Saturday, September 24, 2005
17 & 18 September MY WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY
ADLKOFEN WITH THE ECKER FAMILIE
Back again for a visit with the Ecker family to a nice homely country kitchen. Weather was overcast and very chilly, a great excuse for a lazy weekend indoors. Frau Ecker cooked and cooked while we ate everything she put in front of us. Erhard picked me up and we shopped for fresh plums called swetschken, a particular type so that his mum could cook a very traditional cake for us. We also stopped at the hardware store which was interesting to do all the normal things we do at home. Now, back at the ranch and this homely kitchen with the old wood heated stove that warmed the whole room, no need for electric heaters here. We chatted all day and they also took out old photographs, some of our family included.
Frau Ecker served home made strawberry jam for breakfast, it was the best. Erhard took me for a walk on the property in the evening to see his cottage, the guys meet here for BBQs and drinks, its really cute but mainly for the boys. A cosy weekend watching TV and doing all the normal things we take for granted at home, but after touring for 3 months it was really enjoyable. It was also ELECTION DAY the following day so everyone had to vote. Very special this time because it is the first time Germany voted in a female Chancellor. The 2nd evening I spent with Magdalena, Erhards sister in her apartment sharing stories and drinking whiskey etc. Another very nice evening.
Back in Landshut and enjoying more of the normal routine life. Long strolls with the Kinderwagen and my beautiful twins. We walk for hours here into town and along the gorgeous Isaar River. We walked to the Friedhof (the cemetery), it is a real meeting place because everyone looks after the graves of their loved ones regularly here. We stop to chat to others and they all want to see my (Enrico & Angeliques) beautiful babies. I visited my aunts grave who sadly passed away in March this year, mums younger sister. Walking thru the old town and the new, all buildings painted in different pastel colours, I couldnt help but remember how homesick my mother always was for this beautiful town of Landshut. And finally I can understand why. With the large and the small river running thru it with ducks everywhere, it truly is an amazing place.
I visited new friends I made here in July. Erna and Edgar invited me to their home in Landshut. A wonderful couple who have included me in so many outings since I met them and their adorable grandson Domonic. He showed me all the games 16 yr olds have in their bedrooms eg play station etc and then suddenly turned around and planted a kiss on my cheek. What a cutie! He couldnt help himself, seems at the ripe old age of 46, Ive still got it.
One day I spent the whole day wandering around town on my own. Ate at the wurstl stand where mum used to go and stopped for a coffee and grapfen to take it all in. Also brought home Leberkas for dinner, bretzen and mohnkuchen (poppyseed cake), quarktaschen etc. I have to taste it all. I shopped till I dropped and even purchased a couple of cookbooks with the traditional Bavarian recipes in it. I needed to send another 9.8 kg parcel home and now after receiving more gifts and attending the Oktoberfest last night I will be off to the PO again on Monday. SEND MORE MONEY! Easy to spend around here because they have all the things I love and things that are meaningful to bring home to my family.
OKTOBERFEST
Mischa picked me up at 5 pm looking gorgeous in her German traditional costume, a dirndl. Men wore lederhosen etc. It all looked great. We had a wonderful evening, packed on the train and lots of laughs. It was a bit like our Easter Show all lit up at night with rides etc. However the main theme was beer. You couldnt help but notice. It was so funny leaving the U Bahn and going up the steps to the main drag like a herd of cows all fresh and ready to party. Whilst on the other side we could see all the people entering the train station and going down the steps, very drunk, stumbling and laughing and singing and mostly happy drunks, looking a little cross-eyed. It was so funny because it was like we were going up to like a washing machine that would swirl us around and then spit us out on the other side like that. All I could think was is that how we will return?
We checked out the side stalls, drank beer in a beer tent, I ate baked camembert with berries and salad. We met loads of very friendly guys, cute in their lederhosen. Mischa ended up with a bagful of phone numbers that should keep her busy for the rest of the year. I ordered weissbier and it was as if the whole place, including Mischa stood still. They just stared at me and I thought, what have I done now? Apparently you dont drink Weissbier at the Oktoberfest, you only drink Wiesenbier. It is kind of like swearing I think. How was I supposed to know. Anyway the waitress brought me what I ordered and I stood out like a sore thumb. They serve it in a different glass. So everyone had this huge stein and I had this very elegant tall narrow glass of Weissbier. You learn something everyday dont you, handy for my next visit anyway.
Then smell of hot almonds was everywhere. We finally gave in to the smell on our way home.
We also went on the ghost train like a couple of kids. I giggled all the way while Mischa hid behind her hands. Then it was time to taste test the sweets, Dampfnudel with vanilla sauce, one of my favourites with a coffee at a stand amongst some cute lederhosen.
The pce de resistance was being invited into the Nymphenburger Wine Tent. Apparently you need to purchase tickets a year in advance to get in and then you wear a bracelet. Sort of for VIPS etc but a contact we had made earlier in the evening said to meet us there, he had connections and would get us in. So we met him at 10 pm at the door, 50 people waiting outside to try to get in with bouncers at the door and he pointed us out and we strolled thru the crowd and walked in. Like movie stars. We dont know who he was but he said what he whispered in the bouncers ear was that I was from Australia and had to experience this. And right he was, inside this tent was packed, loud music, drunks being escorted and thrown out, but mainly very happy lively people. Thousands. So it was the real thing. Just how I imagined the oktoberfest to be and very grateful I got to see it.
7 mins left and so much more to tell so I have to rush now. An overview of the week ahead. Tomorrow I am off to the Niederbayern Shau. On every 2 years, so again I am so lucky to be here at the right time. In the evening my cousin Enrico is taking me to watch a live Ice Hockey game, what a treat and a first for me. Monday its time to pack and head off to Singapore where Bronwyn and Tony are ready and waiting for me. Last stop before I get home.
