HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

MAY 2009 BE YOUR BEST YEAR YET!
(Scenes from Innsbruck New Year's Celebration)

Berlin - City of Drama and Dreams

Hop on , Hop off double-decker buses serve as effective big city transportation , bilingual guides point out landmarks and editorialize about their home city. As a tourist, just don't loose your ticket and know when the last run of the day is. Our Berlin tour showed the unique political and cultural metro features.




Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate standout as focal points. It is amazing historical poignancy on a global stage with superpower involvement. Our cab driver told us that about one half of Germans, who were anti-American, now are not since Mr. Obama's election.

Berlin's philharmonic orchestra, recognized as world class, was in concert Friday the 26th. Tickets were sold out, so Tom and I decided to attempt buying them in the front of the hall. Competition was fierce! (I'm not kidding!) A professional ring of three, using a cell phone and bully power, were dominating sales. Tom was posted out front and me by the side door. Chances didn't look promising as tourists scurried for any available ticket. SCORE! Two tickets! (by Tom)
Classical music at its best was played flawlessly.

The Holly and The Ivy

Celebrating Christmas with our German community marked 2008 as unique for us. Different customs, foods, language and landscape shaped the holiday. P.J. flew in for an eleven day visit, his girlfriend Sara also was our guest. Definitely, we missed Gretchen and Simon, who were in Illinois gathered around Nussbaum's tree.

An especially beautiful memory for us was when Bamberg Cathedral darkened,only candles and tree lights could be seen. Organ music and voices blended together as "Silent Night" was sung. Simple elegance combined with Christmas peace was evident. We continued to stroll the cobblestone city streets, people watching and sensing magical spirits.

Village residents in Rattlesdorf gathered at town square before 10:30 Mass spreading cheer. Community band members trumpeted carols while others sipped warm drinks. The clock struck 10:25 and all headed to church one block away.

Christmas Day brunch at our apartment featured sausages, eggs, stollen, juice, etc. Back to our favorite spot once again Banz Abbey, we worshipped at 2:oo Vespers and then were really lucky! The Cafe was open so we dined at the Abbey. Apple strudel with warm vanilla sauce was our Christmas pudding.

O Christmas Tree!

Beautiful! The simple, well-shaped pine Tom purchased is the first real tree we've had in 25 years. Germans love nature, very simply decorating their trees, not overdoing it . Usually with a few white lights ( a string of 50 is what we used), strand of beads or two, red balls and a dozen straw ornaments, the project is complete. Your evergreen is now decorated, but not overdone.

The really great feature of a tree like this is- if those nasty lights short out, you know which string and can easily toss another one on. Now listen to a few Bing Crosby tunes, sit back and enjoy!



This weekend we once again went to Christmas markets and found a great one. Coburg, only 30 miles north, hosted a wonderful, artistic event. It was around 40 degrees and rained Saturday and Sunday. We enjoyed sitting in a cafe watching fair goers with umbrellas sip gluhwein and eat brats out the window. Inside we had hot chocolate and ate some sinfully good dessert with about a million calories in it.

Merry Christmas From Germany

'Tis The Season

Today I'm not subbing; just diddling around in our apartment. In Italy I purchased a stove top cappuccino maker. (30E, not bad) The Bialetti brand is sold worldwide. Italians are more patient than the average American and apparently smarter.

Details are important in life. After failing to successfully produce a quality cup of coffee, five times, I humbled myself , asked a sales clerk and Tom for assistance. Speaking a bit of English, a shopkeeper communicated to me the can of coffee had to have a stove top illustration on it and of course, one uses whole milk, not 2% or skim. (what was I thinking)
Tom screwed the four pieces together correctly.

Ten minutes is a long time to stand by the stove waiting for a pot to boil; so you walk away, maybe to dust, use the restroom, find a magazine etc. Bingo! Instructions warn that once boiling, in 10 to 15 seconds, froth is produced. And in 20 or 30 seconds it's everywhere. Those Italian coffee gurus were serious! I was shocked how much mess a cup or so of milk and coffee can make. Slow learner here, did it again, once. Today, I followed instructions and am happily drinking cappuccino and eating stollen. It's German's favorite holiday pastry, their fruitcake. Julia Child and I rate it this way; if there's rum or brandy in the pastry, not too bad, moist. When nuts and fruits stand alone, get your butter out!

Back to seasonal wonder, our favorite winter landscape is Banz Abbey, 15 miles north. The light snow was still on trees. We had to show Mark and Alli (our neighbors from 10th Ave. and now in Switzerland). A winter walk is a perfect way to relax. After hiking we took off for Coburg castle and then a Christmas market.



