You thought my stories about Christmas would end? Not a chance!
The next day that we were in GAP, we drove to Austria. For anyone who has never traveled in Europe, it can be a great ordeal to drive from one country to another. While Austria may have some of the best and most well cared for roads in the world, you have to have a special pass for your vehicle to drive on the Autobahn and highways. In GAP, because it's right on the border of Germany and Austria, you can buy these special stickers at any gas station. If you're caught without one of these special sticker passes, you can be fined up the you know what.
That morning we stopped at the gas station to fill up and buy our pass. The resort is literally 5 minutes up the street and my mother in law has to get out to go to the bathroom. Then, everyone leaves me in the car alone. My husband goes inside to pay, J&S went inside so S could use the toilet (which you have to pay for), and then they all come back with food despite the snacks we had in the car ... again. I mean, I guess when in Rome ... at least my husband bought me an apple juice drink that I love called Granini. They make all sorts of flavors of juice drinks, but the apple one is the one I love the most.
This day, I was actually in rather good spirits. On the drive down in to Innsbrueck (which was where we were headed) we saw all sorts of fabulous winter sights that we didn't see the last time we went as it was summer then. The Alps were beautifully covered with snow and surrounded by fluffy clouds, cross country ski tracks were everywhere, and we of course told them the following great story:
In Germany and Austria, it is very VERY popular for vacationers to come from the Netherlands at all times during the year. In fact, the Germans we knew made fun of the Dutch saying they never worked, they were always on holiday. During the winter though, there are HOARDS of Dutch people that flock to the Alps. Yeah, sure people from all over come to ski and stuff, but the Dutch are exceptional. If you know anything about Holland, you know that it's flat - there's no such thing as mountains. So, they like to come down to get their skiing on. The thing is, they are notorious for thinking they know how to ski, but being horrible. They are so horrible at skiing that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of accidents every year related to the Dutch in the Alps. Now, because this region of Austria and Germany is very mountainous, hospitals are few and far between. Also, below freezing temperatures make it difficult to find and rescue accident victims. So, rescue teams have come up with these massive orange helicopters that they fly into the mountains to rescue injured winter sportsmen and women alike. In German, the word for helicopter is the same as in English. The word for the Netherlands however, is very similar: die Niederlands (dee nee-dur-lahndz). The Germans and Austrians love to joke about the Dutch and their horrendous efforts at winter sports, and one thing that they've come up with is called the "Niedercopter." The big orange helicopters that rescue the Dutch ...
We also tell them about our experiences at the Swarovski crystal factory. It's the only factory in the world that they have, and they let the public come in to tour their "museum" and "gift shop." I'd warn you away from it for many reasons, but you'd have to see if for yourself to believe me. Trust me. It's an experience you'll never forget. No, they don't show you crystal mining or making since it's all top secret ... instead you get to see their "museum" and then troll around the huge shop looking at all the crystals and things you can't afford to buy, but can't stop looking at.
When we get in to Innsbrueck, we park in the parking garage not far from the town center - which is where we were headed. They had a mini Christmas market set up, and we all agreed to visit it when we came back that way. We walked around the town looking into shops, admiring shop windows, viewing the hotel where Mozart and his father once stayed, discussing the Goldenendachhaus (Golden roofed house which is really just gold leaf if I recall correctly), and made some small purchases. We went inside the Swarovski store there in the town, and my husband, being the loving and sweet man that he is, purchased these gorgeous earrings that were treble clefs (because I'm a musician) and a matching bracelet with music notes dangling from it. I was shocked - I couldn't believe it. To this day I save them for special occasions, and I still have the bag it came in ... and the free stud they gave him for making a purchase!
Around lunch time we were all starving. We found a cafe that was up a few floors overlooking the town center. We crowded into this corner booth and ordered coffee, hot chocolate, and lunch. S & I decided to be adventurous and order the goulash. By the way, Austrian goulash is delicious. I can't even remember what J or my husband ordered because mine was so good! So, we're sitting there having our lunch and chatting about everything, when S and I notice the people sitting behind J. The man has an arm in a cast and sling (those European ones I told you about). We start whispering to each other and giggling. We were, of course, referencing the Niedercopter story. Granted, we don't even know if this guy is Austrian or German let alone Dutch. My husband leans over and asks what we're giggling about. Our table was U shaped, so J was the only person sitting in front of this couple. Since he was a bit farther away, I started whispering to my husband about the Niedercopter. J gets all interested in what we've all be giggling over and asks what we're laughing about. Of course, we can't say it out loud - every European knows English. They'll know what we're talking about. I say in hushed tones that we'll tell him later. For some reason, he figures out that we're discussing the people behind him, so he turns and steals a peek. Then, turning back to us he says "What? Niedercopter?"
We DIE laughing.
After our delicious lunch, we shopped a little more than went back to the little Christmas market. We looked around at all the traditional items being sold. J's feet were freezing, so we bought him some Alpaca or Sherpa woolen socks that he proceeded to put on in the freezing weather ... quite funny. We saw some delicious local fare and stopped to try it out. They were serving sauerkraut in bread bowls. We all decided to get some and then ate more. I stopped by my favorite little bake shop and got some sweet rolls and goodies for us. Then, we visited the church where Mozart performed. The summer before that we had went there, we saw a wedding outside and took pictures. It's a gorgeous church that is very VERY Rococo. Your eyes might burn with cherubs and drippy, flamboyance but the architecture and marble are beautiful and not to be missed.
On the way back to the car, we stopped at another little street Christmas market. We ordered some Gluehwein which smells like hot whiskey and tastes like hot Nyquil. Odd? Yeah but the great thing is that Gluehwein is pretty much the same anywhere you get it. While we're standing there drinking our hot mulled wine, these 20 something year old guys are having a medieval sword fight behind the booths. It was cracking us up. They were so dramatic ... and in so much trouble. The people working the market kept asking them to stop, to move and to leave. We videotaped some of it. It was a riot watching the little Austrians get all huffy about these boys who weren't even bothering anyone.
All in all, the day was great. We had fun, and I don't remember being grouchy. I think I might have been feeling better that day ... but that should have been a sign of warning of things to come.