Converting back to English will be funny. I am already comfortable with telling my jokes in German and speaking to strangers at the bus stops and in the stores etc. Its been fun, what more can I say. Till my next Internet stop.
Auf wiedersehen!
love as always from Gisela
xxx
Back again for a visit with the Ecker family to a nice homely country kitchen. Weather was overcast and very chilly, a great excuse for a lazy weekend indoors. Frau Ecker cooked and cooked while we ate everything she put in front of us. Erhard picked me up and we shopped for fresh plums called swetschken, a particular type so that his mum could cook a very traditional cake for us. We also stopped at the hardware store which was interesting to do all the normal things we do at home. Now, back at the ranch and this homely kitchen with the old wood heated stove that warmed the whole room, no need for electric heaters here. We chatted all day and they also took out old photographs, some of our family included.
Frau Ecker served home made strawberry jam for breakfast, it was the best. Erhard took me for a walk on the property in the evening to see his cottage, the guys meet here for BBQs and drinks, its really cute but mainly for the boys. A cosy weekend watching TV and doing all the normal things we take for granted at home, but after touring for 3 months it was really enjoyable. It was also ELECTION DAY the following day so everyone had to vote. Very special this time because it is the first time Germany voted in a female Chancellor. The 2nd evening I spent with Magdalena, Erhards sister in her apartment sharing stories and drinking whiskey etc. Another very nice evening.
Back in Landshut and enjoying more of the normal routine life. Long strolls with the Kinderwagen and my beautiful twins. We walk for hours here into town and along the gorgeous Isaar River. We walked to the Friedhof (the cemetery), it is a real meeting place because everyone looks after the graves of their loved ones regularly here. We stop to chat to others and they all want to see my (Enrico & Angeliques) beautiful babies. I visited my aunts grave who sadly passed away in March this year, mums younger sister. Walking thru the old town and the new, all buildings painted in different pastel colours, I couldnt help but remember how homesick my mother always was for this beautiful town of Landshut. And finally I can understand why. With the large and the small river running thru it with ducks everywhere, it truly is an amazing place.
I visited new friends I made here in July. Erna and Edgar invited me to their home in Landshut. A wonderful couple who have included me in so many outings since I met them and their adorable grandson Domonic. He showed me all the games 16 yr olds have in their bedrooms eg play station etc and then suddenly turned around and planted a kiss on my cheek. What a cutie! He couldnt help himself, seems at the ripe old age of 46, Ive still got it.
One day I spent the whole day wandering around town on my own. Ate at the wurstl stand where mum used to go and stopped for a coffee and grapfen to take it all in. Also brought home Leberkas for dinner, bretzen and mohnkuchen (poppyseed cake), quarktaschen etc. I have to taste it all. I shopped till I dropped and even purchased a couple of cookbooks with the traditional Bavarian recipes in it. I needed to send another 9.8 kg parcel home and now after receiving more gifts and attending the Oktoberfest last night I will be off to the PO again on Monday. SEND MORE MONEY! Easy to spend around here because they have all the things I love and things that are meaningful to bring home to my family.
OKTOBERFEST
Mischa picked me up at 5 pm looking gorgeous in her German traditional costume, a dirndl. Men wore lederhosen etc. It all looked great. We had a wonderful evening, packed on the train and lots of laughs. It was a bit like our Easter Show all lit up at night with rides etc. However the main theme was beer. You couldnt help but notice. It was so funny leaving the U Bahn and going up the steps to the main drag like a herd of cows all fresh and ready to party. Whilst on the other side we could see all the people entering the train station and going down the steps, very drunk, stumbling and laughing and singing and mostly happy drunks, looking a little cross-eyed. It was so funny because it was like we were going up to like a washing machine that would swirl us around and then spit us out on the other side like that. All I could think was is that how we will return?
We checked out the side stalls, drank beer in a beer tent, I ate baked camembert with berries and salad. We met loads of very friendly guys, cute in their lederhosen. Mischa ended up with a bagful of phone numbers that should keep her busy for the rest of the year. I ordered weissbier and it was as if the whole place, including Mischa stood still. They just stared at me and I thought, what have I done now? Apparently you dont drink Weissbier at the Oktoberfest, you only drink Wiesenbier. It is kind of like swearing I think. How was I supposed to know. Anyway the waitress brought me what I ordered and I stood out like a sore thumb. They serve it in a different glass. So everyone had this huge stein and I had this very elegant tall narrow glass of Weissbier. You learn something everyday dont you, handy for my next visit anyway.
Then smell of hot almonds was everywhere. We finally gave in to the smell on our way home.
We also went on the ghost train like a couple of kids. I giggled all the way while Mischa hid behind her hands. Then it was time to taste test the sweets, Dampfnudel with vanilla sauce, one of my favourites with a coffee at a stand amongst some cute lederhosen.
The pce de resistance was being invited into the Nymphenburger Wine Tent. Apparently you need to purchase tickets a year in advance to get in and then you wear a bracelet. Sort of for VIPS etc but a contact we had made earlier in the evening said to meet us there, he had connections and would get us in. So we met him at 10 pm at the door, 50 people waiting outside to try to get in with bouncers at the door and he pointed us out and we strolled thru the crowd and walked in. Like movie stars. We dont know who he was but he said what he whispered in the bouncers ear was that I was from Australia and had to experience this. And right he was, inside this tent was packed, loud music, drunks being escorted and thrown out, but mainly very happy lively people. Thousands. So it was the real thing. Just how I imagined the oktoberfest to be and very grateful I got to see it.
7 mins left and so much more to tell so I have to rush now. An overview of the week ahead. Tomorrow I am off to the Niederbayern Shau. On every 2 years, so again I am so lucky to be here at the right time. In the evening my cousin Enrico is taking me to watch a live Ice Hockey game, what a treat and a first for me. Monday its time to pack and head off to Singapore where Bronwyn and Tony are ready and waiting for me. Last stop before I get home.