If you show up in Bamberg say "cheese" please! Mr. Phil Strand, Tom's hometown buddy, was on a business trip to Germany, stopping by before his departure from Munich. Great conversation was exchanged while we dined with him. Our guests get treated to dinner, their photo published,and receive a special gift. Or in Phil's case, his wife, (it's hard to buy for guys)


Now we would like to introduce our new friend, Monica. One kilometer down the road in Ebing we have a favorite gasthaus. If you don't like brats, fries and beer, it's not the place for you. Locals play cards so we took our cribbage board along to show Mark and Alli a country pub.

Bartender/waitress Monica was pleased to see us again. She shared recent traumas in her life. We were all attentive listeners, encouraging her. She willingly agreed to take our picture. (this should have been on video) So funny! All she got in the photo was part of Alli's arm and curtains. She was trying so hard, first she had the camera pointed towards her, realized it, and then took this photo. We told her we all looked good and thanked her. Monica will be featured in a future blog.

Back to the season, I'm doing my German Christmas cards today. With the help of a German/English dictionary, I hope to send out a few notes without insulting anyone.

Weinachsmarket Scenes

Nurnberg Main Square
Nurnberg

Nurnberg

Gingerbread Hearts

Wurzburg Market

Konigsburg Market - Only Held on Sunday Afternoon

Konigsberg; Band Plays, Local Folk Enjoy FellowshipNurnberg; Santa and His Dog Rudolf

German Christmas Markets

There would be no markets (in our opinion) if there were no gluhwein (hot mulled wine). Germans are not foolish people. It's damp and snowflakes don't come down that often, cold rain does. Our temperature often is between 32 and 39 degrees. Markets feature ornaments, candy, roasted nuts,colorful toys etc. Wooden stalls form quaint villages on plazas as musicians entertain crowds.




Being at a market is like stepping into a postcard scene. After you've parked your car, no one is aggressive anymore! Mugs of wine are sipped and smiles get bigger. The number 1 priority of locals is to find friends and stand chatting near a table, conversing about global economic problems (just kidding, I don't know , my German is minimal). Shopping is a distant second in their minds. Some tourists, on the other hand , are on a mission to bring home European treasures.


Nurnberg is generally considered the most famous Christmas market. Two million people yearly visit this event, which is over 400 years old . A Christmas angel opens festivities and is often present. Inexpensive gifts for children are what inspired creation of markets historical.

Pictured For You

In case you weren't sure what sandwich dining 101 looked like,
Tom had a coworker snap a photo at the clinic.

Salami And Cheese

Yes, the cheap stuff, Oscar Mayer, the kind you can purchase in just about every U.S. grocery . (and commissary in Bamberg, I continue to feel blessed) . Your job is to picture this - Tom/Katie sitting at a desk (him - clinic, me - school), alone, eating this tasty sandwich (really, I do like them). Maybe chips, maybe an apple, cookies (Tom) and a can of soda. We have to save for weekend travel someway!

This is our daily schedule. Get up at 6:00 a.m., drive to base, show I.D., go to school or clinic, hop in car, drive home, look at internet, turn on CNN and then eat way more M & M's than either of us should. On days I'm left behind in Rattlesdorf, without a car, I clean, get groceries, read some, etc., and etc.....

We are living further north than Minneapolis so, believe it or not, darkness sets in even more. I'm so glad we're not in Iceland. (after Tom picked it as a destination for our 25th wedding
anniversary week, he got the hint, on about the third day , I had no desire to return). December 7 it was not fully light out until 7:40 a.m. and dark by 4:17 pm.

Appreciate your T.V. selection! CNN World repeats itself, a bit anti-American, and has economy news on about 90% of programming time. I need comedy! We got comedy- at the Post, lucky us again, they have DVDs of shows. My treat was "The Flying Nun" starring Sally Field and Tom can't wait to watch another season of "Scrubs"!

Did You Get Your Advent Calendar?

I was so excited to get a German calendar "Mit Musik". However I made an assumption it came " Mit Chocolat" too. I thought all German ones did because that's the way school children always sold them! I was wrong! So now to keep interest in the tradition after I open the day's number, I eat a cookie to compensate for no candy.

We went to the Little Sisters of the Big Church Advent Bazaar purchasing pictured items. The lovely candle piece must have come from their closet and they parted with it to raise funds for needy kids somewhere. Those crafty women painted lots of German trolls; they are loved in this country and often find homes in gardens. It was nostalgic seeing Sisters in habits and veils, a good Catholic memory.

Back to my calendar, "Silent Night" plays as windows open. This famous German carol has endured over time as one of everyone's favorites. Sometimes I sing along, Tom is still trying to decide if my off key voice or poor pronounciation of German is more annoying!

All In A Day

Last Saturday we motored around Italy's largest lake, Garda. There is great variation from south to north.

Mediterranean south - Fjords north

Diversity is what keeps travel exciting. These are views from within a six hour period.
("Click" on each photo to enlarge.)


































