We met Austin Powers in Germany. Sort of.

At last, the remaining images from my trip.  Difficult to believe that this time one month ago I was in Germany.  A month, already?  and how is it March?  I feel like it was just Christmas.  Whoever said time goes by quicker as you get older wasn't lying.  Or if time flies when you're having fun then I must be having a hell of a lot of fun!

Isn't that the goal in life? To have fun and make the most of it?  Yes, yes, and yes.

So, last time I wrote we were leaving Garmisch but I made an error in the timeline.  We did a brewery tour on our last night in Garmisch.  It was a group tour with people from our hotel and turned out to be great fun.  After a short bus ride to get to the brewery, we went inside and were met with all of this beautiful copper:

 
We then met our fabulous tour guide, Wolfgang:

Kate and I got a kick out of him because he was just really fun.  He explained the process of making the beer which, at the beginning of the tour, he mentioned there would be a test at the end.  We walked through, heard all about the process and had a sampling of a very interesting sweet beer.  It was served in a tiny mug the size of a shot glass and topped with whipped cream. 

After the tour part was done, we all had dinner right there in the brewery.  I didn't take more than a handful of photos in the brewery.  Mostly because it was a little chaotic with our tour group being all together for eating so we socialized a bit with the folks at our table.  During the trip, Kate had been wanting us to get some schweinebraten (a pork dish) because she told me it was quite good.  Lucky for us, they had it at the brewery so we both got it and I did enjoy it.  If you are wondering what it looks like, you can see photos of it here on another site I found with before, during, and after images of the cooking process.  The outer edges of the meat get crispy and it's very good. 

Oh, and there actually was a test on the brewing process.  Whoever had the most answered correctly, got a gift certificate to the brewery gift shop.  It wasn't me, but we all did get "diplomas" signed by Wolfgang that we completed the tour.  In the gift shop, I did pick up a glass stein and one of the tiny mug shot glasses along with a single serving of the sweet beer (that you top with the whipped cream) to bring home. 

The next morning we gathered our things and while waiting for our taxi, I took these in the hotel lobby:

There was a spot you could go up some stairs and lounge while enjoying the view through the hotel window:

We meant to relax up here with some coffee in the morning time, but didn't get the chance.  So just before we left was the first time I went up in this loft portion.  If I had known there was a piano up there, I would have probably tried to get away with playing it.

We said goodbye to the Edelweiss Resort and headed to the train station:

While we waited for our train, an older man started talking to us.  Kate and I both thought he was British, but he wasn't.  I don't recall where he said he was from, but he sounded like Austin Powers so for the rest of the trip Kate and I kept blurting out at random, "YEAH BABY! YEAH!!"

He definitely had the teeth to be Austin Powers, which is unfortunate for him.  At the time it would have been odd, but looking back I wish now that I would have taken a photo of him.

By the time we were back in Regensburg, it was later in the day but we took a bike ride to the Biomarkt for some things and I wanted to take some photos inside:

Always on the prowl for the all natural products.  It was interesting to see the Dr. Hauschka packaging in all German:

On my last day in Germany, we went back to downtown Regensburg and strolled around.  It was a great day.  Whenever I go someplace I really try to take in everything around me.  The narrow streets, intricate signs outside of shops, it was just as I had imagined in my head how it would look.  Seeing it right in front of me was surreal. 

Entering the downtown area:

We stopped for a cookie:

This made me miss my dog:

I went inside this cathedral which was just breathtaking:

It was time to stop for lunch where we warmed ourselves up with some red wine (Kate and I, not Jack).  We had a good time.  One of my favorite shots from the whole trip:

Then it was back out for some more perusing and I was in love with the light and texture as well as the intricate signs hanging outside of the shops:

I couldn't pass up some of the graffiti and random street art:

Passed by the window of an old record store:

and a quaint card and stationary shop that fashioned this decor on the outside of the entrance:

Note the outerwear.  This should indicate how cold it is.  Also, you can see the man's exhaled breath and no, he wasn't smoking:

I have a thing for bicycles:

and just as dusk started to approach, we were making our way out of downtown Regensburg:

Kate said this area is packed in the warm months with people drinking beer and having a good time.  I could imagine how lovely that might be but this time, it was a ghost town.  No one is drinking beer in an outdoor courtyard in 9 degree weather!  Nonetheless, it is still a beautiful sight:

So there you have it.  Germany through my eyes and lens.  It was amazing.  I would recommend anyone to visit.  On that note, if one chose to visit during the cold months, I would bring very warm gloves.  Freezing cold hands is not what you want when trying to shoot photographs.  The cold weather is tolerable if you have the appropriate gear--shout out to my North Face coat, the Metropolis Parka.  Totally worth the money. 