Converting back to English will be funny. I am already comfortable with telling my jokes in German and speaking to strangers at the bus stops and in the stores etc. Its been fun, what more can I say. Till my next Internet stop.
Auf wiedersehen!
love as always from Gisela
xxx
10-24 September SAARBRUCKEN TO LANDSHUT
Grussti!
Fischers tales continued. Where were we, yes in Saarland and the beautiful Saarschleife. A river which is shaped like a ribbon tied in a bow. I sailed on it and then viewed it from up high at a lookout after a long walk thru a forest in the rain. Refreshing. Nicole also showed me the wonderful work she does in a nursing home, amazing special people who work here, they are truly devoted. She took me on a tour, it was her day off but helped out anyway whenever she saw help was needed. It was very interesting and I was very impressed with the care they take of their elderly citizens.
I spent quality time with mums cousin Sepp Kargl, 82 yrs old. We shared many stories till late at night and also shared a bottle of champagne and beer and weisswurst. I hope his daughter Christa doesnt read this or he would be in trouble! Another night he brought out little snapps bottles which we downed while enjoying some lovely old German music and brought out the old photos, its funny to see photos of our family over here, he has so many he has kept of us which mum regularly sent to him, even those from South America. His memory is fantastic and we plan on sharing many more stories over the phone in the future.
Nicole and I also had a nice "girlie" day out shopping in the lovely town of Saar Louis. She also showed me the many sights and landmarks like the gate and stone wall around the city and the river. We also enjoyed our chats till very late in the evening, luckily she didnt have to go to work in the morning. Not only did she spoil me rotten with breakfast waiting every morning but also sent me home with a bagful of presents and food and drink for the train ride back.
So after a train ride to Frankfurt and the S bahn to the airport and a plane ride to Munich and pick up by my cousin Mischa at the airport again, I was back in Landshut.
Last 2 weeks in Germany and I have made the most of them. Shopping, eating and socialising. I feel like I did most of the touristy things so it was time to relax and just enjoy the place. Just live like a local. We dined out on Liver. Visited friends. Walked and walked and walked. I was reunited with the twins Kevin and Mark again. 7 months old now and finally I can tell them apart.
I joined Elses senior citizens group for an outing to Bayreuth. 2 men fought over me all day. Else told Franz when we arrived home that evening that she could easily have married me off that day. I should hang out with seniors more often. The day outing was fabulous. We visited Wagners Theatre, a 4 year waiting list to actually see a show. We stood on the stage and even went down into the orchestra pit. The seniors were really fun to be with, they all pretended to be pavorotti on stage while we danced like Las Vegas girls. We visited a palace and strolled thru the gardens and finally we had a guided tour thru a brewery, got to sample the product at the end. Stopped along the autobahn for a hot mushroom soup, gorgeous and arrived back in Landshut after 11 pm after a morning start of 6 am. We were exhausted.
Out of money again. Must publish the post. To be continued.
love Gisela
Fischers tales continued. Where were we, yes in Saarland and the beautiful Saarschleife. A river which is shaped like a ribbon tied in a bow. I sailed on it and then viewed it from up high at a lookout after a long walk thru a forest in the rain. Refreshing. Nicole also showed me the wonderful work she does in a nursing home, amazing special people who work here, they are truly devoted. She took me on a tour, it was her day off but helped out anyway whenever she saw help was needed. It was very interesting and I was very impressed with the care they take of their elderly citizens.
I spent quality time with mums cousin Sepp Kargl, 82 yrs old. We shared many stories till late at night and also shared a bottle of champagne and beer and weisswurst. I hope his daughter Christa doesnt read this or he would be in trouble! Another night he brought out little snapps bottles which we downed while enjoying some lovely old German music and brought out the old photos, its funny to see photos of our family over here, he has so many he has kept of us which mum regularly sent to him, even those from South America. His memory is fantastic and we plan on sharing many more stories over the phone in the future.
Nicole and I also had a nice "girlie" day out shopping in the lovely town of Saar Louis. She also showed me the many sights and landmarks like the gate and stone wall around the city and the river. We also enjoyed our chats till very late in the evening, luckily she didnt have to go to work in the morning. Not only did she spoil me rotten with breakfast waiting every morning but also sent me home with a bagful of presents and food and drink for the train ride back.
So after a train ride to Frankfurt and the S bahn to the airport and a plane ride to Munich and pick up by my cousin Mischa at the airport again, I was back in Landshut.
Last 2 weeks in Germany and I have made the most of them. Shopping, eating and socialising. I feel like I did most of the touristy things so it was time to relax and just enjoy the place. Just live like a local. We dined out on Liver. Visited friends. Walked and walked and walked. I was reunited with the twins Kevin and Mark again. 7 months old now and finally I can tell them apart.
I joined Elses senior citizens group for an outing to Bayreuth. 2 men fought over me all day. Else told Franz when we arrived home that evening that she could easily have married me off that day. I should hang out with seniors more often. The day outing was fabulous. We visited Wagners Theatre, a 4 year waiting list to actually see a show. We stood on the stage and even went down into the orchestra pit. The seniors were really fun to be with, they all pretended to be pavorotti on stage while we danced like Las Vegas girls. We visited a palace and strolled thru the gardens and finally we had a guided tour thru a brewery, got to sample the product at the end. Stopped along the autobahn for a hot mushroom soup, gorgeous and arrived back in Landshut after 11 pm after a morning start of 6 am. We were exhausted.
Out of money again. Must publish the post. To be continued.
love Gisela
Friday, September 16, 2005
8 - 16 September BLACKFOREST TO OKTOBERFEST
Servus!
