Innsbruck Christmas Market

Salzburg to Innsbruck Christmas Market

Haus Ballwein, Salzburg

After another wonderful breakfast and our goodbyes to Frau Ballwein, we head south on road #20 towards Kitzbuehl.  We are driving on a red road that goes through the mountains and winds through the towns.  It's nice to get off the autobahn and drive the country roads.  Outside of one town the Polizei are sitting on the side of the road.  In Europe, if you are caught speeding they don't bother to pull you over, they just take a picture of your license and then send you a "love letter".

Kitzbuehl, Austria

Unfortunately, upon our arrival in Kitzbuehl we discover that their market starts at 4 p.m. and it is now 12:30.  We walk through the town and then continue on towards Garmisch.

Goldenes Dachl, Innsbruck

Since Innsbruck is on the way, we divert ourselves to another market.  I am driving and we do o.k. getting to the city center and finding a handicap parking space.  This particular market is in the area of the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), Innsbruck.  There are several other markets throughout the city.  I get a cappuccino at McD's and we send a few e-mails on their stand alone computer.  Outside, the market is beginning to get busy as it is getting dark.  It's always more festive at night with the Christmas lights on.  It's a beautifully lit market and has some interesting characters "hanging" around.

This Guy is Hanging Out (Literally)  His Staff Seems to be the Only Thing Touching the Ground
Look up this Trick on You Tube (India yogi) 

A Gentle Giant

Marianne and I bought some beautiful jewelry from a gentleman who lives in Rome.  Each piece is unique using hand picked stones from the area.  He makes necklaces, rings and bracelets.  

There was also some cloisenne ornaments, traditional ornaments and lit up advent stars, and, of course, gluhwein stands.  There were not a lot of stands in this area.  However, there are more markets spread throughout the city.

The lights throughout the market were beautiful.  Many depicted what Innsbruck is famous for--their crystal.  The crystal chandeliers hanging above the streets, the lit up trees, and the crystal formed with lights added a lot of  "sparkle" to the market.  

Returning to the car, we decide to continue to Unterammergau, Bavaria, where I have made reservations starting the night of December 1st.  We are hoping that our rooms are available a day early.  It's a bit of a drive on a red road through the mountains.  We pass Garmisch, Ettal and Oberammergau and, like usual, get lost in the dark.  Our pension is actually a farmhouse on the outskirts of town.  After asking for directions from a resident, we find our way.  At the Innsbruck market, Marianne had enjoyed a bowl of Rosti potatoes and now they are not agreeing with her stomach!

Good, greasy rosti potatoes.  Umm, good!

We literally made it to our rooms just in time. Hope she's better after some rest.

We are staying at a Bauernhof--a farm.  Not sure what kind of farm it is.  I hope they have cows.  I love cows.

They do have cows!

We'll see in the morning where we are.  Our rooms are in an apartment.  We each have our own room with balcony, own bathroom and it's all together with a small kitchen.  Very nice and, of course, cozy with our down comforters and pillows.  There is also a flat screen TV in German, of course.  No, Steve, I'm not going to turn on the TV!

Since Marianne is not feeling well, I'm not going to leave and get dinner.  Our hostess brings me some hot tea, a basket of bread and a plate of wurst & cheese.  She also allows me to get on the farm's internet and I am able to catch up with the family and this blog.  However, now it's time to get some sleep, especially since I didn't sleep well last night.  So, once again, Guten Nacht.