Wandern (not literally wandering this time . . . Hiking in Oberstdorf!)

Other Adventures . . . .

A few kids from my class and I went to see a Benefit concert last Friday night, and as we watched these really amazing folk singers, we realized our converse were the colors of the German flag. I found that quite entertaining.

I visited Altusried, a small outlying city where I will live for half of my time here, the weekend before last. Ulla and I went to the "Alternativ Markt", with everything possible from around the world. My favorite was the vendor selling traditional musical instruments from Australia. I also enjoyed the best Kuchen Ive had yet there. Ive seen these cows everywhere though, and just had to get a picture as we were there. "Die Faire Milch" = The Fair Milk. Farmers in Allgäu have been protesting recently in regard to the extremely low price they are getting per liter for their milk, since its their entire life support and they put so much work into it. These cows are raising awareness of that. The Finance crisis exists in Europe too.

Hiking in Oberstdorf . . .

I was talking to an old counselor of mine from Waldsee the other day, who now lives in Hamburg (Waldsee is the summer german immersion camp where all this started). He said something that just made me laugh. You really should know this Sonja, but nobody likes Bayern. I a smiled a little and told him I liked Bayern. He then responded by saying well ok . . .either you love Bayern (basically, if you live there), or you hate it. Theres no in between. I love Bayern. I also love Allgäu, my cow-laden "county" that I am currently living in. Last weekend Büchters took me to what some might call the "Paradise of Allgäu", or the heart of it - Oberstdorf. Oberstdorf sits right along the Austrian border and is home to farmers, hikers and ski jumpers. There really isnt anything else. We didnt take a very difficult hike, no mountain climbing with picks or anything, given that Ulla was sick, but we did take a hike up one of the mountains in Oberstdorf. It reminded me a lot of home, pine trees and maples and colors, rivers with pebbles, fresh air. It ws definitely good to be outside. After living so long in the country, I never realized how suffocated you can feel constantly living in a city. In all mannerisms it was different than when we go hiking back home, but also quite wonderful. We stopped for lunch at a mountainside restaurant with plates, silverware, and Reibekuchen for me (like a hashbrown/pancake with applesauce on top) after we got back, and I slept on the drive back to Kempten. Mila, Kathis friend joined us on our adventures, as well as Maxi the dog. We walked with the cows on this last Sunday, litrally. I leave you here then with a few pictures of "Paradise Allgäu".

Mila, Theresa, and Dieter prepared for our hiking adventure.

On our way to the top (with Maxi) Me, Ulla and Katharina.

the Bahn (Gondola) we took to the top, then hiked down. (called BREITACH Klamm)

Looking down at Oberstdorf, across at the border to Austria.

My face plastered against the Austrian border.

Theresa and Ulla stop to pet the little guy as we got through the fence to get down the road. He didnt like me as much, I had to run to catch up with him. You could hear them from miles away though with their monstrous bells around their necks . . .

Walking right next to the cows . . . typical Allgäu.

The family :)

I dont really look like a fit do I? Germans are always prepared for anything. Theresa put mascara on to go hiking, and Katharina brought her glasses case and wore pearl earrings hiking. It wasnt very intense I admit, but I guess I was just prepared for more. Wolf Ridge has left me unprepared for Europe.

Chillin next to the cow . . . After coming down from the highest part of the mountain and the protected state park area, we hit a farmers cow corral. Like everywhere in Allgäu. I was kind of scared this one was going to fart on me or kick me or something . . . but he was quite nice to me. Just hanging out sleeping in the sun, next to all the hikers.

Not many birch trees (birken baume), but the Bücher trees are very common. (Beech trees!) They turn a yellow color, then brown. Unfortunately, most of the leaves are about gone by now. Of course, the colors arent near as pretty as back home - but theyre pretty sweet (just like glucose!).

Mila (Katharinas fellow Rotary exchange student in Argentina last year, currently back in her home town of Essen, Germany) and Theresa stopping for a rest. Mila stayed with us for the weekend, to spend some time with Kathi.

Fall Colors! Allgäu (my "county") is experiencing a "Golden Oktober" right now, similar to the Indian Summers back home (which for some reason they absolutely love. Oh, your from the States? I heard theyre experiencing a wonderful Indian Summer right now.)

The Ski Jump - Oberstdorf is home to one of the primary ski jumping training and competing areas in all of Germany. There are two jumps in the area, and we passed right by this one. I can ski, but I dont think I would ever have the guts to do that. I think the record set there was like 270 something meters . . . eek.

Just like Minnesota! A small lake we passed in the late stages of our hike.

Looking across at the Alps - Austrian border.

I hope its still sunny back home! Its started to rain here again - the November cold is here. Novermber gales are the worst here as well apparently, only in massive amounts of rain. Just like Gordon Lightfoot so memorably said about Superior.