GARMISCH and the Lech River - I was fortunate enough to be able to stay 2 nights in a prestigious area for skiiers. I would love to see it in winter when there is snow. This Allgau area specialises in cheese. It is very green here and we keep crossing the Austrian and German border. They also now say this Blackforest (Schwarzwald) region is where LAPTOP MEETS LEDERHOSEN. A mixture of the new and old is seen by solar panels on roof tiles of the traditional old homes in the forest. Most towns specialise in the manufacturing of something. eg Ravensburg known for board games. By the way, petrol prices are $1.49 Euro so dont complain at home. That is about $2.80 Aust. per litre.
LINDAU Last port of call in Bavaria. Had a wonderful lunch break here am Bodensee (Lake Constance). Largest (220 sq miles and 60 kms long) and warmest lake around with many tourist ferries. Not me though, I spent my free time at a nice Gasthaus overlooking the lake, Swiss alps as a backdrop, palm trees and tropical plants, lighthouse and enjoyed 2 weisswurst and a huge beer. I actually asked for a small beer and they said they dont have them. A cute town and kind of an island joined by a narrow bridge to the mainland. Excellent fruit growing area (apples) close to Swiss border where the finest cheeses, Alpenkase, is made. Apparently not so nice to live here though because of the hot and humid climate, mossies at night etc.
Then past Zeppelin area and actually saw one fly overhead past Friederichshafen. Then Birnau, white wine area, another lake and a huge Basilica. We then really entered the Blackforest area and enjoyed some of the most beautiful scenery when we got off the highway passing Neustadt where the conifers start. Many refreshing streams, creeks etc in FREIBURG, a gorgeous university town (where my cousin spent 4 yrs studying) with Schwarzwald all around it. We had time for a spot of shopping and then headed a bit further out of town for our overnight stay at a Health Spa Resort. A very peaceful place, very appropriate for the Blackforest region to be staying out in the wilderness. It had a natural spring where people come to for healing. We were know close to the Austrian, France and 60 kms from Swiss border. Dinner was goulasch and of course Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte for dessert.
The following day we climbed uphill through the Blackforest and stopped at a lookout in the Wald to take it all in. The Bauernhauser (farmers homes) sprinkled sparingly within the Wald. Picture postcard material. You can almost hear them yodelling. Then a huge cuckoo clock house, a shop for tourists which was so cute. We shopped till we dropped in there. Many cuckoo clocks were purchased. I bought one the size of a frige magnet, actually it is a fridge magnet. Cant afford the real thing, a decent one is $1000. The Americans went crazy and had them shipped home. They were beautiful and hand-carved by families to support them over the winter months.
Next stop HEIDELBERG and another Castle. Excellent views of the town from high up in the Castle. The evening was spent back in Frankfurt with a farewell dinner and drinks in the beergarden to celebrate our farewell and end of Globus tour. It was short and sweet and I really grew to like the Americans once they let their guard down, they were all lovely just seemed a bit reserved at first. A huge contrast to the English I spent my time with in Italy but I have to say both were nice in their own way.
So off to Saarbrucken for me the following morning, a 2 1-2 hour train ride. I was greeted by Marcus and Nicole. A family I had never met before. My mothers cousins family I had often heard mum speak fondly of and was so happy to meet them at last. They welcomed me with open arms, I felt truly at home, not unlike my own family in many ways. That evening was Harrys birthday so I sat with approx. 20 Germans that evening over dinner and birthday cake and thought quietly to myself, how funny life is, last night I sat at a table full of Americans in Frankfurt and tonight I am sharing dinner (a feast) with a German family in their home with their friends just like I had belonged there. Amazing! No wonder sometimes I think I am dreaming all of this. I even played pool and table soccer with the kids. Taught them to cheat of course by lifting the table at one end. They kept saying "Gisela, you cant do that" in German of course and they just thought I didnt know the rules. Gee they were cute. We laughed hard that evening. Kevin, Nicoles 13 yr old son is gifted in music. Not only plays the piano and organ beautifully but also teaches drums, is paid to play the Xylophone at weddings etc. He played something special for me everyday I was there. I just melted. All the instruments are up in there attic. Thank you Kevin, I will never forget those magic moments when you played so beautifully for me.
Out of time. Must publish this post before I lose it. Will continue next time but this weekend off to the countryside for a weekend away. Loads more to say so stay tuned till next week when I get to go to the Oktoberfest and my cousin Mischa wants me to wear a Dirndl.
Auf wiedersehen and A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KIRSTIN, love you.
GARMISCH and the Lech River - I was fortunate enough to be able to stay 2 nights in a prestigious area for skiiers. I would love to see it in winter when there is snow. This Allgau area specialises in cheese. It is very green here and we keep crossing the Austrian and German border. They also now say this Blackforest (Schwarzwald) region is where LAPTOP MEETS LEDERHOSEN. A mixture of the new and old is seen by solar panels on roof tiles of the traditional old homes in the forest. Most towns specialise in the manufacturing of something. eg Ravensburg known for board games. By the way, petrol prices are $1.49 Euro so dont complain at home. That is about $2.80 Aust. per litre.
LINDAU Last port of call in Bavaria. Had a wonderful lunch break here am Bodensee (Lake Constance). Largest (220 sq miles and 60 kms long) and warmest lake around with many tourist ferries. Not me though, I spent my free time at a nice Gasthaus overlooking the lake, Swiss alps as a backdrop, palm trees and tropical plants, lighthouse and enjoyed 2 weisswurst and a huge beer. I actually asked for a small beer and they said they dont have them. A cute town and kind of an island joined by a narrow bridge to the mainland. Excellent fruit growing area (apples) close to Swiss border where the finest cheeses, Alpenkase, is made. Apparently not so nice to live here though because of the hot and humid climate, mossies at night etc.
Then past Zeppelin area and actually saw one fly overhead past Friederichshafen. Then Birnau, white wine area, another lake and a huge Basilica. We then really entered the Blackforest area and enjoyed some of the most beautiful scenery when we got off the highway passing Neustadt where the conifers start. Many refreshing streams, creeks etc in FREIBURG, a gorgeous university town (where my cousin spent 4 yrs studying) with Schwarzwald all around it. We had time for a spot of shopping and then headed a bit further out of town for our overnight stay at a Health Spa Resort. A very peaceful place, very appropriate for the Blackforest region to be staying out in the wilderness. It had a natural spring where people come to for healing. We were know close to the Austrian, France and 60 kms from Swiss border. Dinner was goulasch and of course Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte for dessert.