I was sad to say goodbye to Katie.  We were just starting to get into a rhythm of me being there and doing our thing.  If only I'd had another couple of weeks to stay.   

and this sweet little face.....I saved this one for the last photo because it was one of my favorites:

and with that, an appropriate sentiment and from one of my favorite films of all time:

So long, farewell

Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight

I hate to go and leave this pretty sight

 

Germany - Part 2

On my last entry, I left off just as we were going up in the cable car to the top of the Zugspitze.  So let's pick up from there. 

This is what we rode in:

and this is where it pulls in at the top:

Kate taking in the view:

There was some graffiti on an inside walkway where many people left their mark, and one especially appropriate sentiment:

Self portrait and some more from the top:

It was time to leave and I snapped a few on the way back down.  Someone skiied there:

It was quite an experience being up there.  Once we were back on land, we went back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.  Sadly I don't recall the name of the place we went, but our server (who was from Italy), was kind enough to take a few shots of us in the restaurant.  Just outside the window there, we saw a woman ride by on a sled with sled dogs.  True story.  I couldn't get my camera out in time to get the shot though.  That was a frozen lake out there behind the fence which we probably could have skated on if 1.) we had skates, and 2.) if we hadn't been drinking prosecco.  Although, the prosecco may have made it even better.

The next day we spent some time in the Marienplatz, which is a quaint part of downtown Garmisch.  Many of the structures have very intricate paintings on them, both homes and shops:

There was this neat shop that had a ton of Christmas ornaments and all kinds of handcrafted items:

Can you tell we're related?  I didn't notice that we basically had the same stance until after these photos were taken:

We went to this place called Kronner's two days in a row because it's so good there.  Kate ordered this Cream Orange tea the first time and told me how amazing it was so after trying hers, I got it the second time we went.  I made sure to photograph the tea bag so I'd remember the name to be able to search for the tea back home or online.  They serve it to you on a tray with your own little teapot, tiny creamer receptacle, cup and saucer obviously, and this amazing sugar.  It's like rock candy but smaller and not on a stick.  The tea tastes like a creamsicle.  It is basically heaven in a tiny cup.

This is what we had for lunch that day.  Both things were very good and I am not much on sausage products but it's not the same type of processed gristle-filled meat as many of them are in the U.S.  That tiny condiment dish has fresh horseradish and it definitely was fresh...and strong!  I don't think my eyes have watered as much from eating something.  So good though.  Fun fact - butter is not served with bread automatically like it is here.  In fact, they charge you extra for it.  While a lot of the bread I had there was good without the butter (which, I guess that's how you know you have good bread?) I'm sorry....I still like it with butter.  Which reminds me of the butter pretzels that I loved...they were SO GOOD and ironically I did not take a single photo of one.  I was too busy eating it!

After a nice day walking around, it was getting to be dinner time so we said goodbye to the little shopping area to go back to the hotel.  A horsedrawn buggy went by and I at least got the rear view of it.  Pretty neat!

.....and so we said goodbye to downtown Garmisch! 

Next on the agenda was our brewery tour that evening which was great fun and I'm glad we did it!  I will be making that the start of the 3rd (and final) installment of my photos from Germany.  What a wonderful experience to have gone and seen all of this.  I hope you are enjoying the recap through my photos! 

Germany - Part 1 (of who knows how many)

I decided to split up my blogging about Germany into more than one entry.  It takes awhile to make blog posts, at least it does for me.  So with that being said, let's get right into it. 

I bought a new 16gb memory card especially for my trip and this was the first photo I took - Jacky in the apartment having some relaxation time...such a sweet little face:

We got back to the apartment from the airport, I settled my things in, and Kate, Jack and I went to the Biomarkt (a natural food store nearby).  We felt like baking so we decided to make a dessert for their neighbors!  They don't have sweet desserts in Germany like we have in the U.S. so we decided on these cookie dough cheesecake bars.  Here is a photo of the ones we made:

Those things are killer and people go crazy for them.  I made them once before and took them to work.  There was not even a crumb left at the end of the work day.  So, put the recipe on your list of "something to bring to the next potluck".  Trust me. 

