“American artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).”
Easter Markets and Ancient Traditions
We here in Schliersee just enjoyed a beautiful weekend to begin the German Easter vacation break. Not only did we have spectacular weather to enjoy but Palm Sunday weekend also means we have colorful Easter markets to visit.
In Schliersee we had two lovely markets, chock full of delicious and creative items. It is a wonderful feeling after a long cold winter to see the landscape dotted with color once more. One Easter tradition you find in Germany is the Easter Tree. It is a symbol of new life. You see trees in front of many homes decorated with colorful eggs. In many other homes people bring in fruit tree branches and put them in a vase to force the branches to bloom early, filling the house with color and life. Colorful dyed or hand painted eggs are hung from these branches to give it the finishing touch.
Another ornamental tradition here in Schlieree is the “Palmbuschen or Palmbüscherl”. In Catholic American churches families get palm fronds or palm crosses which are part of Christian iconography symbolizing the palm branches that were waved at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. On Palmsamstag or the Saturday before Palm Sunday, in the afternoon adults, children and teenagers of the Catholic church make the Palmbüscherl using certain natural materials for protection and blessing. They bind them using branches of Cedar, Yew, Holly, Juniper and most traditionally Palm Willow or what we in the US call Pussy Willow. The Pussy Willow or Palm Willow is used in Europe instead of the Palm Frond. These little wand like Palmbuschen are intricate little tokens of devotion and are themselves works of art.
On Palmsonntag the Palmbüscherl are individually attached to long wooden poles and carried down the aisle of the church in a solemn procession to be blessed. They are then taken home and placed either by the Easter Tree or in traditional catholic Bavarian homes, in the Herrgottswinkel. What is the Herrgottswinkel of a home you ask? I had to look it up as well but definitely found it very interesting. The Herrgottswinkel is something you see in many old Bavarian farm houses, it is a corner in a room where a wooden carved crucifix is hung. It is almost like a shrine or an altar and it is here that the little Palmbuschen is placed.
If you are lucky enough to be in Schliersee for Easter Vacation next year you can find all these traditional holiday crafts as well as many others at the yearly markets held at Vitalwelt and St Joseph’s Church in Neuhaus. My husband said the best part is always the homemade cakes.
https://magazin.schliersee.de/event/schlierseer-ostermarkt/
http://www.pv-schliersee.de/?q=josef/start
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Restaurant David – Breathing New Life in this Season of Rebirth
On a chilly Spring evening I met with András Kalmár and his wife Annett Kalmár-Seer and her brother Dávid Seer. They kindly invited me to their family owned and operated restaurant. Restaurant David, named after Dávid Seer who is the manager, is located in the picturesque alpine victorian, Wirtshaus Wendelstein right downtown in Schliersee. On that evening they were having a “Hungarian Evening” with a live violinist which was the perfect backdrop to our meeting to talk about all the new and exciting changes happening at Restaurant David this spring.
They are celebrating their 2nd anniversary on the 20th of May 2017, the owners decided to bring in a very talented new Hungarian Chef and with his new vision, create a completely new and very special menu. As of now they are planning to unveil this new menu in May. Chef Robert Lábodi, who went into the culinary arts after his sport career ended due to injury and his passion for food drove him to study to be a Chef and he was trained at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or in Paris. Chef Robert Lábodi will be moving to Schliersee end of April.
Chef Robert is bringing with him a fusion of techniques from traditional to modern gastronomy. He wants to blend the best of the worlds cuisine. He mentioned techniques like Sous Vide which is a French method of cooking which has become very popular in this time of finding ways to eat healthier. Sous Vide is a method of cooking in which food is sealed in a vacuum-sealed plastic pouch then placed in a water bath and can be used for meat and vegetables. The intent is to cook the item evenly, ensuring that the inside is properly cooked without overcooking the outside. This method really retains the moisture in the food keeping things juicy and delicious.
He is also a sponsor for the use of silicon food forms to create unique and unusual ways to create appetizers. These forms would be used to shape exotic grains like couscous or vegetables into shapes which can later be filled with sauces. Adding a touch of architecture to their finished plates.
After visiting Schliersee from Budapest they fell in love with the beauty and serenity Schliersee and have worked hard to bring international flavors to our alpine lakeside community. They advertise extensively to encourage a substantial amount of tourism from Hungary and around the world.
If you haven’t tried Restaurant David yet, drop by and give their new menu a try and welcome Chef Robert to his new home in Schliersee.
To get your reservation:
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Skiing…Like Riding a Bike
Growing up in the Northeast of the United States I learned to ski at an early age and really looked forward to racing down the slopes each winter. Sadly for the past 25 or so years, I haven’t put on a pair of skis. This year, after watching everyone hit the beautiful slopes here on Spitzingsee, I was determined to rekindle that old passion.
Truly I was terrified, but determined. I set my goal for joining a very patient friend on “ladies day,” which is every Wednesday and is 16€. I figured I would start on a discounted day just in case my skiing was a complete disaster. Another wonderful deal is their Happy Hour pass which starts at 14:30 and gives you about 2.5 hours of afternoon fun all for 12€.
On the advice of many locals, I rented all my ski gear from the very friendly Ingo at Ingo’s ski rental which is conveniently located next to the church on Spitzingsee. A complete ski kit including boots, poles, and carving skis were 25€ a day. There are many ski rental options on Spitzingsee and even at the Intersport in Schliersee so you have tons of options. It’s a great way to try a range of ski and boot brands to find your perfect fit.
Once I had all my gear, I will admit to shaking with nerves but also with excitement. I was not going to live another year here in Schliersee without soaring down the snowy mountain sides. The slopes at Stümpflingbahn were already bustling with life when I found my parking spot and climbed into my gear.