The following day we climbed uphill through the Blackforest and stopped at a lookout in the Wald to take it all in. The Bauernhauser (farmers homes) sprinkled sparingly within the Wald. Picture postcard material. You can almost hear them yodelling. Then a huge cuckoo clock house, a shop for tourists which was so cute. We shopped till we dropped in there. Many cuckoo clocks were purchased. I bought one the size of a frige magnet, actually it is a fridge magnet. Cant afford the real thing, a decent one is $1000. The Americans went crazy and had them shipped home. They were beautiful and hand-carved by families to support them over the winter months.
Next stop HEIDELBERG and another Castle. Excellent views of the town from high up in the Castle. The evening was spent back in Frankfurt with a farewell dinner and drinks in the beergarden to celebrate our farewell and end of Globus tour. It was short and sweet and I really grew to like the Americans once they let their guard down, they were all lovely just seemed a bit reserved at first. A huge contrast to the English I spent my time with in Italy but I have to say both were nice in their own way.
So off to Saarbrucken for me the following morning, a 2 1-2 hour train ride. I was greeted by Marcus and Nicole. A family I had never met before. My mothers cousins family I had often heard mum speak fondly of and was so happy to meet them at last. They welcomed me with open arms, I felt truly at home, not unlike my own family in many ways. That evening was Harrys birthday so I sat with approx. 20 Germans that evening over dinner and birthday cake and thought quietly to myself, how funny life is, last night I sat at a table full of Americans in Frankfurt and tonight I am sharing dinner (a feast) with a German family in their home with their friends just like I had belonged there. Amazing! No wonder sometimes I think I am dreaming all of this. I even played pool and table soccer with the kids. Taught them to cheat of course by lifting the table at one end. They kept saying "Gisela, you cant do that" in German of course and they just thought I didnt know the rules. Gee they were cute. We laughed hard that evening. Kevin, Nicoles 13 yr old son is gifted in music. Not only plays the piano and organ beautifully but also teaches drums, is paid to play the Xylophone at weddings etc. He played something special for me everyday I was there. I just melted. All the instruments are up in there attic. Thank you Kevin, I will never forget those magic moments when you played so beautifully for me.
Out of time. Must publish this post before I lose it. Will continue next time but this weekend off to the countryside for a weekend away. Loads more to say so stay tuned till next week when I get to go to the Oktoberfest and my cousin Mischa wants me to wear a Dirndl.
Auf wiedersehen and A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KIRSTIN, love you.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
30 September BACK IN GERMANY
Guten tag!
From fishing villages back to forests and rivers. My journey from Gozo Island, Malta to Frankfurt was a taxi to ferry, ferry crossing to Malta mainland, taxi to airport, plane to Frankfurt, taxi to my hotel. All in a day.
FRANKFURT I enjoyed my Free day here, visited 3 churches and attended an organ recital in one of them, even stayed for the tea & chat afterwards. Wandered around the old and the new town. They have trams and lots of bridges along the Main River. I shopped and then stopped for lunch in the City Beer Garden, complete with 2 man band. Ate Kassler ripperl, sauerkraut and beer. A Bosnian woman approached me, and in German began telling me about my past, very true and specific stuff. Then she began telling me my future, and it was all good news. Hope she is right.
My room was on the 5th flr overlooking nothing but the tops of trees in the State Forest, a wonderful sight. Beds have been so comfortable throughout Germany with eiderdown dooners just like mum always had. For dinner all the Globus tour passengers met and this time, all but one couple are AMERICAN, plus one token Aussie couple and me. Tour guide is Barbara from Munich. She is good and very knowledgable.
Next day began with a 2 hour cruise on the Rhine which began near Rudesheim and ended at the Lorelei Cliff. Lorelei means "luring rock" by the way. However the locals tell the tale that the seamen always crashed boats and drowned here after seeing the beautiful rock which looked like a woman with long hair. The effect of sailors having been away too long at sea.
Drove past Bonn and then Remagen where the ruins of the tower where American troops breached Hitlers west wall. Next stop COLOGNE overnight. Bought 4711 perfume, a must when in Koln. Went to the cathedral where the new Pope stood only a few weeks ago to address 100,000 young people from all countries. Some greeted him by walking into the water because he came by boat along the Rhine. This motel was the best, leather chairs, gorgeous cushions and huge bed. Dinner was along the same lines as the room, very good. Schnitzel & red cabbage. I slept like a baby.
Election time is on in Germany, posters in every town. First time ever a woman is leading in the polls. The current Chancellor has been married 4 times which is why they say he drives an Audi, 4 rings, get it?
PIED PIPER territory. Visited Hamelin, the Ratcatchers House and alley where the story took place. A really cute town.
Past Prince Carolines husbands castle Prince Ernst, near Hildesheim. Very small town but nice country. We passed lots of forest and saw deer. Past the first Checkpoint watchtowers, now no longer in use since the reunification of East and West Germany.
BERLIN Statistics pop. 3-4 million (Germany has 80 million all up), 120,000 uni students, 16% unemployment. 7 Nobel prize winners from these universities. So much history here and a lively city. A city tour covered Charlottenburg, the 1st of many palaces and the Pergamon Museum. Our motel was wonderful and included free use of the internet. However I was too busy. Normally the motels charge 10 Euros, approx $20 Aust. I finally met my cousin Uwe here for the 1st time ever. He is very handsome. He and his lovely family (wife Andreas and delightful 9 yr old daughter Louisa) picked me up from the hotel at 3 pm. We had hot chocolate in a very special chocolate shop and then drove to Potsdam where the famous Sanc Souci Palace and gardens are. They have an italian feel about them which is the look the royals were after. We strolled in the gardens and around lakes all afternoon and chatted and generally caught up with each other. Swapping the occasional stories about our fathers who were brothers. Louisa was so sweet I just wanted to take her back to Australia with me. Then Uwe found a nice restaurant by the water where we could sit outside and continue this magic day with dinner. I had a typical Berlin meal of Liver and onions, it was really good. We all got on really well and I will treasure these memories forever. Thank you Uwe, Andreas and Louisa for showing me some of your beautiful city.