We ventured to downtown Regensburg for a bit where I took these (shadow of clock tower on the walkway there):

We went up in the tower (even though it was roped off inside...we're rebellious) and I took a few from up there, including this one below where the shutters look like barber poles (or candy canes).  Kate told me that during the Christmas season they decorate this building as an advent calendar!

There's the clock tower.  I was shooting through those little windows you see above where the clock is.  The man playing the violin was a nice touch to the atmosphere.  He wasn't wearing gloves.  Either he's really used to the brutal cold or he just doesn't care.  Props to him. 

After a few hours in the downtown area, we went back to the apartment.  The lighting in Kate and Josh's place is amazing.  In fact, of all the scenic shots I took while out and about during the trip, this image was one of my favorites and was taken right in their apartment.  This is an example of one of the most wonderful things about photography for me personally.  Something from every day life, flowers on a table with the light coming in from the window.  I'm in love: 

So cute:

Kate and I went to a quaint little restaurant where I had my first Dunkels beer in Germany (so good!) along with some wiener schnitzel:

I could not eat all of that schnitzel, which says something because those who know me, know I can usually put some food down. 

I had been enjoying the local sights and spending time with Kate and little Jack.  We had a Jude Law movie marathon one day which was super fun and relaxing (and easy on the eyes!).  Josh had been out of town but was back that Sunday so when he got home, Kate and I prepared to leave for our girls trip, just the two of us, to Garmisch!  Monday morning we took the train down.  Katie and Josh had told me about how people in Germany stare and I didn't experience it until we got on the train.  I'm not sure if people there just don't know that staring is rude, or if they just don't care.  But they definitely do it, and for a prolonged time!  Kate challenged me to have a stare down with a local German person but I never did get the chance after we were on the train that day. 

We stayed at the Edelweiss Lodge and it was just lovely.  A lot of cross country skiiers around, so I'd look out the window from time to time and see one.  This was the view from our room:

We took a taxi and headed to see the Zugspitze.  I took these when we got out of the taxi, before buying our tickets to get to the top:

Then we got on the cable car to head to the top!  I had not been in a cable car until that moment and it was awesome!  I took these shots on the way up, through the cable car glass.  It was wild being in a small glass box coasting your way to 9,000+ feet...with only the glass and metal you're standing on separating you from the outside.  You can see the cloudy fog and snowy trees and for the record, I've never felt such cold as I did in Germany.  Living in Maryland, we have 4 distinctive seasons and have had some rough winters.  But this was seriously cold.  Especially when we got to the top.  Although I do understand that this was unseasonably cold weather for them.  Apparently I brought the cold with me to Germany.

Trees:

So with that, I'm going to leave you here for the time being!  The next series will be from the top of the Zugspitze and more from the quaint town of Garmisch. 

Please stay tuned and thanks for taking the time to look at my photos!

Impossible Germany

This past weekend I returned home from a wonderful trip to Germany.  Despite the cold weather (I'm more of a warm weather person), it was so great.  Not only was I able to visit a new place and take in all the sights, but I was also able to visit my cousin Kate.  She was kind enough to let me stay with her and show me around.  The other day someone asked me what my favorite part of the trip was and my answer was being able to spend quality time with Katie.  Getting to see a beautiful country was just an added bonus.

While I'm still sifting through my photos, I wanted to at least share one as a preview in the meantime.  Kate and I went to Garmisch-Partenkirchen which is in Bavaria, Southern Germany.  On our first day there, we decided to visit the Zugspitze and from there is where I took this photo.  The Zugspitze is often called the "Top of Germany" and stands as Germany's highest mountain at 9714 ft. 

More on the trip later along with additional images, but for now just the one and also a suitable blog entry title which happens to be a song from one of my all time favorite bands, Wilco.  If you are interested in hearing the song, you can watch the Letterman performance here.  Lead guitarist Nels Cline kicks down a sweet guitar solo around the 4 minute mark until the end of the song.  It's worth watching, but I'm partial.

From the Zugspitze:

Stay tuned for more recap on Germany complete with photos!