Prezzies. :)

I have a wonderful husband! Besides all the obvious reasons that I love him, he sends me presents from wherever he goes. (yes, I got stuff from Iraq and some other places)

Russian nesting dolls from one of the 'stans(formerly of the USSR). I can't rmember which one he went through on the way to his final destination. LOL



My new slippers from a different 'stan. These were actually a gag gift for Cory from one of the other guys. But the slippers didn't fit him, so he sent them to me. I'm a lucky, lucky girl. ;) They're actually comfortable and I've been wearing them. LOL I know they look like they're on the wrong feet, but when I switch them, they look the exact same. LOL



Oil paintings from Afghanistan...aren't they beautiful?



I also got a coffee mug w/ his base name on it. I'm not posting that one. But I love it.

Garmisch

After our retreat classes on Friday morning, we headed into Garmisch. I was looking for fun things for the boys to do. I found this "toboggan" ride.






Right next was the trampoline:




And right next to that was the ski jump from the 1936 Olympic winter games. We rode the gondola to the top:






At the top is a small restaurant and bed and breakfast. I'd love to stay there for a night or so.







On Sat, after our classes we headed into Garmisch. It was raining, many of the shops were closed by the time we got there. But we bought new umbrellas...all in different colors. We were like a rainbow!! LOL YOu'll also notice the paintings on the buildings. They're everywhere in Garmisch. From the city's website: Experience the cultural life of Garmisch-Partenkirchen through the simple pleasures of talking a walk through the streets and alleys of the town historically fused together by two alpine villages. The age-old tradition of mural fresco painting on many building façades adorn the streets, making each step a unique experience. Stories unfold one by one, telling tales of yore and impressing local color on the observant observer. Even without a guidebook, every visitor can imagine what the „Bräustuberl“ in Garmisch is and has been since 1933.. The façade of the venerable building has shown strong and hearty mountain farmers and other local characters drinking the unmistakable golden brew for over half a century. Heinrich Bickel, Garmisch-Partenkirchen’s most famous fresco painter, depicted the well-known brewery tableau along with numerous other murals. The façade of the “Frauendorfer” tavern in Partenkirchen’s historic Ludwig Street boasts the traditional wedding of a farming couple - complete with the person in charge of the nuptials and a colorful wedding party. By the way, there are several theories about the origins of the local expression “Lüftlmalerei,“ which translates into something like “little air painting.” One of them is that since the artist’s work takes place up in the air, the expression is self-explanatory. In any case, mural painting was considered a sign of wealth and prosperity in former times. For that reason it is no wonder that one masterfully painted façade after the other decorate the historic Ludwigstraße - the street was originally an important commerce route. Even the Romans regularly moved their military platoons up past today’s town of Mittenwald through Partenkirchen, proving this market community’s long standing history of being “in the hub” of trade.

Wait! Where's the yellow umbrella??? LOL






Actually this is the lobby of our hotel.



On Sunday, we headed home. We will definitely go back to the Garmisch area. There is a lot more to see and do and it's just beautiful there!

Edelweiss, Edelweiss....

We were lucky that our unit's spouses were invited on a chaplain's retreat in Garmisch. I figured that we could manage to do a few things while also attending the classes. (Location, location, location....;) So, I signed us up! Another spouse and her baby girl rode w/ us. And another and her mom convoyed w/ us. We decided to stop at Neuschwanstein Castle along the way. It is located in the Bavarian Alps and is the inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella's castle. It was never completed b/c of King Ludwig's death.





It took about 25 minutes, but we opted to walk up to the castle instead of taking a horse and carriage ride. The walk was all uphill, but it wasn't bad at all. And the day was beautiful and the scenery gorgeous. We actually enjoyed it. Not so much the fly-covered horse patties.... LOL



View from one of the upper floor windows



Throne Room



King's Bedroom (scenes of "Tristan and Isolde" painted on the walls...the walls all through the castle have scenes from Wagner's works)





On the way back down



We hopped in the car for the drive to
Edelweiss, which is a DOD owned lodge and resort only opened to military members and their family (and civilian employees). It is located in Garmisch, Germany which is the Germany of your imaginings.

In front of Edelweiss



I'll have to update more tomorrow when I get my friend's pics of our adventures. :)