Nurnberger Volksfest

It's that time of year again in Germany.  The time to drink beer and be merry.  Always such a good time.  Having family here to celebrate the occasion makes it even more fun.

Justin's family came to visit us in Germany, so naturally we wanted to show them a real good German time.  We took them to Nurnberg since the town was holding their annual Volksfest.

Tim, Justin, me, and Joanne entering the Volksfest

Me and Jon in front of the May Pole

Justin tried to win me a bear playing a carnival game, but got a sweet cowboy hat instead

Jon, me, and Justin in front of the government building where the Nurnberg Trials were held

Justin, Jon, and me in the beer tent

Once we walked around the fest a bit we headed to a beer tent.  We drank some beer, played card games, and listened to the band play.  It was fun to catch up with family and have fun while doing it!

On our way out Jon had a try at a game and won me a rose

Overall, we had a great time walking around the fest and enjoying German culture.  Nurnberger Volksfest was the start of a great week with the DeLeon family.

Nurnberg Ostermarkt

Germany just loves to celebrate holidays, well anything really, but the most recent cause for a market and celebration is Easter.  Therefore, like any logical person would do, I headed to Nurnberg, or Nuremberg, to check out the Ostermarkt (Easter Market) with some Army wife friends, Laura and Heather.

The Ostermarkt was not as big as the Christmas Market, but it was in the same downtown square.  I just love the Nuremberg Market Square.

Left: Frauenkirche (Our Lady's Church)
Middle: Ostermarkt with all the white tents and people
Right: Schoner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain)

Laura, Justin's commander's wife, told me an interesting story about the Beautiful Fountain.  Apparently, the Beautiful Fountain was going to be a steeple for the top of a cathedral just down the street.  However, during World War II with all the bombing happening around and in Nuremberg the builders decided not to lift the steeple on top of the church, but instead to keep it in the square as a "fountain".  So they covered it with a concrete barrier to protect it.  After the war an iron gate was built around it and a ring was placed on one of the iron bars, now known as the Nuremberg Ring.  Legend has it if you spin the ring it will bring fertility or luck, whichever you need at the time :)

While at the market we were fortunate enough to see and here Our Lady's Church cuckoo clock chime, dance, and move about at noon.

The red dudes in the middle dance around the big red king looking guy while some of the blue dudes play their instruments.  It's really beautiful.

The Ostermarkt had a smaller selection of stalls than the Christmas Market, but it was still fun to look around.  I came home with a German "as seen on T.V." special peeler.  It truly does wonders with an onion.  10 euros special too!  I was looking for a special Easter something, but there was not really much Easter hoopla.  I love my peeler though. 

The food was amazing, as usual.  We had langos (yummmy!) and baumstriezel, which is basically rolled up cinnamon and sugar bread.  I believe at the London Christmas Market they were called Chimney Stacks.

Deliciousness

So there you have it, the fun of a German Easter Market.  Hang out with friends, learn some history, eat AMAZING food, and buy fun kitchen accessories.

Laura and me

Me and Heather

Happy Easter everyone!  

Though the celebrating, holiday markets, and activities are fun, I hope we all remember the real reason we celebrate Easter.  Our Lord, Savior, and Friend laid down His precious life for us, the ones who persecuted, mocked, and crucified Him.  Jesus did not have to do this, He chose to.  This is the best gift of all.  No market could every give me, or anyone, a greater gift of love than my Lord suffering on a cross to wash away all of my sins.  The best part of all?  Death could not keep Him down.  Three days later He rose again!  I hope we all take some time to reflect on the fact that someone, the King of Kings, literally experienced death and hell for all of us so that we could have access to God.  Jesus is our High Priest, and through Him we can have eternal life and experience eternal love.  He wants to draw you to Him, so embrace the never-ending love of the Heavenly Father.  Let's take up our crosses and choose to follow the risen Lord.  He is risen!  Alleluia!

Braveheart Battle 2013: Going Through Hell

Crossing and swimming through 34 degrees Fahrenheit rivers is not for the faint of heart.  Running up and down mud hills and mountains is also not for the faint of heart.  Crawling under barbed wire, electric shock wire, and a mixture of branches and twigs, if you haven't already guessed, is also not for the faint of heart.  Slush, mud, water, fog, tires, walls, trash bins filled with water, hills, rivers, trails, hay bails, ropes, twigs, and branches were among the worst of our enemies during Germany's Braveheart Battle 2013.

