On the way to Ruette...

This train is a bit more old than the previous two that we've been on (I.C.E.), but it still is pleasant. The scenery has turned to much snow and breathtaking views of mountains, trees, and cute German towns.

My confidence in using broken German is up as I was able to order a cup of coffee on my own (how manly of me:)

Since we may not get to Ruette in time to tour a castle, we may get off in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GP) and walk around a bit...

***

In our brief time in GP, we found a cute little village/resort. Rick Steve's makes no mention of it, but it is a wonderful little town. We dropped our heavy bags off in a locker and then went to the bathroom. Who'd have thought we'd need to pay 50 cents (Euro cents, that is...alas, someone came out while we went in and we didn't have to pay!!)! We walked from the bahnhoff into town, perhaps to find an open Apotheke (to no avail---of course, it is, afterall Christmas eve). We came across the remnant of the local Christmas market. Walking down the pedestrian walkway, we were able to get our picture taken, as well as pick up a few post cards. We also found an open shop where we bought two wonderful looking oranges (who would have thought in the dead of winter we could find such luscious fruit!)

We found (heard) a place playing music and I was able to buy a cup of Gluhwein mit schuss (with a shot). As we stood there, Katie thought how much this was how she pictured our trip would be (Germany in the winter).


Many of the buildings had gorgeous paintings on them. Many depicted biblical scenes intermixed with local folklore.

We made our way from the gluhwein hut down the road to a church whose bells were ringing just like in the church scene of The Sound of Music. It was wondrously LOUD---especially when the deep, bass bells entered into the musical melody.

We walked for a while, seeing a sign for the Bahnhoff, but went beyond it for about 1/2 a mile. My courage was high and I asked a woman walking a dog, "Entschuldigen...Wo ist der Bahnhoff?" She barked off something while pointing. In the midst, we heard "...rechts..." We said "Danke," and started chatting in English. She heard us and repeated to go to the flash light and take a right. We thanked her again and walked back to the station (maybe a mile or so). We then got our stuff from the locker, went to the correct track #4, only to hear an announcement saying something about "fier," and "Ruette." All of the people sans one lady rushed down the stairs leaving KT and I and said lady. After a minute of debate, we decided we must rush to track #2 as well.

We are now traveling on a fairly nice train to Ruette. The snow is abundant and mountains pretty with the snow covered branches of thousands of cedars. It's already getting dark and it's only 4:45! Katie is trying to take a picture through the window of a cute little town, but we're moving too fast. Oh well. (lermoos?)

My cold seems to be getting better, whereas KT's is getting worse. Hopefully we'll find a pharmacy to buy more medicine for her (we're limited on Tylenol Cold & Sinus)...

Day 2---Christmas Eve

This morning we awoke at 5:50 AM to Katie's inability to breathe through her nose. It was so stopped up that she feared she would get hemorrhoids from blowing so hard. I got up and got her some Tylenol Cold and Sinus and it helped. We fell back asleep and got up around 8.

After Showering and watching German/English lounge-singing Christmas songs on the TV, we went to Breakfast at Der Beck for a chocolate croissant and Grüss something or another, coffee and Sprite (no ice). We went back to the room, ate, then to the grocery store for some food. Oh, we also got rolls at Der Beck.

Here is what we learned at the grocery store:

1) Mineral water does not mean it is not carbonated (this is the 2nd time I’ve done this---1st time in France when I was 15)
2) Cheese is much more difficult to decipher when in a different language
3) You have to buy the whole crate of apples, not just 2.
4) “Ich Keine sprecht Deutch” helps after the cashier gives you a long winded speech about said apples.
5) No grocery bags to carry your stuff (Katie knew this and warned me prior to going in).

We looked at the time and realized we had less than 30 minutes to check out, get to the rail station and board our train. However, we decided for a last ditch effort to find some apples. After all, last night there were hundreds of market tents and many of them had fresh fruit. After walking 5 minutes, we found our search was "fruitless," and decided to huff it back to the hotel. We did, however, stop quickly and get Lebkuchen (gingerbread); the shop being right outside our hotel.

The clock was ticking against us, we were good to have packed before breakfast. We made our way down 3 flights of stairs, fully loaded. Katie waited outside whilst I paid the bill.

There was a line to check out of the hotel. I was 3rd (time: 10:15 and the train leaves at 10:29) in line. The 1st guy came and went quickly. The 2nd guy paid with his credit card, signed it, then realized he paide too much. (They were speaking in English with an accent, so I assume they were something other than German/Austrian). The lady checking us out had to call the credit card company, cancel the rate, re-enter it at the lower rate and have him sign again. All of this took 3 to 4 precious minutes. It was not my turn, and I told her (as the previous guy should have) that we had no breakfast, stayed one night and I was done within a minute. Time: 10:20.

We had 9 minutes to make it to our track.

We made it with 2 to 3 minutes to spare. It was a great "speed walk" and I'm proud Katie moved so fast. It probably would have taken (at normal walking speeds) 10 minutes to walk there normally. That marathon training we did really paid off!

We are now speeding toward Munich through the scenic German country side. A layer of snow covers the rolling hills and farmlands. It looks like Katie may get her white Christmas afterall. We sit next to a an old German couple who appear well into their ways. I wonder what their story is....

First Day

Nurnberg, 12/23/05

After a long day, we are finally winding down. We checked into our hotel room, then immediately went down to the Hauptmarkt for Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market). It's taken me a while to adjust to this culture---not knowing the language, limited knowledge on customs---but I think I am getting there. Katie had to go order me a "boot of warm wine (Gluhwein).

After walking around a bit, we had a bite to eat (me soup and wine, KT hot chocolate and bratwurst). We came back for a nap, after a few hourse, we went back out , went to the train station to get directions for tomorrow's trip, then walked down to the market again. We watched a brass band play several christmas caroles, then we walked up to the castle, (at night, mind you) walked around it, then back through the old town to find dinner.

After an hour of walking, we ended up right near the hotel at a place called BRATWUSTGLOCKLEIN. Food was good (I had 6 mini brats, German Potato Salad, Katie had grilled pork).

Now, after a long day, I'm writing while watching "Jesus Christ, Superstar" and Katie is quietly snoring next to me....