Garmisch: Day Three!

Friday, our third and final day in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, was a mellow day, compared to our eventful last two days. We didn't have a specific time of departure, as I was going to use my Eurail pass in any case, and Brittany would just purchase a Bayern Pass, a discounted train ticket for use inside the state of Bavaria.

We slept a little later than the previous day, and enjoyed a leisurely, lengthy breakfast. This breakfast was even nicer because the morning before I'd carefully tasted everything offered, and so now I knew everything that I preferred. Bread with cheese and salami on top, muesli with yoghurt, and coffee.


Our plan was to take the Zugspitzbahn from Garmisch to Eibsee, and spend some time at Eibsee Lake. We rented a rowboat (6€ for an hour) and paddled out onto the lake. Brittany had brought a book and I'd (maddeningly) forgotten my book at the B&B, so I had bought a magazine at the train station.


After the lake, we took the train back to town and walked to the pedestrian zone. This area, which has been the norm for every town we've visited, is a cobblestone area where cars are not allowed to drive, usually with fountains and statues and the Rathaus (city hall) or a church close by. Shops line the pedestrian streets, along with restaurants that usually feature outdoor seating.

Brittany and I found a place that looked reasonably priced and offered delicious-sounding food, and we sat in the shade (both of us had had rather pink noses and preferred to stay out of the sun). Brittany ordered asparagus cream soup and salad with spezi (cola and Fanta), and I ordered Weisswurst, a Bavarian white sausage, a pretzel and Weisswurstsenf (sweet mustard), and, of course, radler.


I was just getting started on my sausage, when an old man, another patron, who had been sitting near us approached me. He gestured to my plate and said something in German. I asked him if he spoke English and he shook his head and gestured again to my plate. I looked at Brittany, who shrugged. He made a twisting motion with his hands, so I hesitantly turned my sausage over, wondering what on earth this man was getting at. He finally motioned for my silverware, which I gave him, if only out of pure bewilderment. The man carefully turned my sausage, cut it down the middle, and peeled the skin off the meat. Then turned and went back to his seat. I was a little shocked, as well as a bit embarrassed that I'd apparently been eating my food so blatantly incorrectly that he felt compelled to come and literally do it himself. But I said "Danke" and he said "Bitte" and waved it off, and Brittany consoled me, and I ate my skinless sausage, which ended up being really good.

After a stop at the local chocolate shop, we decided to catch the next train home.

I would strongly recommend Garmisch-Partenkirchen to everyone. The town has everything (hiking, biking, paragliding, mountains, lakes, etc.) and is both beautiful and historic. It even has people who will help you eat the local cuisine, should you unknowingly be doing it wrong. Great destination for such a short trip and I definitely would love to go back someday.

Tomorrow: Rothenburg!