Kurbisfest, October 3

Kurbisfest is held every year in Altendorf,  a cute little Bavarian town about 15 miles from Bamberg.  Kurbis means pumpkin.  My friends & I rode our bikes there and had a good time walking around.  We tried pumpkin brats, pumpkin Secco (champagne), zwiebelkuchen (an onion tart) and then rode back.  It was a beautiful day and a lot of fun!

Painted on this pumpkin it says:

Herzlich Willkommen

(A heart-felt Welcome)

Zum Kurbisfest

(to Pumpkin Fest)

 Every town & village in Bavaria has a church in the center,

along with a fountain,

and then the houses are clustered around them.

There will also be a crucifix statue, Mary, 

and several on the sides of buildings as well.

In addition every town has a Herzlich Willkommen sign

welcoming you to their town 

and an Auf Wiedersehen sign

saying good-bye as you leave.

 Many people just opened up their garages 

and put some tables inside for the fest.

 Noah's Ark

The Juror that Wasn't

So, I've been waiting for like Forever to be a juror.  I would like to serve as a juror on a BIG murder trial......
I've never been picked.  At least, not until now.  Now, that is, that I am in Germany and am unable to do so.  Ah, well, that's another thing to add to the list I have to give up to live here!
I guess Deutschland's worth it though :o)

I See the Moon

And 

The moon sees me

God bless the moon

And

God Bless me

Sunday Afternoon at the Schloss Seehof

This schloss was built as a summer residence for the Prince Bishops of Bamberg.  We wandered around, had lunch at the bier garten and happened to hit the right timing for the fountain as well!

Hiking at Burg Rabenstein

So, I took a hiking trip back in the beginning of March and it really was fun.  A little delayed on posting the pics, but still fun to see.  It looks colder than it was.  Winter is pretty mild here.
This particular region is in Franconia and is known for it's mountains, cliffs and caves.  Burg Rabenstein is this castle.
One of the delights of living here is that there castles are everywhere in Germany.  You are constantly discovering a new one as you drive along.

Bamberg Field Trip

On a military base students are leaving and entering into the room all year long.  This picture is minus a few boys.  I started with 25 students this year, lost 8 and gained 5 at different times throughout the year.

Morgan's Wonderland

I cry each time I watch it.....

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/morgans-wonderland-theme-park-special/story?id=10321763

http://www.morganswonderland.com/

Love at First Sight!

One of these cars is not like the others...

Saw this on my way to my parking spot yesterday!

Snow Day

Sometime back in middle Janurary, we had this beautiful snowy day and a few of us decided to walk up to Altenburg Castle which sits on the highest hill overlooking Bamberg.  Here are some fun views of my new home away from home!

On the way up

My backyard/ courtyard area

The view from my front window

More of New Years in Prague

A view of the castle side of the city

The hotel where we stayed

The restaurant next door.  Cool huh?

The view on the St Charles Bridge of the castle side of the city

When you're on The Charles Bridge, you can't help but take pictures of the 30 statues that are lining it.  Mom thought it was a waste of time, but I couldn't help myself.  This is St. John of Nepomuk and you are supposed to rub the woman for good luck.  The dog side = bad luck, however most people don't realize this until after they've already done it.  Just a heads-up in case you visit!

A view of The Charles Bride from behind along with the castle wall perimeter in the background.

Back in Old Town Square where the Astronomical Clock is located, this is The Church of Our Lady before Tyn:  Týn Cathedral

 The Powder Tower

 A river view of the Old Town Side

Franz Kafka

 Just a cool building in Old Town Square.....of which there are SO many in Prague

  The Hard Rock Cafe.  Check out this building!

The Astronomical Clock in Prague

The clock first arrived in the 1400's and was

the most accurate clock built during it's time.

We were fortunate enough to see the clock open up as well as the trumpeter that came out and played at the top

This was the coolest thing:

A guy came out at the top of the clock and played his trumpet.

It regal fanfare!

And he waves to the cheering crowd...