Marzipan Nutcracker
A magical Christmas in Germany
We arrived in Munich and our guide makes clear this is Bavaria. Bavaria favor autonomy from Germany and even their own language. I've been here many times but looking through sober eyes now, I find it more vibrant, clean and sophisticated. We spend two days with Nancy, an excellent guide who has emailed me to continue contact. I have a very small group of only 26, so this is like a holiday for me. It is a first time abroad for some and I love to learn from them when they realize that things with a child-like enthusiasm that I do not. This is the hi-tech land of engineering. We pass Sept. 1 story Mercedes dealership with new cars stacked to the shape of an Advent tree. We also see the BMW factory. I wish I could work here with 7 weeks holiday per year, 340 different work schedules to choose from, a gym, spa and many other benefits. We stop for hot apple strudel and visit the famous sites. Here is the 100 'tree with 2500 candles. Our welcome dinner at Haufbrauhous is a delight with yodeling, alpine horns and sausages all-sausage. The group toasts their natural Steins of beer made from only barley, hops and water.
It's time to move on to the enchanting storybook villages. This is a magical time to visit. No country celebrates Christmas with more passion than Germany. Looking at the Alps, the morning sky looks like a pale bruise. Soon a Blizzard engulfs our coach, but we have an experienced driver named Eno who we love by trips end in 7 days.
We arrive at Neuschwanstein and ride by horse and cart to famous castle. (This is the one Disney fashioned after his own.) I have more castles than I can count over the world, but this medieval knight's fortress with gothic turrets spectacular. Built in 1869, it seems brand new with decorated rooms intact. The 388 steps inside are well worth the climb. There's hardly anyone here whereas summer can draw 5,000 tourists per day. In winter, this fairytale castle is dreamy surreal. That's why I travel out of season.
Pity poor Mad King Ludwig II, who designed this worlds largest, most extravagant, expensive and luxurious palace for himself. It is a sad story of the 6 'king, who lived only four months. The People loved him so much as the German Tourist Board does today. His family, however. They tried to declare Ludwig insane and hired a team of psychiatrists to prove such. Although he was prone to depression and insomnia, no doctor could find him mentally unfit. After a short rule, his body was found in the lake and the family stated that it was suicide. But the body of his psychiatrist was also found, so most agree it was murder, particularly since an autopsy was refused. It was later determined that Ludwig was gay, so the "fairytale king" was truly a fairy tale.
We stopped in charming Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Plays every 10 years, the wooden houses are painted with stories:. Hansel & Gretel, Red Riding Hood, etc. We then toured Nuremberg with an astute guide who brought the city to life before our eyes of the 15th century until its destruction in World War II. Some went to the Toy Museum or Torture Museum while I went to the world's biggest Christmas market to explore.
With big lighted trees, double drunkenness, horses with bells, over 400 stalls of food and crafts, this is as festive as it gets! I graze my way through the white chocolate bananas, fruit breads, glazed grapes, dipped pretzels, pink marzipan pigs, licorice angles and all types of roasting sugar coated nuts. Are shaped gingerbread omnipresent and the aroma of warm sweet Gluh wine scents the air. I'm on a sugar high and head for the crafts. Shopping is a blood sport here through narrow streets, but MasterCard is my armor and I find all my toy treasures. There are giant nutcrackers that every occupation, unique managers and 29 trillion ornaments. At dusk the illumination begins. I pause for a dinner of 6 bratwurst, Bavarian cheese and a pyramid of sauerkraut to last me until 2012.
In Rodenthal we toured the Goebel / Hummel Factory. I anticipated boredom yet became fascinated to learn how precious each piece. From 1871 to today, 700 artists create these tiny non-useful images. They are paid per piece and an error is made, must be broken. The highest paid artists are the delicate "face painters." I met a woman who has spent 12 years just painting eyebrows, another on the lips and a man who worked 10 years cheeks! The fatigue of the eyes must be like threading needles for life and it takes 3 years apprenticeship switch to this level. Initially our guide assumed we were a collectors club when in reality we can barely afford a 2''kindje Jesus. Later in East Germany we visited Lauenstein Confiserie, a chocolate / praline factory that was so busy with the season, they hardly notice us. I tasted from the chocolate fountain almost an orgasm and cocoa reaffirm that America could never produce this product as purely or satisfying as Europe.
Best of all cities was Rothenberg, population 2300 where our Hotel Prince was located within the fortified walls of the old city. Our guided walk here instantly awakened all my 5 senses and made me want to linger for days. We tend to go over the top each year with our flashy decorations. Among the half-timbered homes here on cobbled streets, it is quieter and softer. One is taken back to the Middle Ages with the pewter ornaments hand and evergreens lit with candles. Afterwards, our guide Claudia invites us all into her house. I go to a "snowball effect" for which this city is famous now. They are piled high like colored softballs in the windows. More than 300 years, these cakes are made from scraps of fresh pie dough sober. Dipped in chocolate, berries or cinnamon butter, they melt in your mouth. When the sun shines, I remove my coat to a balmy 50 degrees. How I wished it would snow.
We finish our tour in the city of Heidelberg Student Prince as the famous castle and its 55,000 gallon wooden wine barrel. That night I reflect on an amazing journey. my last one for 2005, I write this journal so my wonderful little group will remember it all. With proud I will always remember them on time, patient, no complaints, generous tippers, polite to locals and friendly with each other travelers Perfect Wish I could clone ..
After hugging Eno goodbye, we leave with so many shopping bags that he now thinks he needs a trailer in tow of his coach. In December it was joyous to be transported back in time. It certainly put me in touch with my inner elf. What a gift!
About the Author
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I am writing a critiqe the Nutcracker ballet, and the need to return to find the online video scene to watch one.?
I must know the scene and see if the Mother Ginger scene again or marzipan from the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. PLEASE HELP ME !!!!!!!! I'm desperate!
Try YouTube or Google that scene. Youtube first.
Nutcracker 2008 – Marzipan
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