Ulm Minster, Germany Ulmer Münster, Deutschland

ULM MINSTER

What an amazing experience this was. Walking up to Ulm Minster was breathtaking. The height alone was powerful enough, not to mention its beauty. Zak & I took Cristina & Suzanne to Ulm after our visit to Hohennagold(my previous post). 

You can see I couldn't even get the entire church/cathedral in the picture.

So we went in and was able to see some of the beauty inside before our journey up to the top. 

 

So now is the time for the climb to the top. No elevators in here, and also really tight spaces. As you know I am out of shape and overweight right now, so this is something I had to do. This Cathedral is the tallest church in the world and has 768+ stairs that go up a spiraling tight staircase. 

OK HERE WE GO....

The way up is very hard. Your mind can play tricks on you, and you feel like you can't stop much because others come up behind you and can't pass by, but we push on and see beautiful things on the way up.







Just when you think you have made it to the top, they have an even smaller spiral staircase to the top where people have to go both up and back down in. So I took a seat and was going to quit and say I was close enough. It took a good 20 minutes before I got up and decided to go for it.



Finally at the top and so many beautiful things to see, even some red balloons!













Time to go back down and get back to reality and plant my feet on the sweet flat ground.

Thanks to Zak, Cristina & Suzanne for the push/support and great day.

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Much Love, 

Brianna 

Hohennagold Castle

Hohennagold Castle & trip to the Worlds tallest cathedral.  We have a family member & her friend visiting us for a couple days as they backpack through Europe. So we wanted to go to some fun places. Hubby(Zak) came up with a pretty good game plan. We drove from Stuttgart & first stop took about 1.5 hours to get there. We found a parking spot (possibly private parking spot), and headed off to climb a long steep hill. Of couse I am completely out of shape and was complaining & taking breaks every couple of minutes, but the sweat was worth it when we finally made it to the top. 

'The View halfway up this hill wasn't so bad :)'

So once we hit the top I sat down on the closest thing I could find, rested/de-sweated and started taking pictures and loved looking at the Castle.

This is the beauty you first get to take in.

The castle wall still standing

Zak looking Hot & posing for me!

This Castle was built in 1100 then they made it bigger in 1153 & 1162. Lots of destruction came to this Castle with the 30 year war & in 1945 a tower was destroyed then later restored to preserve this Castle as a ruin. 

Sadly this was the last picture taken at this beautiful place. We walked about 5,000 steps and was very excited to be walking downhill instead of back up. We grabbed a quick ButterBrezel in town and took off for our next destination.. So next blog will be about the tallest Cathedral in the world (yes we climbed to the top so come back soon for that)

Much Love,

Brianna

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Ludwigsburg Christmas Market

Zak & I were feeling like we needed a good date night, and wanted to get in the Christmas spirit. He was finally back home after being away for 7 weeks so we were due a night on the town. We ventured out to Ludwigsburg, which is a city in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. They have a christmas market there that we just had to see. 

BEAUTIFUL

Love seeing our last name everywhere in Germany :)

So many cute decorations everywhere

Festive Gluhwein.. Couldn't pass up this cup

It wouldn't be a Christmas Market without Santa :)

We really had a great time seeing all the beautiful sites & shopping around at all the wonderful little shops. If your in the area I wouldn't pass up this Market, and make sure to come when its dark so you can see all the great christmas lights. After the market we found a great Italian Restaurant and Zak had a Parma Calzone & I had Spaghetti Carbonara. It was all great and a decent price, so If I can find a receipt I will add the name later.  We also went to the Esslingen Christmas Market when Zak was back for a couple days during Thanksgiving, So that will be my next post. 

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Lots of Love to you all, and a very Merry Christmas & the best New Year,

                                                

 Brianna :)

Fasching German Style

What is Fasching? Well before moving to Germany I had never heard of this. So I thought I would try to get the word out, because it just might be worth the trip. Fastnacht / Fasching comes from the word 'fasting'. It starts a week before Ash wednesday when the 40 day of Lent begins. Here in Germany they use this time to celebrate, eat, drink, dance, and be happy. They want to be able to enjoy themselves to the fullest before lent begins.                                            

 Zak and I decided to go to the Fasching parade in Weil-der-Stadt, 
Germany. We heard all great things about this place. When we first arrived and started walking into town you got a sense of community spirit & pride. We got there 2 hours early, because I hate being late or missing things. We grabbed some pizza, explored the area and got in line because things started getting busy. 

It was time 

for the celebrations to begin. Push beer & alcohol bars started cruising the parade route, and the donut stand opened up next to us so I couldn't resist trying those. People are eating, drinking, singing and visiting with family and friends in the streets and you can feel the happiness coming off of everyone. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this parade just blew my mind. Just check out the pictures and you will understand.

Yes that is a pine tree of sorts on top of my head 

These masks are just amazing!

After seeing this guy on the left, I wasn't sure if I would live to see another day ;)

A fish eating Witch

Witches hanging from the tractor

Awesome train!

See what Obama is holding and You can guess what
this is about.....  (America is listening)
LOL it was funny.

Just check out the EARS

I LOVE MR. BEAN :) :)

Looks like I am in TROUBLE!

They would literally grab people and run with them down the street. Or jump in buildings/homes as you can see in this picture..... I would have freaked out if it happened to me.

Happy to see this snuggly bear.

Well we have come to the end. We had an amazing time, and plan to go to more of the events next year during Fasching and I will be sure to report about it. Thanks for looking and make sure to subscribe by bloglovin', or email so I can keep you updated and continue doing what I love. Also you can find me on all the links below as well.. 

MUCH LOVE :)

               

Brianna






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