Sunday we crossed the Brenner Pass from Northern Italy into Austria.
(Editor's Note: I have tried to position these words next to the proper photo ten times and have now given up. With these last words it now works. Never Mind.)

Verona's Hometown Heroes Romeo and Juliet

Verona's origins date back to ancient times, besides being a commercial center, it has been developed culturally and artistically . Many streets are picturesque and city churches filled with famous frescoes. A well preserved Roman amphitheater (1st Century A.D.) sits on a prominent piazza, near it begins a traditional promenade of wide marble pavement called "Liston". Only the most fashionable shops surround this area.




The Scaligeri clan established itself as rulers of Verona in 1260. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet drama is set in the city, featuring the maiden out on her balcony ,with her lover from a feuding family courting below. Historians dispute if there ever was such a couple but Verona tourism says, " yes there was!" Who knows?






Maybe the philospher Dante, another famous citizen, whose statue is a favorite perch for pigeons.

Keep Looking Over Your Shoulder

When in Italy caution is needed for several reasons.

You are left alone at the inn-"La Rocchetta". After being given a key at check in, the continental breakfast put out, Innkeeper Marco was gone. No other guests, no staff for two nights. This would be great if we were 25 years younger, had friends near and a keg of beer. But in a foreign country when you know about six words of the spoken language it was odd. Friday night about 1:00 a.m. for excitement two police cars stopped and were questioning someone outside our front door.


Marco reappeared Saturday morning as friendly as could be. He explained that other guests had not come because of cold weather, but tonight we would not be alone. His daughter (the family does not live at the inn) would be hosting a birthday party for 20 friends in the inn's breakfast
room, on the same level as our bedroom. He had told her no screaming and hoped we didn't mind.


Since this was our last night in Italy we went out for pasta. As we walked home, the evening rain picked up, so we ducked into another restaurant for a drink. The first person we see is Marco; he, his wife and friends are enjoying drinks as the party is on at the inn.

***
Your money, Italians want it! Apparently they don't realize you can read numbers and add. Starting at the toll both on the autostrada, toll guy kept an extra euro. Three different restaurants over billed us, two of them we called on it. (one bill was increased by 30%) Each business had a mob cousin at the front being important, but basically doing nothing. All used a bit much hair gel and one dude had a gun in the middle of his navy sweater. (Sorry, no photo of creepy guy.)

***




Run for your life! That's what you need to do before a motorized vehicle hits you. It doesn't matter if you're on the sidewalk, city hall plaza, in front of church or at a crosswalk, Italians put it in gear and floor it down their narrow streets. Look left, look right, look over your shoulder and they still may hit you straight on!!!!

Dear Uncle Calvin

"Wishing you a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. Hope you are well! "

Love,
Katie

Christmas cards are that annual greeting we like to receive, but are time consuming to put together. (with love of course)

This year I had planned to send a beautiful, unique German designed card. After searching many stores, in several towns and the internet my conclusion was this - 1. boxed cards like those sold in the U.S. are not available here 2. single cards are pricey (3 to 4E) 3. if a holiday greeting is sent, often it is a postcard and 4. Germans don't usually send many Christmas cards

So our card this year is an American Hallmark design, purchased on an American Army Base in Germany, stamped in Austria, addressed and signed in Italy. Also included is a brief, cheerful form letter (sorry!) and a photo collage of smiling faces.

Happy Thanksgiving (Pumpkin Pie Included)

We woke up at the Golden Alder Hotel located in Innsbruck, Austria this morning. After pulling curtains back a most beautiful view was at hand, breathtaking Alps surrounded us. Bright, blue sky and crisp air accented mountain magic. Morning brunch was bountiful, like Thanksgiving should be, so we overate and then wandered
around cobblestone streets.





Christmas markets were set up already selling decorations, toys and most importantly Gluhwein. Wednesday night after arriving, we stood under a heater (and the stars) sipping a steaming mug of wine. Tyrolean culture folklore dominated themed booths.






By noon we were driving over the Brenner Pass en route to Italy. LeCrumb Cafe had stocked pumpkin pie , so we devoured it out of its tin, without whipped cream, as an afternoon snack. Very thankfully we celebrated the holiday in style. (what kind of style I'm not sure)

Pumpkin pasta at "Alla Borsa" in Valleggio sul Mincio, Italy completed our Thanksgiving feasting.

PS. We hope you all enjoyed watching the Macy's Parade today!
(Tom takes the photos, Who writes this stuff??)

Countryside Beauty

Fifteen miles north of Rattlesdorf are two rare jewels featuring Baroque architecture. Banz Abbey founded by Benedictines was set on a hilltop in 1069. Today it still brews some pretty good beer, offers cafe dining and has fantastic walks around it.






Vierzehnheiligen two miles away is a pilgrimage church for many people. A shepherd is said to have seen 14 saints at this site. It is absolutely beautiful inside and outside. Well worth a trip to see!