Breakfast buffets have been to die for. Erdbeer quark, herring, camenbert, smoked salmon and Leberkas etc. Left Berlin and saw nothing but Grunwald (forest). Many SMART cars around (invented by Swiss swatch watch guy but Mercedes now manufacture them). Also TRABANT, little 2 stroke cars.
We stopped at places which Barbara calls technical stops or change of fluid stops along the highway. We have to pay 50 cents for the toilets and often the men have to queue as well. Finally no discrimination in the toilet department. Tourists can find WC signs anywhere, we are getting really good at spotting them. At these petrol stations, they sell marinated gherkins, lots of varieties from Spreewald (local forest). The Americans loved them. Some with garlic, herbs, mustard, pepper or horseradish etc. Huge gherkins. We listened to Bach music along the way and it is quite cosy on the coach.
LEIPZIG lunch stop and visited churches with magnificent stained glass windows, even had Bachs head on one of them, Thomaskirche. This church has a 63 degree angle sloping roof. This town is also the home of Mendelsohn. Next we saw windmills for electricity, huge ones and hundreds along the freeway. Then it began to get hilly as we crossed into Bavarian territory.
Passed a town called BAYREUTH pop. 20,000 (I will be visiting on 15 Sept with my aunt). Wagner fell in love with this place so King Ludwig II built him an opera here and the Wagner festival is held here every year, tickets sold for $1000 Euro.
NURNBERG Huge soccer ball in main square advertising 2006 World Soccer Cup. You could go inside the ball and play a virtual game of soccer, kicking etc. This cute old town complete with towers, moat and a wall around it, was fun for shopping. Known for Lebkuchen (gingerbread without the ginger), christmas decorations sold, german dolls and in particular the Hummel dolls. On to the Hilton Nurnberg overnight. Wurstl & sauerkraut for dinner and then I decided what better place for a girl to pamper herself. Evening was spent with a long bath using every foam and cream the motel provided. Then all clean and cosy I pranced around my room wearing my Hilton slippers. Good stay at home night.
ROTHENBERG Everyone just loved this town and agreed that 3 hours was just not enough. It was charming and shoppers paradise. More dolls and beautifully decorated shop windows and christmas shops. It is a magical place for young and old.
ROMANTIC ROAD passing cute little towns. Mainly hilly but did pass a huge flat area where meteorite struck many years ago.
MUNICH and the Sheraton hotel, 7th floor, corner room with views both sides. Great dinner again, pepper steak everyone enjoyed it just for a change and Bavarian Bom for desert. Huge slabs of 3 flavoured ice cream like a bomb alaska. 8 pm off to the Hofbrauhaus to drink one litre of beer and sing and watch the entertainment on stage, band with traditional dancing (Schuhplatten) & yodelling. Even played one song with cowbells. We linked arms and sang along with "trink, trink, bruderlein trink....." and "eins, zwei, gsufer".
City tour next morning. King Maximillian & Ludwigs Nymphenburg Palace. Mercedes showroom with all cars in silver, every type. There are 51 museums and 70 theatres. A very lively city pop 2 million. approx. Skyscrapers are forbidden here, so as not to spoil the view of the Alps. What a top idea! Olympic Stadium, Roentgens private residence. Cafes, restaurants and we had 3 hours free to wander around. Watched Glockenspiel at 12 noon in Marienplatz and then posted my 2nd parcel home, this one weighing in at 4.8 kg. Pinakotek Museum to see art from 1600s, amazing, Durers, Rembrandts, Battistes. The Victoria Markets were a dream for food lovers. Berries of every variety, Johannesberren, Himmberren etc. I found a great seafood spot and ate a delicious crusty roll with Matjes Herring and loads of raw onion. Feet were sore again that night.
Left Munich at 4 pm, once again feeling that more days here would have been wonderful but then again, I shall be returning. We joined the Freeway and many of the Americans giggled every time we passed signs saying AUSFAHRT, which was quite often, because it means EXIT. We crossed the Donau River which is the Danube, and by the way, it isnt blue. More forests as we headed south to GARMISCH. Mountains began appearing in the background, including the famous ZUGSPITZE. Landscape breathtaking, real fairytale stuff. Appropriately King Ludwigs LINDERHOF CASTLE is in this region and I was in heaven here. It was his hunting lodge. We did a guided tour quite late and it was fully furnished. I loved every room, the gold, the 3 dimensional paintings on ceilings and walls with cupids etc. His bed had curtains of ermine (white with black spots), he had to have the best fur a royal could have. Gardens were equally beautiful but my favourite of all was the GROTTO. We had to climb further up the hill for 10 mins to get to it. Coloured lights on stalagtites and mites as you entered the cave and a beautiful large swimming pond inside with a spectacular swan shaped boat and cupid on it. He was a dreamer, like me, and he loved this spot. I wish I had a grotto in my house. Reminded me a bit of Hugh Hefners.
Trivia - did you know that he was gay (not that there is anything wrong with that), but apparently he was madly in love with Wagner and spent lots of money on him. Also withdrew after Wagner married a woman. We played Wagner CDs on the coach.