The drive to Munnerstadt, Germany alone was intimidating.  Rain was beating heavily on our windshield as Jill bravely took on the roads in her minivan.  Fog and gloom accompanied us the whole drive.  It wasn't until we arrived at the shuttle bus parking lot (where we had to pay 1 euro a person to ride the bus...rude) that the weather finally started to clear up.  Though still cloudy and a warm 41 degrees Fahrenheit, we made our way to the start line.

With numbers pinned on our backs, faces painted, and warm gear on, Justin, Jill, Maria, Mika, and I were ready to begin what would end up being one of the worst/awful/awesome experiences of my life.

Justin, Julie, Jill, Maria, and Mika
Before the Braveheart Battle (all nice and clean)

The course started on a running track in the Braveheart arena.  3,000 crazy dressed people were about to embark on something they probably were not quite ready for.  The first obstacle was simply climbing over some hay bails and "road blocks" on the track.  Easy enough.  But by kilometer 3 people were already losing their costumes and contemplating walking.

The next obstacle was a long trek down a steep and muddy hill.  Followed by obstacles consisting of crossing a river 3 different times, once at about neck high water levels.  By the time we made it to the monkey bars, which oddly enough were missing the cross bars, our hands were so wet a few swings in resulted in another river walk.  

We were able to run/slide for awhile along mud-filled paths before making it to our first chance to show off for the audience.  We crossed under a dark and smokey tunnel (and of course we had to cross through the freezing water again) and had to climb up the Braveheart wall, which was just a really tall pile of hay bails.  Then we had to low crawl through mud while being sprayed by a fire hose.  Once the audience was gone, of course we had to go back into neck high water.  Brrr!

Mika's husband and son were our audience

Then we made it to a rock hill called "Hell Steps," followed by "Muddy Buddy," which was basically 5 mountains of sliding down one side of mud and climbing up the other side.  This is where we saw the first major injury.  A lady must have slid down a mud slide wrong or something, because all I could see was her being wrapped in this body bag type thing and all I could hear was her agonzing screaming.  I'm glad I wasn't her, but I hope she's alright now.

After this we went through a trash bin filled with muddy water (something I never thought I'd say I have done).  Then we worked our way through several muddy trails and log bogs, until we had to run up and down 5 hills filled with trees and, guess what, more mud.  Those hills were hard on the old ankles.

We received some water and magnesium/caffeine tablets before heading up this giant hill, which was impossible to run up without slipping.  Then it was more running, pointless river crossings, including walking through a ditch, and climbing several more mud hills until we reached "Loch Ness," the most dreaded part of the day.  We had to swim in the freezing water over several sets of canoes.  All I could really think about was how I couldn't feel my body and how, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Justin was swimming close behind me, and the lifeguards kept asking, "All is ok?"  It was an experience.  And unfortunately, once we got out of the river there was no mercy.  Right away we had to low crawl in the mud under branches and twigs and up a slight hill.  Needless to say, I was happy to start "just running" again.

I will say that only in a German race would we be given tea at a water station.  And the tea was much needed.  It was warm and super sweet.  Oh so good.  Justin had 2 glasses.  Then we headed to the "Firefly" obstacle where we could run in between fire pits and had to climb over a muddy old car.  It was warm and much needed.  Then it was some more running until we reached a barn.  Here we had to climb over a giant hay bail, using a very muddy rope.  It was a little scary, and unfortunately this is where Jill ended the race due to a massive man landing on her on the way down the bails.  She got to experience the German doctor side of the race though, and she ended up being alright!

This station had more warm tea and nutella sandwiches-double bonus!  So we were energized to continue on.  We ran for quite some time, which gave Justin time to cramp up pretty good.  We had to stop and stretch a few times.  Once the German safety patrol came by and even helped Justin stretch.  Straight running also gave us time to realize how sore and tired our bodies really were.  Plus, it wasn't just "easy" running because there was constant mud on our path.  

