Oberstaufen is located in Southern Germany just about 5 miles from Austria and just a few more miles from the Swiss border. I have already described the trip there. On days 2 and 3 we were able to settle into vacation mode and enjoy our surroundings. Our resort was called Mondi Holiday and was located about a 20 minute walk from Oberstaufen. Spectacular views greet you in every direction.Forests are deep and dark eliciting thoughts of Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood. The pastures are lush and green with light tan milk cows grazing with the characteristic bells hanging from their necks. The bells are famous as a symbol for the area and are used in some of the festivals held during the year.

Having overcome the exhaustion of the previous days trip, we headed into Oberstaufen to explore it for the first time. The Marketfest had started on Friday and would wind down the day we were attending. When we got there, we assumed stores would be closed because of it being Sunday but many were open due to the festival. Doing a little window shopping we saw traditional Bavarian clothing in several shops. This was not just for show as many Germans we saw in shops and on the street wore the traditional dress.

We moved through town taking in the bronze statues, fountains, and cobble streets. St Peter and Paul Catholic church is the prominent landmark in the center of town, surrounded by cafes and biergartens. We watched as a man and his sons set up their ring toss/archery/pellet gun booth for the festival. We moved into the square where hundreds of people were listening to the traditional band play traditional festival music. The booths surrounding the square offered drinks (lots of beer), bratwurst, pastries, pizza, and marinated pork cutlet sandwiches (my favorite). Down one side street was the booth with all kinds of candies, nuts and dried fruits. Bungie swings and kids rides filled out the periphery. Everywhere you looked were gardens and people keeping them up. It was evident that they were very proud of them, for good reason. Even most of the buildings had flower boxes with Geraniums cascading down from the planters.

Since services had ended, we decided to look into the church and were enchanted by the beauty and serene feeling inside. Churches in Europe are often very ornate and reflect the devotion and love of the villagers toward their faith. Surrounding the church were shops and food establishments. We decided to have lunch at one outdoor cafe next to the church. I ordered what I thought was a bratwurst sandwich and fries. My wife ordered the same and my daughter ordered currywurst. She got the currywurst which was a brat in a curry sauce with red and green peppers and onions. She loved it, as did my wife. Ours, on the other hand, not so good. Instead of being a brat on a bun, we got a brat in a yellow gravy of some kind. It was edible but not something I would get again.

This was the major problem we encountered. German does not resemble any other language either in writing or in speech. Trying to figure out what on earth you were ordering was a challenge. At one of the other beirgartens, on a different night, I even resorted to closing my eyes and pointing. Ended up with a rump steak which was good. Another day , we went back to the cafe near the church again and ordered from the same waitress who greeted us with a big smile and greeting. Guten Tag! This time I was careful and communicated better using lots of hand gestures that probably embarrassed anyone watching.

I want a bratwurst----you know sausage--- draw picture with hands. And I want it on bread so I can pick it up like a sandwich. Understand bread? Yes? Yes she nodded and smiled. Also I want mustard to dip it in. "Pommes Frites?" she asked. Yes, with french fries. My wife said to bring her the same and my daughter ordered, you guessed it, currywurst. About ten minutes later, out came exactly the same meals as our first visit-----with one exception. She brought me three slices of rye bread. Oh, well. At least it was better the second time.

We went exploring and found a small antique store, more like a flea market that a fancy store. Inside were many items that just screamed Bavaria. Beautiful bells including traditional cow bells, beer steins, wood carvings, paintings and more. I was tempted to get the cow bell but it was so large, it would have been hard to get it home. Several stores had souvenirs like postcards, German traditional clothes, shot glasses, and steins. Bakeries smelled of wonderful things like fresh pretzels and pastries of every type.

We made our way back to the hotel along the well maintained walking path being sent on our way by bronze trumpeters. The path was lines with wildflowers of all kinds, Ripe wild strawberries lined the path. Whenever the trees opened, you could see forever where cows clanged across the fields and deep woods inspired fairy tales.

More to come so enjoy these Treasured Pasts.

Stuart