GARMISCH staying at Hotel Obermuhle. This is a fabulous skiing resort and very nice chalet style hotel. Mountains as a backdrop when out on my balcony. Edelweiss and Heidi country. The big old white farm houses with the wooden stable attached and carved dark brown wooden balconies with love hearts carved in them and full of colourful geraniums in window boxes. Postcard material. Shops sell local wood carved items and cuckoo clocks. Fresh mountain air to start the next morning for a drive across the Austrian border (Tirol) for a short while and then back into Germany to visit Ludwigs other Castle, Neuschwanstein. It means New Swan Stone and features many swans in statues and paintings. It was huge and Walt Disney like. We had top weather and we had to do a lot of climbing, some couldnt even come along so they stayed in town to shop. Many steps and a lot of downhill steep bushwalking. Some of the Germans brought stocks (walking sticks) with them and they walked cross country down steep slopes whereas we stuck to the main path. I loved it all. A top day! We had lunch in a beergarden overlooking the castle on the hill. I had liver dumplings and beer. We played lively Bavarian "oompah" music to sing along to on our way to Oberammergau (the Passion play village) for more shopping of wooden carvings, hummel dolls, beer steins etc. I didnt purchase anything, but enjoyed seeing all these things that I grew up with in my parents home.
So in case some of you have been waiting for this next update, hopefully you can appreciate from the above that I have been extremely busy, and when I have had time off, I needed it. So thanks again for your emails, I enjoy the contact and am happy that you are able to come along on this journey with me. Day 66 of 90.
We are so lucky with the weather. It is really quite hot and only 2 weeks ago you couldnt come here, it was all flooded.
love Gisela xxx
From fishing villages back to forests and rivers. My journey from Gozo Island, Malta to Frankfurt was a taxi to ferry, ferry crossing to Malta mainland, taxi to airport, plane to Frankfurt, taxi to my hotel. All in a day.
FRANKFURT I enjoyed my Free day here, visited 3 churches and attended an organ recital in one of them, even stayed for the tea & chat afterwards. Wandered around the old and the new town. They have trams and lots of bridges along the Main River. I shopped and then stopped for lunch in the City Beer Garden, complete with 2 man band. Ate Kassler ripperl, sauerkraut and beer. A Bosnian woman approached me, and in German began telling me about my past, very true and specific stuff. Then she began telling me my future, and it was all good news. Hope she is right.
My room was on the 5th flr overlooking nothing but the tops of trees in the State Forest, a wonderful sight. Beds have been so comfortable throughout Germany with eiderdown dooners just like mum always had. For dinner all the Globus tour passengers met and this time, all but one couple are AMERICAN, plus one token Aussie couple and me. Tour guide is Barbara from Munich. She is good and very knowledgable.
Next day began with a 2 hour cruise on the Rhine which began near Rudesheim and ended at the Lorelei Cliff. Lorelei means "luring rock" by the way. However the locals tell the tale that the seamen always crashed boats and drowned here after seeing the beautiful rock which looked like a woman with long hair. The effect of sailors having been away too long at sea.
Drove past Bonn and then Remagen where the ruins of the tower where American troops breached Hitlers west wall. Next stop COLOGNE overnight. Bought 4711 perfume, a must when in Koln. Went to the cathedral where the new Pope stood only a few weeks ago to address 100,000 young people from all countries. Some greeted him by walking into the water because he came by boat along the Rhine. This motel was the best, leather chairs, gorgeous cushions and huge bed. Dinner was along the same lines as the room, very good. Schnitzel & red cabbage. I slept like a baby.
Election time is on in Germany, posters in every town. First time ever a woman is leading in the polls. The current Chancellor has been married 4 times which is why they say he drives an Audi, 4 rings, get it?
PIED PIPER territory. Visited Hamelin, the Ratcatchers House and alley where the story took place. A really cute town.
Past Prince Carolines husbands castle Prince Ernst, near Hildesheim. Very small town but nice country. We passed lots of forest and saw deer. Past the first Checkpoint watchtowers, now no longer in use since the reunification of East and West Germany.
BERLIN Statistics pop. 3-4 million (Germany has 80 million all up), 120,000 uni students, 16% unemployment. 7 Nobel prize winners from these universities. So much history here and a lively city. A city tour covered Charlottenburg, the 1st of many palaces and the Pergamon Museum. Our motel was wonderful and included free use of the internet. However I was too busy. Normally the motels charge 10 Euros, approx $20 Aust. I finally met my cousin Uwe here for the 1st time ever. He is very handsome. He and his lovely family (wife Andreas and delightful 9 yr old daughter Louisa) picked me up from the hotel at 3 pm. We had hot chocolate in a very special chocolate shop and then drove to Potsdam where the famous Sanc Souci Palace and gardens are. They have an italian feel about them which is the look the royals were after. We strolled in the gardens and around lakes all afternoon and chatted and generally caught up with each other. Swapping the occasional stories about our fathers who were brothers. Louisa was so sweet I just wanted to take her back to Australia with me. Then Uwe found a nice restaurant by the water where we could sit outside and continue this magic day with dinner. I had a typical Berlin meal of Liver and onions, it was really good. We all got on really well and I will treasure these memories forever. Thank you Uwe, Andreas and Louisa for showing me some of your beautiful city.
Breakfast buffets have been to die for. Erdbeer quark, herring, camenbert, smoked salmon and Leberkas etc. Left Berlin and saw nothing but Grunwald (forest). Many SMART cars around (invented by Swiss swatch watch guy but Mercedes now manufacture them). Also TRABANT, little 2 stroke cars.
We stopped at places which Barbara calls technical stops or change of fluid stops along the highway. We have to pay 50 cents for the toilets and often the men have to queue as well. Finally no discrimination in the toilet department. Tourists can find WC signs anywhere, we are getting really good at spotting them. At these petrol stations, they sell marinated gherkins, lots of varieties from Spreewald (local forest). The Americans loved them. Some with garlic, herbs, mustard, pepper or horseradish etc. Huge gherkins. We listened to Bach music along the way and it is quite cosy on the coach.