Found my ski bunny girlfriend and after a bit of what she calls “Dutch courage” (warm alcohol drink), we approached the slope. The modern ski gear these days makes skiing a pure delight. I had to take a pit stop or two on my way down the mountain to breathlessly take in the spectacular views and wipe away a few joyful tears.
This season I have already skied 4 times and loved it so much that I invested locally in my own ski kit. Many of the rental places will sell last year’s stock, which is lovingly cared for and gently used. It really is a great deal. You can also find great deals at Intersport and Sport Fundgrube.
One of our amazing contributors, Ulrike McCarthy and I met for a Happy Hour ski together. We basically had the entire slope to ourselves and were the last skiers on the mountain. The weather, snow conditions and wonderful company all made for a perfect ski experience. We made a little video of our last run. It was so cool we were able to ski right to our car.
My advice to others who have been waiting to get back on the slopes is to just do it. Face your fears. It honestly is just like riding a bike, your body never forgets.
Ski Pass Prices:
http://www.alpenbahnen-spitzingsee.de/fileadmin/user_upload/alpenbahnen-spitzingsee/2016-2017_Spitzingsee__Preisliste-.pdf
http://www.alpenbahnen-spitzingsee.de/en/tickets/specials/
Ski Rentals and Schools:
Ingo’s http://www.skiverleih-spitzingsee.de/index.php?site=preise&lang=en
http://www.alpenbahnen-spitzingsee.de/winter/skischulen-verleih/
Ski Deals:
http://www.intersport-berauer.de
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Never a Shortage of Winter Fun
On many snowy winter’s days in Schliersee we are faced with an important decision: “What are we going to play today?” Should we go sledding, skiing, snowshoeing, cross country, ice skating or just take a beautiful hike. What a wonderful plethora of outdoor adventures await us each day.
This year we were treated to not just one, but two of our local lakes freezing completely over. After approximately two weeks of sub-zero temperatures, Spitzingsee iced over and was quickly followed by Schliersee in the valley. It was as if we had reclaimed land mass. Absolutely everyone cautiously started taking the first steps onto the ice. Within days there were people playing hockey, ice skating behind baby carriages, curling and just walking their dogs. There were times I couldn’t tell who was enjoying the ice more, man or beast. Tables and chairs were set about for sitting and sipping and enjoying the sunshine, while gazing upon the lakes icy surface.
For me, watching all the people gathering to share warm drinks and experience walking on the lake’s surface was a wonderful treat. On one Saturday morning on Spitzingsee, there was even an alpine band playing. The energy was infectious. As the day progressed the long shadows grew across the ice and the fog rolled in and created incredible hoar frost in thick patterns like feathers.
Once the fresh snow fell so heavy that it covered Spitzingsee the ice became impossible to skate upon and at that time the cross country skiers and snowshoe walkers began to flood the lake’s surface. Following the paths that formed like highways felt like you were discovering new lands. Being able to see the mountains from this new perspective offered different views as well. It’s wonderful how this well known landscape continues to change and offer new experiences through out the seasons.
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Loipen Lovin’
I have never tried cross country skiing, but am totally fascinated by the sport and it’s beautiful trails. Perhaps it will be my new sport for next winter, though I am not sure anyone would like to ski with me since I would need to stop constantly to take photos of all the natural beauty. So in order to give you some knowledgable information I recruited a Loipe Lovin’ girlfriend who kindly share her passion for the sport with me.
My girlfriend, who met and married a German man and came to live in Irschenberg from a warm southern state in the United States, needed a sport she could become passionate about in order to learn to enjoy the long alpine winter months. Winter can be a real challenge to those who grew up without snow. The lack of sunshine alone can be daunting so finding a winter sport that motivates you to get out is very important.
Daily the trails in Schliersee and Spitzingsee are skillfully and precisely groomed just like our downhill ski slopes. What is most incredible is that once you buy your own gear, many of the local Loipen are absolutely free. Yes, you heard me….FREE. Not only do you get incredibly fit doing cross country, you are out in the winter sun, soaking in all that vitamin D. Another great tip about the Loipen in Schliersee is that when the slopes get busy on weekends you can almost guarantee that the Cross Country trails will have plenty of space.
One thing I found really incredible with the Cross Country gear is that it was incredibly light. My girlfriend has a Mini and she just popped her skis other gear right in back. No need for costly roof racks. Also it is possible to rent Cross Country gear at any of our local ski rental places for anywhere between 15€-25€ average price per day. I have been told that taking a lesson is really important to help you get started. Lessons can be found right where you are renting your skis. It is all very convenient.
When you first approach a trail or a Loipe you will notice that there are two different parts to the track. One part has two very carved grooves and one part in the middle is smooth and many times in the snow is a herringbone pattern being created by the skis. There are two types of skiing going on. One is the traditional Cross Country which you move your skis in a smooth forward to back rhythm. The other very challenging type is called Skate Skiing and just like it’s name you ski in that flat middle part of the track in a skating manner. It really looks so graceful when you see someone very proficient Skate Skiing.
I really hope that you will get out and try one of our Loipen and give this beautiful traditional sport a try.
Here are a few of Schliersee’s Loipen:
Hoamatsau Loipe:
http://www.wandern.com/touren/hoamatsau-loipe
Valepper Almen Loipen:
http://www.bergfex.de/bayern/langlaufen/spitzingsee/loipen/226/
Kirchbichl Loipe:
http://www.bergfex.at/tirol/langlaufen/kirchbichl/loipen/2998/
Information on all Loipen:
http://www.loipenportal.de/tegernsee-schliersee
Loipen Review:
https://www.skigebiete-test.de/langlauf/spitzingsee.html
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Du muss angemeldet sein, um einen Kommentar zu veröffentlichen.