas, but given all the adjustment issues that just come from learning to live and travel in Europe, we decided to keep it simple this time. What you get? A beautiful, large resort in a great area, a fully English speaking environment-which made it much easier to find the slopes and ski lodges, and American food (which was not that great, fyi) It is certainly convenient. What you miss? Staying in a charming, local family owned chalet that serves excellent breakfasts. And yessssss....we knew that but, we're here for three years- We'll do the charming chalet next time. Or, in Switzerland--Or, basically everywhere else. This was perfect for this trip.
We stopped at the castle on the way and I am so glad we did. There is a beautiful little touristy type town built around the base and I think the town, the road leading in, the ride up to the castle and the exterior of the castle itself altogether is probably the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I'm so glad we saw it in the snow.. I'm sure it's beautiful in any season but it is a fairytale under the snow. However, the actual castle probably wouldn't be famous if not for Walt Disney publicly modeling his fairy tale castle after it! We took the tour and it was fine but there was a certain disappointment to find out an entire level of the castle was never finished. Why? Oh, and real spoiler.. The King only lived there something like 8 days before he died and then it was turned into a museum. So no battles, no great love stories... His throne room didn't have a throne. I'm still glad we toured it... His bed and bedroom was an impressively hand carved everything and I learned they had flushing toilets--which I didn't know! I just assumed they peed in basins. Basins. Ha!
Taking a horse pulled carriage to the castle
Church on a hill!
Skiing is hard. I tried. I really did. I took a day lesson but, I was nowhere ready to hit real slopes. It was so much work and quite frankly, I was afraid. My friend Kerry said it best.. "It's like it takes double the work to ski bad." So true!!! There was nothing natural about it for me... I couldn't use the poles because that was just even more confusing. Not sure if I'll try it again.
Quoting my Facebook status from this trip:
As I was on my rear end, dreading the effort it takes to get back up after falling, I looked up at a bunch of 6ish year olds and said "You guys are way better at this than me." One little boy replied "Yeah, we are."
Even the instructors cracked up with that one. It was indeed true. Those kids were so good! Except one little boy... who just could not stay up on his skis. He was the same kid who fell while going up with the tow rope but he wouldn't let go so I watched him being drug up the mountain/hill. At least there was one person worse than me. So what if he was 6. :D
http://www.deutscheshaus.cc/html/newsletters/fasching_germany.html
Well, now I know. And maybe one of you didn't know either...and now you do. Anywho, two weekends ago was our town's Fasching parade. Our town is so small, about 8,000 people, so we could hear the music as we milled around the house that morning. We walked down to check it out. My pictures aren't great. We stood back because we were late and also fearing being picked out of the crowd for their "mischief". There were tons of witches, woolly creatures, and other costumes... They had a marching band, a large 18 wheeler type vehicle playing music and my personal favorite, a drink stand on wheels in the parade and handing out some liquid drink. Still not sure what it was...
Edelweiss lobby
View from our room
Fasching (ie: Mardi Gras)
The last few weeks I've heard "Fasching this and Fasching that". I had no idea what this was. Then someone said "You know, Mardi Gras." I guess I never stopped to think "Why" we have Mardi Gras. When I found out Fasching here is similar, if not the same thing, I decided to read a little. I often learn things that it seems everyone else has known for years so this very well could be another one of those moments.
Fasching is Germany's carnival season. It starts on the 11th day of November at exactly 11minutes after 11am and ends at the stroke of midnight on Shroud Tuesday - often referred to as Fat Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday). Fasching is more or less a Roman Catholic and Christian Orthodox celebration and most Protestant and non-Christian areas do not celebrate it.
Fasching (also known as Karneval) is a time of festivity and merry making - a time to break the rules, poke fun at those who make them and then to make your own new rules.
In Germany, particularly in the Rhineland area, the tradition can be traced to medieval times where many countries existed under harsh rules. Kings, princes and even smaller potentates maintained their own courts. In doing so, they flaunted before each other their own pomp and splendor at the expense of their population.
During karneval time, the common people took a chance at 'living it up" and "talking back to their rulers". They would make a mock government of eleven people, as well as other officials. A price and princess were selected to rule the country during the Fasching season. Political authorities, high placed persons and sovereigns were the target of ridicule, and featured in humorous and satirical speeches. To avoid persecution and punishment, these antics were played out from behind masks and costumes. Parades, dancing in the streets, masquerade balls and comical skits filled the days and nights.
http://www.deutscheshaus.cc/html/newsletters/fasching_germany.html
Well, now I know. And maybe one of you didn't know either...and now you do. Anywho, two weekends ago was our town's Fasching parade. Our town is so small, about 8,000 people, so we could hear the music as we milled around the house that morning. We walked down to check it out. My pictures aren't great. We stood back because we were late and also fearing being picked out of the crowd for their "mischief". There were tons of witches, woolly creatures, and other costumes... They had a marching band, a large 18 wheeler type vehicle playing music and my personal favorite, a drink stand on wheels in the parade and handing out some liquid drink. Still not sure what it was...
I have no idea what this is or symbolizes. All I know is two kids went in this birdcage thing and they were spun in circles. ?
Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Gardens
For our weekly excursion, Jessica and I visited our local zoo; inline with our recent agreement to sometimes enjoy things that cost next to nothing but that are still awesome! This will be easier when spring comes.
Most every city has a zoo and I realize that outside of the natural fascination of zoos, our zoo is not much different than anyone else's but, Jessica and I had such a great time that day so I thought I would share! It was of course, off season and midweek so virtually nobody was there. But, the animals were out and about and we think that's why we saw so many cool things that day. Brief summary? We saw a sloth moving around with her baby, a brand new baby gorilla, visited the bat cave (very cool!), watched the tiger,--oh, and a peacock tried to kill me. At first I thought he was flirting. He wasn't.
I recently hosted our town's English speaking coffee. I was so excited I found this perfect coffee set from a local thrift store. Dirt cheap and fancy!
And last but, never least....
