Germar's Monthly Updater

December 2004: Christmas in Garmisch Check box, if you don't want to see comments when enjoying full-size pictures.

Coming back to my hometown over Christmas is a highlight of every year. This year was particularly special because I haven't seen my mom since her shoulder surgery in June. Moreover, I was thrilled of seeing again my girl friend Tine. It started snowing soon after my arrival and Tine and I had a gorgeous day skiing together under crystal blue skies on December 20. Tragically, my mom broke her thigh bone on December 22, and I spent many hours during the following days in the hospital with her. Despite this blow, Tine and I found time to go skiing, hiking, and visiting old friends. We also spent New Years Eve together in a romantic mountain hut above Garmisch.

Here are some shots from Grubigstein, a small ski resort in Austria not far from Garmisch. Snow and weather were perfect, there were no people, and the views of the mountains surrounding us were incredible.

Panorama from Grubighütte with Zugspitze in the center Click for 1024x196 pixel version

Powdering Tine Tine before Zugspitze Me, having a blast

Christmas Day featured the best weather imaginable. Our plan was to go up Zugspitze, visit the holy mass in the resort's small church, and go skiing afterwards. Unfortunately, there was no mass this day but at least I got a glimpse of the chapel's interior. And yes, skiing was great.

Our bedroom window Chapel on top of Zugspitze "Lüftlmalerei" in Farchant

We spent New Years Eve in the mountains above Garmisch. After claiming a bed in the Barbarahütte, we met friends at the Kreuzalm, had a Glühwein, hiked up to Kreuzeck, hitch-hiked with a snow cat to Hochalm, had food and beer, walked back to Kreuzalm, enjoyed the fireworks, had some champagne, and finally sank happily in our red-and-white checkered bed at the Barbarahütte.

Fireworks on New Years Eve Alpspitz, backlit Barbarahütte

Everything in Bavaria is a little bit different from the rest of the world. This includes food and colors. Here are some examples.

Germknödl Bavarian colors Sunset at Zugspitze   Fricken and Wank - two prominent mountains between Burgrain and Farchant Click for 1024x322 pixel version

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