Non stop

Today is the first day we are taking it a bit easy. We arrived last Wednesday, and since then, we have done what we came to do, visit the Christmas Markets.

Beautiful ornaments

The first day, we spent just getting familiar with the Stuttgart Weihnachtsmarkt (that is, not photographing or buying).  Our friend Bernd took us on a 'tour' and to visit Meriam, who has a market stall and sells beautiful ornaments. We also had our first taste of Gluehwein, hot sweet red wine with spices - warms the cockles of your heart, necessary since it was freezing out.

Gluehwein and sausage on a roll

That same evening, Bernd took us to an Indian restaurant where me met some of his friends, Barbara, her husband and sister Ruth - great food in pleasant company. Unfortunately, Patricia was falling asleep at the table, so we left a bit earlier than they did.
During the day on Thursday and into the evening, we went back to the market to photograph, buy ornaments and other gifts and drink Gluehwein; then Berrnd talked us into eating at a favorite Spanish restaurant. At this point, we are still pretty knocked around from the flight, but holding out.
Friday, since Bernd was leaving for South Africa, we took off early heading toward Nuremberg to see the oldest Christmas Market, or so they say.  We stayed with Detlef and Gaby just outside the city and were again treated like royalty, as we are everywhere.
We took the train into Nuremberg and spent the afternoon and into the evening scouting around the market, eating sausages and sauerkraut on a bun and drinking Gleuhwein. On the way back to Detlef's this evening, we got a special treat: snow fell; it was very romantic and cold.

We don't get to do this very often, if ever, at home.

As usual, Patricia is in great shape taking a ton of pictures to provide great memories for when we get home.

Saturday morning, we are on the road again, heading toward Gerda and Albert's in Kirchheim unter Teck, but first we had to see Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a medievel town, with the citywalls still intact and some impressive motifs for Patricia. Did I mention Gluehwein and sausage sandwich?

We walked through cobblestone streets, churches and shops until dark and then drove the rest of the way to our stay for the night.

Sunday, I started my morning routine early, like every morning, heading to a bakery to get my breadrolls, a must. Patricia went out to photograph in the town while I talked about old times and friends and helped prepare lunch for friends I have not seen for many years.

Rathaus (City Hall) in Kirchheim

Gerda cooked up a storm and also made me a Linzertorte, my favorite cake.  Friends arrived at noon.

Albert, Michael & Gerda

We all had too much to eat, so in typical German style, we went for a long walk, so we could return and have our second round of desserts.  I am sad to say that we did not use more than 10% of the calories we ate.

Later we sat around and Martin and Thomas played instruments, and we sang Christmas songs, sort of.

Michael, Inge & Martina singing

On the road again on Monday, we headed for Freiburg, the hometown of my childhood. It had warmed to about 40 degrees, very comfortable after the freezing temperatures.  Since it was such a clear nice day, we took the Schwarzwald Hochstrasse and stopped for lunch in Tuebingen, a very picturesque, intimate University city.  Then, on the road again toward Freiburg, a mysterious shape appeared on a mountain in front of us.  It was a fairytale castle.

Burg Hohenzollern

Arriving at night in Freiburg, I got hopelessly lost and had to stop and let my cousin Johannes pick us up, as there was no way I could find my way out, and Heidie and Lara were waiting with dinner ready for us.
This first day back in Freiburg, we are taking it easy, which gives me time to blog and have Patricia correct my writing.
Tonight we go to the market here, and did I mention Gluehwein.