LEIPZIG lunch stop and visited churches with magnificent stained glass windows, even had Bachs head on one of them, Thomaskirche. This church has a 63 degree angle sloping roof. This town is also the home of Mendelsohn. Next we saw windmills for electricity, huge ones and hundreds along the freeway. Then it began to get hilly as we crossed into Bavarian territory.
Passed a town called BAYREUTH pop. 20,000 (I will be visiting on 15 Sept with my aunt). Wagner fell in love with this place so King Ludwig II built him an opera here and the Wagner festival is held here every year, tickets sold for $1000 Euro.
NURNBERG Huge soccer ball in main square advertising 2006 World Soccer Cup. You could go inside the ball and play a virtual game of soccer, kicking etc. This cute old town complete with towers, moat and a wall around it, was fun for shopping. Known for Lebkuchen (gingerbread without the ginger), christmas decorations sold, german dolls and in particular the Hummel dolls. On to the Hilton Nurnberg overnight. Wurstl & sauerkraut for dinner and then I decided what better place for a girl to pamper herself. Evening was spent with a long bath using every foam and cream the motel provided. Then all clean and cosy I pranced around my room wearing my Hilton slippers. Good stay at home night.
ROTHENBERG Everyone just loved this town and agreed that 3 hours was just not enough. It was charming and shoppers paradise. More dolls and beautifully decorated shop windows and christmas shops. It is a magical place for young and old.
ROMANTIC ROAD passing cute little towns. Mainly hilly but did pass a huge flat area where meteorite struck many years ago.
MUNICH and the Sheraton hotel, 7th floor, corner room with views both sides. Great dinner again, pepper steak everyone enjoyed it just for a change and Bavarian Bom for desert. Huge slabs of 3 flavoured ice cream like a bomb alaska. 8 pm off to the Hofbrauhaus to drink one litre of beer and sing and watch the entertainment on stage, band with traditional dancing (Schuhplatten) & yodelling. Even played one song with cowbells. We linked arms and sang along with "trink, trink, bruderlein trink....." and "eins, zwei, gsufer".
City tour next morning. King Maximillian & Ludwigs Nymphenburg Palace. Mercedes showroom with all cars in silver, every type. There are 51 museums and 70 theatres. A very lively city pop 2 million. approx. Skyscrapers are forbidden here, so as not to spoil the view of the Alps. What a top idea! Olympic Stadium, Roentgens private residence. Cafes, restaurants and we had 3 hours free to wander around. Watched Glockenspiel at 12 noon in Marienplatz and then posted my 2nd parcel home, this one weighing in at 4.8 kg. Pinakotek Museum to see art from 1600s, amazing, Durers, Rembrandts, Battistes. The Victoria Markets were a dream for food lovers. Berries of every variety, Johannesberren, Himmberren etc. I found a great seafood spot and ate a delicious crusty roll with Matjes Herring and loads of raw onion. Feet were sore again that night.
Left Munich at 4 pm, once again feeling that more days here would have been wonderful but then again, I shall be returning. We joined the Freeway and many of the Americans giggled every time we passed signs saying AUSFAHRT, which was quite often, because it means EXIT. We crossed the Donau River which is the Danube, and by the way, it isnt blue. More forests as we headed south to GARMISCH. Mountains began appearing in the background, including the famous ZUGSPITZE. Landscape breathtaking, real fairytale stuff. Appropriately King Ludwigs LINDERHOF CASTLE is in this region and I was in heaven here. It was his hunting lodge. We did a guided tour quite late and it was fully furnished. I loved every room, the gold, the 3 dimensional paintings on ceilings and walls with cupids etc. His bed had curtains of ermine (white with black spots), he had to have the best fur a royal could have. Gardens were equally beautiful but my favourite of all was the GROTTO. We had to climb further up the hill for 10 mins to get to it. Coloured lights on stalagtites and mites as you entered the cave and a beautiful large swimming pond inside with a spectacular swan shaped boat and cupid on it. He was a dreamer, like me, and he loved this spot. I wish I had a grotto in my house. Reminded me a bit of Hugh Hefners.
Trivia - did you know that he was gay (not that there is anything wrong with that), but apparently he was madly in love with Wagner and spent lots of money on him. Also withdrew after Wagner married a woman. We played Wagner CDs on the coach.
GARMISCH staying at Hotel Obermuhle. This is a fabulous skiing resort and very nice chalet style hotel. Mountains as a backdrop when out on my balcony. Edelweiss and Heidi country. The big old white farm houses with the wooden stable attached and carved dark brown wooden balconies with love hearts carved in them and full of colourful geraniums in window boxes. Postcard material. Shops sell local wood carved items and cuckoo clocks. Fresh mountain air to start the next morning for a drive across the Austrian border (Tirol) for a short while and then back into Germany to visit Ludwigs other Castle, Neuschwanstein. It means New Swan Stone and features many swans in statues and paintings. It was huge and Walt Disney like. We had top weather and we had to do a lot of climbing, some couldnt even come along so they stayed in town to shop. Many steps and a lot of downhill steep bushwalking. Some of the Germans brought stocks (walking sticks) with them and they walked cross country down steep slopes whereas we stuck to the main path. I loved it all. A top day! We had lunch in a beergarden overlooking the castle on the hill. I had liver dumplings and beer. We played lively Bavarian "oompah" music to sing along to on our way to Oberammergau (the Passion play village) for more shopping of wooden carvings, hummel dolls, beer steins etc. I didnt purchase anything, but enjoyed seeing all these things that I grew up with in my parents home.
So in case some of you have been waiting for this next update, hopefully you can appreciate from the above that I have been extremely busy, and when I have had time off, I needed it. So thanks again for your emails, I enjoy the contact and am happy that you are able to come along on this journey with me. Day 66 of 90.
We are so lucky with the weather. It is really quite hot and only 2 weeks ago you couldnt come here, it was all flooded.
love Gisela xxx
