The drive was, of course, beautiful as are all extended drives in Germany. As we entered the Bavarian forest, the snow became deeper and the trees became whiter. Kind of reminds me of the crazy guy on TV who paints perfect pictures. I can never remember his name....you know who I am talking about....the guy with the monotone voice who is a little on the weird side with the poofy orange hair. Its like someone took the time to make sure every leaf on every branch had the perfect amount of snow to amount to a beautiful painting.
Ten of us embarked on this excursion. Two cars. This was also the first time I had ever driven on the autobahn. That was a trip. I got the car up to 180 km/h (the max because it has snow "shoes" on so driving any faster is dangerous.) I passed a few people so I felt like a big shot. =)
Anyways, we arrived in the city whose name I can neither remember nor pronounce... Mitterfirmiansreut. Right on the border of the Czech Republic. We were in dire need of a restroom. One of the boys decided to brag a little and did as Germans do...turn the snow yellow. The REST of us had to venture off with crossed legs to find die toiletten.
After a big sigh of relief, we mustered again and set off to find the church. The snow banks were incredibly high so we just had to stop for some photo ops and satisfy our inner tourist urge...oooh ooh me next....cheeeeeeeese....
It looks awful cold, but in reality, it was quite pleasant. I say that in relative terms. It has been right around -10C since we arrived 2 weeks ago so with the current temps hovering around 0C, it truly felt like a heat wave. On we went...
The ticket booth. 5 Euro to view the church. On the way up the steep hill to the church, there were several snow sculptures...
Alas, behind the immense fog and breath of panting Americans, it appeared...
The entire structure is built only of ice and snow except for the "steeple" which has a wood frame for support. The inside was awe-inspiring and the impact it would have at night can only be fathomed...
Very neat church. Very neat experience. They also sold Gluhwein at a small stand outside of the church. We all stood around watching the other visitors come and go, basking in the whole experience.
GPS's are great. MORE than great. How did people ever survive without them?? Apparently mine was set to avoid highways and we were not aware of this so we ended up going through the middle of Passau. That was pretty awesome. I was actually grateful we went an abstract way home to be able to see this picturesque city. I was busy trying to drive but a colleague managed to snap some pictures. I'll have to steal them and post.
All in all, it was truly a wonderful day. I am trying to really "live it up" while I am here. The snow church was only 2 hours away and we were home by dinner. The drive itself is worth a trip to nowhere. To have good company and a unique experience to boot, just makes it that much better.
Sidenote about the whole peeing outdoors thing: I'm totally serious. Almost every time I go somewhere, there is a guy on the side of the road letting it fly in the breeze. Even on the road from Munich on our very first day, SHABAM! Not even trying to be discreet or hiding behind a car door. Woah. Ok. So for as much as I am trying to be German as I live here, I think I'll still use the toilet and be just a tad American. =) (No pun intended for specific readers....) lololol
I have a picture of Tad...being German. At least he was behind a car!! ;)
ReplyDeleteIn connection with the anniversary in the history Mitterfirmiansreut the legendary Snow Church from 1911 back to life. In protest against the world that wanted to forget their remote corner, and to draw attention to their church cares that Mitterfirmiansreuter had begun in February 1911 with the construction of this strange worship.
ReplyDeleteAt that time, midnight and serves Hinterfirmiansreut, Alp and the parish pastoral Neuhausl Mauth. The long distance to the church was connected mainly in severe, long winter months with the greatest hardship, often for weeks had no possible service visits. Long cherished the desire to have their own church.
The poverty of the villagers and the lack of support was from outside of this target, however, began to fade. When the Mitterfirmiansreuter 1910 because of a heavy snow storm could not even attend Christmas mass in Mauth, germinated in the seclusion of the world the idea of building a church from the material that was present in amounts ranging: from the snow.
Due to weather conditions could begin in February, eager and motivated the villagers packed up with when it was built of large blocks of snow this unique church. The snow church was 14 feet long, seven meters wide and four meters high, were modeled after the Passau cathedral built on the front two towers. On 28 March 1911 was completed the church, a photograph of them even appeared in American magazines. Until well into May, the church, before they melted away under the warm spring sun.
With its projects, the villagers were successful Mitter, numerous donations to build a proper church were received. But only in 1923 could be built a stone school chapel, consecrated in 1925 and 1932, increasing to today's church. The canonical construction of Expositur Mitterfirmiansreut was 1930th Only then, the church builder snow of 1911 saw the great goal of their project. They have long since died, but her work is almost 100 years later as alive as ever.