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)...
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