Jamil conveniently scheduled some medical check ups and administrative exams in Germany during the holidays! What better time to visit Europe than when Christmas markets are hopping and the gluhwein is flowing? Also, what better way to celebrate the holidays when away from family than with other Olmsted families? Here's to another Olmsted Christmas vacation!
Ramstein, Germany
We began our adventure relaxing at the base while Jamil wrapped up several days worth of appointments. We got a quick dose (some might say overdose) of American culture. We were shocked to see that the base was equipped with a huge mall, giant food court, movie theatre, Macaroni Grill, and a Chili's. Most of these things do not rank high on the list of things we typically enjoy in the States, but we were like kids in a candy shop and most definitely wreaked havoc on our stomachs. I was wide-eyed as I shopped at the clean and perfectly stocked American grocery store. We took the kids to see Santa and watched Christmas specials, American football, and the Today Show in the comfort of our hotel room. While dining at Chili's, we ran into a dear couple whom we hadn't seen since I was pregnant with Gabriel. We imagined we'd run into someone we knew, but I could not have been more pleased to reconnect with the sweet Zeiglers! As we wrapped up our stay, we couldn't help but think about what life would be like if we were ever assigned to Ramstein in the future. We'd hope to be thankful for the comforts that the base provides but even more grateful for the advantages of the amazing culture outside the gates! Cheers to the Zeiglers for finding a great balance.
Munich, Germany
The Murpheys (Olmsted 2011) kindly opened their doors to us as we breezed through this amazing city. As always, we thoroughly enjoyed connecting with a fellow Olmsted family! Although it had rained everyday of our trip thus far, we were loving every minute of it! The snow fell throughout our first night and we happily woke to a winter wonderland. It lightly rained as we walked around the square, but being my first European Christmas market, I didn't mind it one bit! While in Munich, we even reconnected with a friend from our summer travels. As we prepared to cross the Med from Spain to Morocco last August, we met an amazing German man, Boris, and helped him out during a time of need. He joined us in Munich, took us to lunch, and brought Christmas gifts for the boys. It is truly amazing to form relationships with people from all over the world, and even more amazing to catch up with them again in their home country.
Sharing Gingerbread Cookies...It's a Christmas Miracle!
Salzburg, Austria
We drove into Salzburg in the rain and fog and were unable to even see the huge cliff that stretches straight up from the city. It was a quick stop, but we enjoyed strolling through the streets lit with Christmas lights, seeing where Mozart was born, eating more sausage, and drinking more beer. The kids even received cute, little packages of Haribo Gummy Bears (a family favorite) with their meal! As the smog let up, I was in shock the next morning to find the mountain that had been just feet away from us the whole time. This geographical element adds extra special charm to this beautiful city!
Vienna, Austria
5 Olmsted families met in Vienna where we strolled through the festive Christmas market, ate more sausage, drank more gluhwein, toured the beautiful city rich with music history, and laughed over great conversation. The Christmas lights in Vienna were truly fantastic! We shared an apartment with the Grahams whom we became friends with in DC. We first contacted them when this grand adventure was just a hopeful idea. They were eager to meet up, gave us great pointers on how to make the most of our trip, and extended the invite to other scholars. It turned out to be an amazing group!
The Musas (2011, Morocco), The Johnsons (2011, Slovenia), The Flanmmias (2012, Italy), The Hensarlings (2011, Belgium), The Grahams (2011, Poland)
Huge thanks to Carrie Flammia for such AMAZING photos below!
High Tatras, Slovakia
The crew left Vienna for the High Tatras Mountains of Slovakia where we met two more scholar families, the Bushes (Hungry, 2011) and the Shores (Poland, 2012). We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the super posh Kempinski Hotel. We spent most of our time playing in the snow surrounding the frozen lake and sledding down the mountain on classic sleds and huge tubes. Christmas Eve dinner was at the hotel where we toasted to the General, and Christmas dinner was at a traditional restaurant just steps away overlooking the lake. A Slovakian band played some favorite American tunes, like New York New York, just for us, and we toasted a flaming beverage to great friendships.
Huge thanks to Carrie and Carolyn for such AMAZING photos below!
Krakow, Poland
The Grahams graciously hosted us in their home in Krakow for two nights. We strolled through their beautiful town square and Christmas market and toured the city by night in a horse & carriage. Jamil couldn't get enough sausage, I couldn't get enough Polish pottery, and neither of us could get enough gluhwein! Oh, and of course Gabriel couldn't get enough of JR! Thus far, Krakow had pleasantly surprised us as our favorite city of the trip! The next day, Tom and Jill so kindly offered to watch the boys so that we could tour the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. I do not have the words to describe Auschwitz. It is most definitely the saddest and most emotionally draining place I have ever and hopefully ever will see. Quite honestly, I was hesitant to even go. However, I am truly grateful for the experience and strongly encourage everyone to visit.
Prague, Czech Republic
I'm sure many of you are not surprised to hear that Prague is now one of our favorite cities....ever! What a truly amazing place! We stayed in the middle of the old town and enjoyed stepping out to breathtaking views. There was not one wasted space that wasn't absolutely beautiful, and to top it off, the Christmas market was still up and running! We met up with the Johnsons (once again, they are great friends and fantastic with the boys!) for a wonderful and free walking tour. It included the Old Town Square with its famous Astronomical Clock and Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the Charles Bridge, the Spanish Synagogue with its Moorish Revival architecture, and the Municipal House, to name a few. While browsing the Christmas market in the Old Town Square, we purchased a painting of the Charles Bridge that will forever remind us of this picturesque city. On the last evening, we even got to meet a new Olmsted family, the Senkowskis (Berlin, Olmsted 2012), for dinner. Prague, you were the perfect grand finale for this amazing Christmas vacation, and you've made the "We'd love to go back there!" list.
Huge thanks to Carrie for the AMAZING photos below!
Frankfurt, Germany
To conclude our trip, we quickly passed through Frankfurt to catch our flight back to Morocco. While Frankfurt, Germany's financial center, is not quite as charming as many other German towns, it was still a beautiful place to stay. We ate great Indian food the evening we arrived, grabbed a quick breakfast as we strolled through the downtown, and caught our flight back home.
As I wrap up this post, I have to stop and take a deep breath. This Christmas vacation was truly a blessing, especially coming from a place where Christmas is not largely celebrated. We remain grateful to the Olmsted Foundation for the opportunity to travel this amazing world with our family! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Oh my goodness, what a trip! Your pictures are fabulous! I especially love the sledding photos.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Chili's sign and *knew* it was from Ramstein! When we lived in Spangdahlem, that Chili's was built and it was such a lovely treat to drive to Ramstein and eat there on occasion! It must have been even more so for you guys, coming all the way from Morocco!!