The last two months have been packed and more. Summer in Europe is hot (& without the relief of AC) and extends into mid-September. We managed to get in a little traveling (I’ll share a few pictures below) and this past Monday began the new German school year. It is fabulous to be getting back into a routine, and the girls are adjusting well. Plus, with a new year, I get to again see kids holding hands as they walk to school together, and that always melts my heart.
  | In August, Husband and I made our way to Bregenz, Austria for a night to attend the opera Turandot. Last year he had seen the outdoor theater, constructed on Lake Constance, and ever since was determined to go. We somehow managed to make the very last showing of the 2-year performance and it did not rain. I snuggled with my theater blanket and amusedly pieced together some of the plot between the Italian singing and the German subtitles. Afterward, Husband rattled off the operas he was interested in seeing… I, being exceptionally cultured, replied, “I really want to see Lion King the Musical.” |
Also in August, we drove as a family to the German Ammergau Alps and stayed in Oberammergau. The town is small and known for their beautifully carved wooden statues as well as their once-a-decade performance of the Passion. We explored the area by taking a dip in one of the Ammergau lakes, attending mass at Ettal Monastery, and sampling cheese from a local French factory.
 Ettal Monastery |  |
We also discovered & loved the Alpine Coaster. We clambered onto the lift up the mountain, and rode the individual coasters down. It was fun, although I admittedly slowed down Husband who was in the car behind mine. The Germans yelled, “Schneller!” (Faster!) as I pulled out. I like to pretend my speed was due to the 3-year-old in my car, and not the fact that I am an old woman inside.
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The following weekend we drove to Annecy, France, stopping through Switzerland to visit Zurich and Lausanne. I strangely was unimpressed with Switzerland. Their mountains are breathtaking in so many places, but otherwise, I find the country bland. Plus, I have difficulty moving past how expensive everything there is. To each his own?
But France was fabulous. Annecy immediately captured my heart with its stunning lake and rising mountains. We rented a peddle boat and took turns hopping out to swim in what is said to be Europe’s cleanest lake. It was incredible—and such a relief because it was hot.
But France was fabulous. Annecy immediately captured my heart with its stunning lake and rising mountains. We rented a peddle boat and took turns hopping out to swim in what is said to be Europe’s cleanest lake. It was incredible—and such a relief because it was hot.
 Lake Annecy |  Annecy, France |
We stayed in Thônes, a little town about 45 minutes outside of Annecy. Our B&B was planted nearly on top of a mountain and offered incredible views, even if the door to our rooms was reminiscent of a hobbit hole. The girls swooned over the mess of dogs and cats and goats that roamed the place, and Husband and I were served many entrees composed nearly entirely of cheese. We drove through the striking French Alps and even made a brief little jaunt to Saint-Jean-de-Sixt to visit Peter Faber’s childhood chapel, marveling at the numerous saints who had arisen from that time period in Savoy.
Thônes, France
The drive back to Germany was rough, but the trip was worth it. I fell in love with Savoy. It was beautiful, and chock full of cheese.
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