Work in Europe for 13 months..

"Work in Europe for 13 months" - That was the headline of the Craigslist add that I applied to in June 2011. Just four months later, I said farewell to Seattle and arrived at my new home in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. While here, I will be working at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort and traveling throughout Europe...

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Starkbierfest

Starkbierfest is the first fest of the new year and takes place in March. It is when "strong" bier is served. It started with the monks who would fast during lent. They had to create a strong beer that would be more filling during the season of lent. Delaney & I donned our Dirndls and headed to Paulaner to celebrate my first fest!

Love my dirndl.. I can't believe I found exactly what I wanted!

Waiting for our train to Munich






Outside seating at Paulaner



Sunday, March 18, 2012

Baden Baden and Schwarzwald

When Josh was here we also took a trip to Baden Baden, the famous spa town of Germany which has ancient Roman spas. It was such a relaxing getaway and we stayed in a beautiful hotel! While in Baden Baden we visited a thermal spa and went wine tasting. 

View from our hotel balcony



We went to Caracalla Therme in Baden Baden - the more modest of the two spas in town where you wear clothes! The warm water is sourced from 12 mineral springs and is believed to have healing power. I don't know about all that, but after spending three hours soaking in indoor and outdoor pools and jacuzzis we definitely felt relaxed! There are also tanning beds, lounge chairs with solar lamps, and aroma therapy saunas. You can spend hours just hopping from one station to the next. It was such a fun time! Imagine Waterworld for adults...



Driving through the wine region in Baden Baden. We "tasted" at a couple places, but it was more like taste to buy. Needless to say, we came home with a few bottles!




We also drove home through the Black Forest, stopping in Triberg, home of cuckoo clocks and Germany's highest Wasserfalle - which was frozen!!




Josh's Favorite! 














Saturday, March 3, 2012

Home Sweet Home

After a morning run through the city I live in, I figured I should share some pictures of my temporary home...

Snowy Scenes of GaPa





 

I took a short hike the other day (about 20 mins up the mountain in the picture above) and took some great pictures overlooking Garmisch-Partenkirchen:


The War Memorial


There was a recent travel article in the New York Times about Garmisch-Partenkirchen, here is the link if you want to read more about the city!
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/travel/exploring-around-garmisch-partenkirchen-germany.html


The snow is staring to melt and its beginning to feel like Spring. It has been gorgeous the last few days with lots of sun! I am looking forward to Summer!

The Olympic Ski Jump is in the background

Took this picture on my walk to work one day

Mine & Josh's trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig II's fairytale castle


Coffee break in Austria!












It was FREEZING!!!
Gluhwein to warm up! 


Hohenschwangau Castle, where Ludwig lived as a child. Just across the way from Neuschwanstein.


Bavarian Maypole