The Beer Man Revealed!!!

I told you I had beer and drinks delivered to my house once a week!!!


I have been saying for months that one of the highlights of Germany is the beer man. He is truly a delight here in Germany. I have to say I honestly look forward to him every Tuesday. He is so entertaining and probably one of, if not, the nicest person I have met since moving to Germany.

Now before anyone gets worried and thinks that Paul and I have become full fledged alcoholics he doesn't only deliver beer. He delivers a variety of other drinks to your front door.

Our favorite of course is the beer particularly the Hells but I also LOVE to get my case of Tafel Wasser every week. Some other favorites are Cola Mix, Apfel-Kirsche juice and Orangen-limonade.

Translated..

Tafel Wasser- Soda Water (This is my favorite especially when I add lemon to it)
Cola-Mix- Orange and Coke mixed together ewwwwww but it is Sydney's favorite
Apfel-Kirsche- Apple Cherry Juice
Orangen-limonade- Orange Soda

So here is my proof that the beer man does exist

First Day of School

Today is the first day of school!!!

I was giddy last night packing their backpacks for school. FINALLY silence!! It was a very long summer this year.

Syd will be starting the 4th grade and Zac will in the 3rd.



I just LOVED Sydney's dress. Her grandmother in Florida sent it to her. The pictures don't do it justice. It shines in the sun. It is so pretty.



So now Banjo and I are enjoying the silence. I am going to hit the gym this morning and then get caught up on some school work. I have a full load this semester 5 classes.

SHHHH!!!! Don't tell Paul I let Banjo on the couch.

Burghausen

After a good night's sleep I can tell you about this amazing castle we saw yesterday.

Burghausen was first mentioned in 1025. This castle in the longest in all of Europe with a length of over 1,000 meters. It has six courtyards in all and one AMAZING view. Each courtyard was constructed seperately during various times and each had it's own moat and draw bridge leading to the next courtyard. To this day there are people that live within the various houses of the 6 courtyards.

This castle sits on the German/Austrian border on the Salzach river. This is the famous castle that was home to George the Rich and his bride Hedwig. The family line died out with the death of George the Rich and Hedwig's daughter and that is how the castle came into the hands of State of Bavaria. In 1800 Napolean ordered demoltion of the northermost out part of the wall. Also from 1763-1890 this castle was used as an Army Barracks for the Bavarian Army.

You can read more about the history of Burgahusen

HERE

As promised here are some pictures from our day yesterday...

These are pictures of the 6th courtyard. This area was destroyed by Napeloan in 1800-1801. When Napeloan tore down this outer most wall sections of the courtyard were sold off to the locals. There are some pieces still left of the old courtyard but what is so interesting is people to this day still live in these houses in this courtyard.



THE FIFTH COURTYARD
Hedwig's Chapel



THE FOURTH COURTYARD
In the fourth courtyard there is a family that still lives to this day and even has a beautiful garden.






THE THIRD COURTYARD


The gate leading to the third courtyard...


This is the old arsenal that housed all the weapons for the castle.


Across from the arsenal are the Pepper Cannons. These three building housed cannons that were used to protect the castle.



SECOND COURTYARD

George's Gate is was special barrier for the second and first courtyard. There is a coat or arms on the George's Gate that represents the alliance between George of Bavaria and Hedwig of Poland.



Over to the left of this picture you see a cafe. This is where the old bakery and brewery use to stand.


THE FIRST COURTYARD
Gate leading into the first courtyard





I wasn't able to take any pictures of the inside of the castle since it wasn't allowed. However, the best part of the castle was the AMAZING views of Austria and Germany.





More pics from the day..

Burghausen..WOW!!!

Today we FINALLY made it to a castle on the German Austrian border that sits right on the Sulzach River that we have been dying to see.

All I can say is this castle was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

However....


You will have to wait until tomorrow to hear about it because I am exhausted :)

Drachenstich

Today we took a little trip down to a little renaissance festival in Furth Im Wald known as the Drachenstich. It just happens to be that this fest is the oldest one in Germany held every year for the past 500 years.

In the dusk of the Middle Ages, on one Sunday in August 1431, in Furth in the forest world history is written: A powerful army met here, in order to strike the abtrünnigen Böhmen. The battle is so well won, because the leader of the crusade is no other than the powerful cardinal Cesarini, a descendant of Julius Cäsar.

But the events suddenly underestimate themselves: In the shade of the war rises that greyful dragon, which was a curse for primeval times. Only two humans can stop: The young lock lady of Furth, in whose hand now the fate thousands lies - and the fearless knight Udo, who is imprisoned however in a net of deadly plots.

Inexorably the Drache rolls on the city too. If it cannot be defeated here, then the darkest chapter of the Bible will fulfill itself in terrible way…

DRACHENSTICH

We had a fantastic time. This weekend was also the "Kinderfest" children's festival so there were twice as many things for the kids to do.

The Drachenstich is a HUGE festival that encompasses the entire town complete with a play and dragon slaying. There is jousting and sword fighting. Lots of shopping and a medieval beer tent complete with food prepared just as it would of been back in medieval times.

We had a FANTASTIC TIME!!! This is something we definitely will be looking forward to next year..












I have NO IDEA what was up with the men in underwear tackling each other for a pillow. I will have to ask my German neighbor because this was a HUGE hit at the fest...

UPDATE..I got an answer :) Thanks Nicole!

Back in medival times this little game involved a few unmarried guys in "shorts" and most of the time a young pig. They all tried to catch the pig and woever caught it was most likely going home with one of the girls.
It is basically a fertility ritual/ dating game sort of a thing...lol.

Pictures from the Dragon Slaying Play. This was the coolest part of the entire fest..
Some video of the play