The Germany Journals, Ch. 3

Bruce and Betsey,  in one of the many bakeries we have visited.

We have been eating and drinking our way across Germany and Austria for....  Actually, I seem to have lost track of how long we've been here.

Croissant, spaetzle, ratatouille, pork and other stuff.

This is more complicated than you would think.

Fruit, dessert, pork and another croissant from the brunch buffet in Koblenz.

First we have to find a restaurant on which the five of us agree.

A glass of sweet white wine in Bacharach.

That's the easiest part as the five of us agree on one thing:  local fare.  No American food, no Mickey D's abysmal representation of American food.

The occasional Starbucks beverage for anyone suffering withdrawal symptoms is okay.

Rouladen and homemade spaetzle were an easy choice in Rothenburg.

Window display in a bakery in Rothenburg.

Breakfast rolls rule!

Yoghurt and tea.

German bakeries are inordinately proud of schneeballs--strips of pasty mashed together into a ball and sugared.  Once was enough.

Hot chocolate was always a favorite.

Once we found a restaurant, we had to decipher the menu.

Wienerschnitzel sandwich in Dinklesbuhl.

Lunch at the foot of Neuschwanstein castle!

Even then, ordering could result in some surprises.

The soups were always good.

Andy would have gone back to this restaurant and ordered the roast duck again.

This incredible concoction is a salad.

This was a new one on me--beer and lemonade mixed, called radler.  Very light and refreshing, but who would have guessed?

So far, the German potato salad, Bavarian meat loaf, and apfel strudel at Chris' and Brigitte's in Koessen have been the best.

But when Betsey ordered ice for her tonic water, this is what she got--an ice cream sundae.

And Bruce got a cup of soup, though he hadn't ordered it.

Three of us ordered this dish--fried chicken strips on salad.  Two of us got French Fries instead.  The menu here was very limited, so we treated ourselves to our daily ice cream cones on the way out.

Betsey ordered the Grandmother Wienerschnitzel in Vienna, thinking it would be a smaller portion.  It was a large as a saddle blanket.

Did I mention we visited a lot of bakeries?

We ate a lot of Wienerschnitzel.

And pork with sauerkraut.

This was my plate of spareribs.  Everyone at the table had some.  We shared bites and tastes always.

Did taste tests of Apfel strudel in every town.

Betsey's pasta and arugula salad at Schonbrunn palace.

My bratwurst and roasted potatoes at Schonbrunn.

Bruce's soup.

And, of course, we had to sample the Apfel strudel after visiting the Apfel strudel shop.  Brigitta's is still the best.

Ummmm...the hot chocolate.  This was the first time we were served water.

More Wienerschnitzel.

So, you can see how all this eating and drinking would wear a person out rather quickly.  Choice, choices, choices.

This was the rock star of all comfort food.  Strips of pasta fried with egg, onion, and bacon.

I got so tired, I had to take a nap.

Difficult Decision

OMG, what to do when it's 15 below

and you're freezing your nose as well as your toes,

and good friends call and tell of their plans

to travel to places you’ve never seen,

unless you count the pictures on jigsaw

puzzles you’ve solved through the years.

To Frankfurt and Munich and places beyond

where history lives around every turn,

to journey by plane and train and car,

to Vienna and Salzburg and places between,

places you’ve read about but never been.

“And we have tickets,” said Betsey with glee,

to a performance of white horses that dance

in the air, full of grace in your face,

magnificent animals General Patton helped saved,

the famous, incredible Spanish Riding School.

And then she threw the final knife,

“We’re going to see King Ludwig’s place!”

“Neuschwanstein?” you yell with something

quite approaching full jealousy.

Yes, she said, and then:

“Why don’t you come with us?”

You hemmed and you hawed and pondered and thought.

Should I go? Should I not?

Should I sit back and wait,

and study and check my travel budget?

After due diligence—two seconds at least!!!—

You answer, “You bet! When do we leave?”

(March, middle of. I already have my ticket.)