Our tummies were mad about the "Snowballs" in Fussen and we needed some "american" food or at least something familiar. Thankful J has me and I discovered that the restaurant below our hotel in Ulm was an Italian Pizzeria. J and I split a pizza (4/5--Think punch pizza) as a snack and settled into our hotel room. This one was interesting. We never would have found it on our own as it was on an old cobble street behind the Ulm Library that you would never suspect a car to go down, but they do. Very hidden and very perfect. From our window we could see the top of ULM minster. The main reason for our visit the tallest church in the world.
After settling in we set out to explore Ulm...my goal see the church. As we got closer it was clear that the church was the center of a bustling Christmas Market--Our main reason for Germany at Christmas. We were not disappointed. Christmas Markets in Germany are known for their Glühwein or mulled wine. Each tent at each market has their own variations. Additionally each market has it's own mug. So when you buy your wine you pay for the wine and a deposit on the mug. Each time you get more from any station, they refill your mug. If you want your deposit back simply return the mug, or do as J and i did and bring home a collection of mugs, reminding you where you were and when as each mug has it's own decoration and year on it. Really ceramic mugs for 2Euro each makes for the very best souvenirs. In Ulm Glogg, a traditional Swedish or Norwegian Mulled wine was our favorite. On the first night J and I shared a Feurewurst--or Fire wurst, which while good was too spicy for me, though J seemed to enjoy it.
The church bells in Ulm (and Germany in general) made sleep difficult, but we certainly did try.
12-21-16
We started our morning in the Christmas Market with a nutella covered waffle--which OMG this thing was amazing and a warm cup of Chai.
Today we went to the Steiff Museum home to the Original Teddy Bear. The factory is about a 40 minute trip from Ulm by train and walking, but well worth it, though we should have planned the timing of our return trip better--missed the train by 10 minutes and had to wait 40...sorry J :( but back to the bears. I was very giddy about this portion of the trip and J several times noted that I may have been more excited for this than the engagement. But the engagement is long term excitement, the teddy bear factory was immediate gratification. And boy did I enjoy it. The tours are offered in several languages, we had to wait about 10 minutes for an English one. The tour while cheesy was wonderfully enjoyable for me--and I think J enjoyed it as well--though it may just have been due to how excited I was. We got the history of the Steiff family, and of the bears themselves. They have very large stuffed toys that you can sit on. I have one on a unicorn--really all the Fairy Tale dreams came true this trip. And I have a photo of J on a Reindeer--He was very sweet to put up with me.
After the tour was done, I got myself a very special souvenir, my very own Steiff bear. It is perfect. We walked around Giengen an der Brenz (a small town where the factory is located) for a bit, J got us pretzels and we walked back to the train station and missed our train--again sorry.
We opted for J's choice for dinner tonight, and anyone who knows him should know that means mexican. Yes mexican in Germany. He seemed to be happy with the choice. He had a burrito and I had a chicken quesadilla. After dinner it was off to get more mulled wine. This was NOT a sober trip.
Then off to bed listening to the bells again.
12-22-16
We had breakfast at the hotel. It was okay but not as good as the Vitusfort in my opinion.
Church day--The goal was to climb to the top. 169 meters, however, due to the ice, they are only open to the 70meter platform in the winter. It was still cool to go up and get a view of the market from above. Also going up tiny spiral steps is dizzying and hard on the knees so 70 meters is fine. We explored the inside of the church as well and were able to listen to the Organist practice. I love the sound of organ music and always wished that I'd learned how to play. I almost get weak in the knees and could listen to it for hours.
For lunch I had Texas BBQ Pulled Pork for lunch from one of the stands in the Market. The bun is wrong it was on a multi-grain roll but other than that for 3.60Euro really not a bad deal. We went back to the hotel after lunch to rest for a bit as I was getting a head ache. J was really good and took care of me when I wasn't feeling well--this is a good sign for our future together.
For dinner J had the BBQ I'd had at lunch and I stuck with a bratwurst. My belly was happy and so was his, more mulled wine made it easier to sleep through the church bells. Tomorrow we are off to Dresden for Christmas and I am excited for what's in store for us there.
For those keeping track our food in Germany has been: Irish, Italian, Mexican, Texan and finally German.
Pizza: 4/5
Mexican food 2.5/5 but really what are we expecting in Germany
BBQ 3/5 would have maybe been higher if it was on the right bun.
Hotel: 3.5/5 Great location, strange bathroom and a feeling of being in a mirror maze. We were on the 3rd floor of a walk up, nearly slipped several times.
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