Along the way we started to repeat some obstacles like the trash bin filled with water, "Muddy Buddy," "Hell Steps," the tunnel with fog (thankfully no river crossing under the tunnel), the "Braveheart Wall," and we repeated several river crossings a bit later (including the neck high water one).  A few new obstacles included climbing through tires and then over a pile of tires, all muddy of course.  Watching Justin climbing through the tires was quite comical.  I was glad to be small at that point in time.

With only 2 kilometers left to go we had to go through a trail of trees and brush and back up the steep hill we ran down at the very beginning.  Then we made our way back to the track and over the hay bails and road blocks, before finishing, Justin and I, hand-in-hand.  We were given our Braveheart medals and ponchos (as if those would warm us up).  Then we collected our hard-earned t-shirts and stickers and headed to the sandwich and drink stations.  

It was a long, painful walk to the car and a sore ride home.  But overall, I am extremely proud to say that Justin and I are Bravehearts.  As a Tough Mudder finisher, I must say, this was way harder and was a true test of what my body could do.  Justin and I proved that Team DeLeon is an awesome match together.  But we both agree: never again. 

Bravehearts, baby!

Berlin, Germany aka Ber, Ger

Since we live in Germany, we thought it was about time we start investigating our own country a bit. What better way to get to the heart of a country than through its capital? Berlin, here we come!

The drive to Berlin was a blast. We sang, danced (yes, that is possible in the car), laughed, and talked the whole way there. Driving with lightning fast speeds on the autobahn (over 100 mph), we made it to Berlin in great time.

Once we settled in to our hotel we headed for the metro to begin exploring the city.

Waiting for the metro

Since we were in a big city, we decided to venture out and have some Thai food. Though not a typical German food, it was delicious, and we hadn't had sushi in for-ev-er, so it hit the spot.

After fueling up, we wandered around the corner to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. Checkpoint Charlie was the only crossing for foreigners between the American (West Berlin) and Soviet (East Berlin) sides that used to be separated by the Berlin Wall. The museum had countless stories of ways people tried to or did escape from East Berlin, along with stories of life back then, people that tired to help, and those that hindered progress, all the way to the final fall of the Berlin Wall and Soviet control. It was a bit overwhelming to take in all at once, but very informative.

This is the actual sign that was on the Berlin Wall,
"Leaving the American Sector"

This is a replica of the actual sign,
but this is the exact place the sign was before the Berlin Wall came down

The back of the sign,
"Entering the American Sector"

This watch tower still remains

Upgrading Berlin with no Wall and a McDonald's

After the museum we saw a Starbucks and decided to end our Friday night with a taste of America.

Chai lattes and carrot cake :)

Drinking lattes, watching the streets of Berlin, no big deal

On Saturday morning we had a yummy German style breakfast at our hotel- cheese, meat, bread, butter- and then headed to the metro for a ride to see what is still standing of the Berlin Wall.

The metro took us over the Oberbaum Bridge and then we walked a little ways to see the East Side Gallery, as the Berlin Wall is now referred to. The wall is now painted and somewhat like an art gallery. There are many peace, love, unity, and war ending messages painted and written throughout the wall. 

The Oberbaum Bridge in the background (red looking castles) and
the beginning of the East Side Gallery

A unique painting

There was a small section of the Wall taken out,
and we found a nice view of the Oberbaum Bridge

A section of the Wall representing Denver, Colorado

Seeing both sides of the Wall,
Left = Soviet-East & Right = American-West

Next, we walked back to the metro and rode to Alexanderplatz.

A fountain in Alexanderplatz

We walked to Berlin's tallest structure, Fernsehturm, which is also the second tallest structure in Europe. It is basically a television tower.

Fernsehturm

Continuing our walk we came across the Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall) and Neptunbrunnen fountain, where we are pretty sure we gave some euros to "deaf" kids that were just taking us for a ride.

Rotes Rathaus

Neptune Fountain

During our walk we also came across several beautiful churches/cathedrals, including the famous Berliner Dom.

Marienkirche

Nikolaikirche

Marstall (used to be Royal Stables for the kings)

Berliner Dom

Berliner Dom

Lustgarten and Altes Museum

We continued our walk, where Justin fell prey to some true Berlin street gamblers, but that's not my story to tell. Let's just say he learned a very valuable lesson ;)

After losing on the streets of Berlin, we walked to Pariser Platz and Brandenburg Gate.

