Happy New Year!

Christmas time was alive and beautiful in Germany with all the beautiful Christmas markets.  Despite the shorter days and dull weather, it is a great place to visit in December because the towns are lit up with markets and festivities. 

Although it was hard being away from family and friends over the Christmas vacation, we enjoyed staying in Germany and traveling around the country.  Since Vivian and Jack had over three weeks off we decided to see a little of northern and southern Germany.  The first week they had off we headed south to the mountains to enjoy winter sports and beat the Christmas rush.  We stayed in the town of Garmisch which has the highest mountain peak in Germany.

The top of Germany

Skiing at Garmisch Classic.  Here is where Jack realized that God's handiwork is way more impressive than man's handiwork.  While on top of the mountain, he says, "Wow, this is way better than the Eiffel Tower!"  And he loved the Eiffel Tower.

Authentic German restaurant with music, yodelers, and dancers! 

We took a drive to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle

Then, just after the new year, we headed north to Hamburg and surrounding areas.

We stopped in Hameln on our way to Hamburg to see the legendary sites of the Pied Piper.  There were rats all through the town in the walkways to guide you on a path to see the sights.  Vivian and Jack thought it was fun locating the rats since they seems scattered everywhere along the path.

Glockenspiel on the wedding house (civic hall) which was decorated for advent.
When it chimes, mechanical figures come out and re-enact the Pied Piper tale.

Hildesheim - another beautiful town on our way.  The Architecture was amazing.

We visited Bremen while staying in Hamburg.  The Bremen Rathaus (Town Hall) lit up at night.  
The days were short!

Bremen Ratskeller.  We ate here in the wine cellar underneath the town hall.

"The Bremer Stadtmusikanten"  This famous sculpture is located at the west end of the Rathaus.  It depicts the fairy tale of the four animals who wanted to become Bremen City Musicians.

 
Schwerin Castle - the largest castle in the North

Finally - Hamburg!


Hamburg is one of the three largest ports in Europe.  
We had fun taking the ferry from our hotel to the main port of Hamburg.  
There were many huge ships along the way.

St. Michealis Church

As you can see, there aren't many pictures, if any, with sunshine.  In the news today, they said we have had 2.8 hours of sun since the first of the year!  Usually there is an average of 44 hours by now.  And, the next prediction of sun isn't until next Monday.  We had fun on our travels, but what a gloomy start to the new year!  All the Christmas decorations are put away except our stars that we bought at the Christmas markets (pictured below).  They are beautiful and bright and light up the room!

  I am ready for Spring!  It will be here before we know it and then we will be getting ready to travel home.  As we continue into 2013, we look forward to finishing up our two years in Germany and moving back home.  This has been such a neat experience for all of us!