Venturing out

So what if it's raining (lightly), cold, and there's snow on the mountains? Let's go exploring!

We did--on foot--and found that we can probably make it from the base into Garmisch in about 45 minutes--if we don't stop to use our trusty dictionaries to figure out what the signs say. That takes a bit longer. Empty building; sign with 2 words (zu verbieten) and phone number; wonder if it means "For Rent." It does! And so it went.

I was amazed at the price of gas: 1.41 euros (about $1.73)! Then Bob reminded me that it's per liter--which makes it about $5.34/gallon. Now I'm amazed in a different direction--and glad we opted not to drive around!

Having heated our home in Virginia with a woodstove for the past 5 years (and the 8 years we lived in Pine Mountain Club, CA), we are attracted to woodpiles, for some reason. The Germans have the neatest way of stacking wood--neat, precise; almost a work of art!

We had our first experience in a German restaurant, Zu Wildschutze (wild game hunter). Some of the servers wore traditional Bavarian costumes (Tracht) and every table had a "reserved" sign on it. We thought it was for a party but the server checked his list and the table we wanted was reserved for 5:30-8 pm. Since we were there at 3, it was open for us. (No need to wait to be seated in German restaurants; just pick any table that is free.)

One couple from northern Germany told us that you get good food anywhere you eat in Bayern (Bavaria; southern Germany, where we are). We certainly did. I ate Nudlen (noodles) made from potatoes with bacon (not a shred of fat) in a dark beer sauce. Bob had Rostscheinwursts (bratwurst) with saurkraut (the best we've ever had). My side salad was interesting: corn, kidney beans, slightly pickled cucumbers, radishes, and carrots in the bottom of a bowl with large lettuce leaves on top. The waitress brought the bill to the table and waited while we paid (in cash--no credit cards). We had been told there is no tipping in Germany so we didn't. But based on the link and several other websites, I think we might have goofed....

Since we were stuffed and didn't want to drink coffee late in the day, we postponed our Kaffee and Kuchen experience. But we did take a note of all the bakeries and coffee shops on the way home--and the time it would take to walk there from the base. We will return--or perhaps call Zotz to deliver?! (Note female legs on right of cab; male legs were on the left!)

It was Sunday afternoon and many of the shops were closed--like a bicycle shop that has been in business for 100 years; there was a 1910 bike in the window as evidence!

Sunday afternoons are also a time for little old ladies (and a few gentlemen) to dress up and stroll around seeing the sights. Very cute.