Brandenburg Gate

Pariser Platz and Brandenburg Gate

We continued strolling through the gigantic Tiergarten, heading to the middle of the garden, which seemed to take ages. Along the way we found a World War II memorial. When we finally made it to the middle of the Tiergarten we saw the Siegessaule or Victory Column.

I'm sure you'll agree with me the victory column with the gold on the top in the background doesn't look too far away, but trust me, this walk took a really long time

World War II Memorial

We (finally) made it to the Victory Column

The whole Victory Column

Our last stop for the day was to the Charlottenburg Palace. It was too late to go inside the palace, but it was beautiful to see from the outside. Again, it was a long metro ride and walk to the palace, but well worth it.

Charlottenburg Palace

We finished our night off with wine, pizza, and some German soccer (we watched from the windows of our restaurant). And our Berlin souvenirs joined us for dinner too!

Glass 1 of many that night

Warm at last

Bears represent Berlin, so we bought some Berlin Bears

On Sunday, as we were driving home we decided to stop for lunch. We saw these signs as we were leaving the lunch area. The perfect end to a wonderful trip together!

It's Raining, It's Pouring...Venice, Italy

We took a bus trip to Venice during the Carnival of Venice 2013. Our hopes were high that we would see lots of costumes and people in masquerade attire. However, the rain downpour kept all those pretty costumes hidden inside. 

Despite rain, Team DeLeon knows how to have a good time. We made the best of our 1 day in Venice by starting with a boat ride into the heart of the city.

Our first sight on this cold and rainy February day

Warm gear and umbrella: check

We took a short walk heading toward Saint Mark's Basilica and found our first waterway street.

Venice at its finest

 And we found this cool looking statue and our family business.

Statue

This must be the Italian way to spell DeLeon

Next, we stopped by the Ducale Palace and decided it was too rainy and cold to wait in line to see the inside, so we headed to St. Mark's Square instead.

Ducale Palace

St. Mark's Square

We were able to go into St. Mark's Basilica and into the treasury room. It was really pretty inside, but no pictures were allowed.

Outside St. Mark's Basilica

In St. Mark's Square we also saw this famous Clock Tower.

Clock Tower

After our fill of the square we headed to the Rialto Bridge. First, we stopped to warm up though. We had some excellent Italian pasta (yummy) and wine (which really did warm us up). Once we made it to the Rialto it truly was everything Shakespeare said it would be :)

Rialto Bridge with a Carnival of Venice 2013 sign

On the Rialto Bridge

On the Rialto

Once we saw the Rialto we realized we forgot to take pictures of the Bridge of Sighs, so we headed back to St. Mark's Square and the Ducale Palace to see the Bridge of Sighs. On the way we bought another umbrella because one just wasn't cutting it for us any more.

The other side of Venice (we didn't make it over there)

The bottom of the Bridge of Sighs

The top of the Bridge of Sighs

A blurry Bridge of Sighs at night
(clearly we were having bridge picture taking issues)

Legend has it if you ride under the bridge in a gondola with your lover then all of your dreams will come true. Too bad it was so rainy that no gondola's wanted to take us for a ride :( 

Once we saw all of these main sights we headed to another restaurant to warm up. This time we ordered pizza with our wine. Again, the food was really delicious and so was the wine. We walked around for a bit more, but it was just so rainy and cold that when we saw the Hard Rock Cafe (even though we weren't hungry), we made our way to a tiny taste of America.

The Hard Rock Cafe in the distance

After spending several hours in the Hard Rock a drunk German couple sat by us and insisted on Justin wearing their Carnival mask. So naturally, we took a picture.

Justin and his Carnival of Venice mask

Finally the time had come for us to part ways with Venice. So we headed to the boat that would take us back to our bus for the 9 hour ride home to Grafenwoehr. Before leaving we said good riddance to our Paris umbrella (sad day) and the other cheap umbrella we bought from a vendor, because they were so beat up from the wind and rain. 

Peace out umbrellas and Venice

As you can see there were a lot of other people who had to get rid of their umbrellas too. There were even ruined umbrellas lying all over the sidewalks. What a trip!