Christmas In Germany
German Christmas Markets
We arrived in Munich and our guide makes it clear this is Bavaria. Bavarians favor autonomy from Germany and even have their own language. I've been here many times but looking through sober eyes now, I feel more vibrant, clean and sophisticated. We spent two days with Nancy, a excellent guide who has already emailed me to stay in touch.
I have a mini-group of just 26 so this is like a holiday for me. It is a first time for some abroad and I love learning from them realize things with child-like enthusiasm that I do not.
This is the land of high technology engineering. We had a Mercedes dealership on 9 floors, with new cars stacked to the shape of an Advent tree. We also see the BMW factory. I would like to work here with 7 weeks of vacation a year, 340 different work schedules to choose from, a gym, spa and its many other benefits. We stop for apple strudel Hot and visit the famous sites.
Here is the 100th Christmas tree with 2500 candles. Our welcome dinner in Haufbrauhous is a delight with yodeling, alp horns and sausages of everything-Wurst. The group toasts their natural mugs based only barley, water and hops.
It is time the people of enchanting tale. This is a magical time to visit. No country celebrates Christmas with more passion than Germany. As we head to the Alps, the morning sky looks like a bruise pale. Pretty soon a snow storm envelops our coach, but we have an experienced driver named Eno who we fell in love with trips end in 7 days.
We Neuschwanstein and ride a horse carriage to the famous castle. (This is the Disney fashion on its own after.) I have seen more castles than I can count throughout the world, but medieval knight's fortress with spectacular Gothic towers. Built in 1869, which seems spanking brand new with decorated rooms intact. The 388 steps inside are well worth the climb. No one here, summer can draw 5,000 tourists each day. In winter, this fairytale castle becomes a surreal dream. That is why I like to travel off-season.
Pity poor Mad King Ludwig II, who designed the world's largest, most extravagant castle, expensive and opulent for himself. It is a sad story of sixth king who lived here only four months. The people loved him as much as the German Tourist Board today. His family however, did not. They sought to declare Ludwig insane and hired a team of psychiatrists to prove such. Although he was prone to depression and insomnia no doctor can find him mentally fit.
After the final rule, his body was found in the lake and the family said it was a suicide. But the body of his psychiatrist was also found most agree, was a murder, especially since an autopsy was refused. It was later determined Ludwig was gay, so the "fairytale king" was really a fairy.
We stopped in charming Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Plays every 10 years. The wooden houses are painted with fairytales: Hansel & Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, etc. then toured Nuremberg with an astute guide who brought of the city to life before our eyes the 15th century to its destruction in World War II.
Some went to the Toy Museum or Torture Museum while I set to explore the world's largest Christmas Market.
With giant lit trees, double sprees, horses with bells, over 400 food stalls and crafts, this is as festive as it gets! I graze my way through the white chocolate banana bread, fruit, glass grapes, dipped pretzels, pink pigs of marzipan, licorice angles and all types of roasting sugar coated nuts. in the form of gingerbread are omnipresent and the aroma of the wine warm fragrances glühen fresh air.
I'm on a sugar high and the head of the crafts. Shopping is a blood sport here through narrow lanes but MasterCard is my armor and I find all my toy treasures. There are giant nutcrackers representing every occupation, only 29 trillion ornaments and nativity scenes. Begins at sunset lighting. I pause for a dinner of 6 Bratwurst, Bavarian cheese and a pyramid of sauerkraut to last me until 2012.
In Rodenthal who traveled the Goebel / Hummel Factory. However, I anticipated boredom was fascinated to learn each piece is precious. From 1871 until today, 700 artists create these tiny figurines not useful. They are paid per piece and if you make a mistake, must be broken.
The highest paid artists are the delicate face painters. I met a woman who has spent 12 years just painting eyebrows, another on lips and a man who has worked 10 years cheeks blush! The strain of the eye must be like threading sewing needles for life and carries Three years of learning to move to this level. Initially our guide assumed we were a collectors club when in fact can hardly afford a baby Jesus.
Later, in East Germany we visited Lauenstein Confiserie, a chocolate / praline factory that was so busy with the season, that we hardly notice. I knew about the chocolate fountain nearly having an orgasm cocoa and confirm again that America can not produce this product as purely or satisfying than in Europe.
Best of all peoples Rothenberg, population 2300, where the Prince Hotel is located within the walls of the Old City. Our guided tour here instantly awakened all my 5 senses and made me want to stay for days. We tend to go over the top of each year with our flashy decorations. Among the half-timbered houses wood here in the cobbled streets, is quieter and smoother. One is taken back to the Middle Ages with the pewter ornaments hand crafted and evergreens lit with candles.
Then, our guide Claudia invites us all at home. I will buy a snowball "for which this city is known. They are stacked like softball balls of color in the windows. For over 300 years, these pastries were frugally made from scraps of fresh pie dough. Dipped in chocolate, berries or butter cinnamon, that melt in your mouth. When the sun shines, I remove the cover of a mild 50 degrees. I wanted the snow.
We finish the tour in the city Student Prince of Heidelberg with entrance to the famous castle and its 55,000 gallon wooden barrels. That night, I think a great trip, my last in 2005. I write this journal so my wonderful little group will remember everything. With pride, I will always remember, in time, patients without complaints, generous tippers, polite and friendly to the premises between yes. Perfect travelers I wish I could clone.
After hugging Eno goodbye, we left with shopping bags so many now think you need a trailer to tow their coach.
This December, it was joyous to be transported in time. I definitely got in touch with my inner elf. What a gift! Merry Christmas to all and wishing you see in the new year!
About the Author
Former Miss Wisconsin Suzy Davis has traveled the world for nearly 30 years,
initially as a flight attendant and now with her company
http://www.AdventuresForSingles.com
Impressions of Christmas-Time in Germany
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