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.
# posted by Gisela @ 8:12 AM 
