KARLSRUHE, Germany: Medieval Festival

Karlsruhe Haupbahnhof

J, taking a photo

I am in love with this Irish inspired cloak!

 

Hungarian chimney cakes. J & I enjoyed a cinnamon & sugar one.

Fest food. I got this sour cherry beer from Belgium that was so flipping good! I had the beer & these yummy potato noodles covered with sauerkraut for lunch. Another shot of the chimney cake.

This guy was crazy talented!

Cheat treat # 2. ;) Chocolate-y & caramel goodness, with a caramel macchiato to wash it down. :)

Last Saturday, J & I and some friends ventured out to Karlsruhe, Germany via Kaiserslautern by way of train. It was J & my first train experience in Germany. It was so nice and relaxing to be able to sit and not worry about driving and just be able to visit with each other and our friends!


We went to Karlsruhe to take part in Medieval festivities. We were able to check out tons of unique vendors, including folks making yarn, Celtic inspired leather bracelets, and one of a kind jewelry, clothing and other wares. I love a Medieval fest or faire, they are so entertaining and always, always interesting. The music here is usually more rock like than what we are used to in the states. I quite like it!


The food is always tasty. We sampled a couple of things. J's favorite? A sandwich made from the whole pig, pictured above. Mine? I enjoyed my sour cherry beer very much, but with my terribly (wonderful?) sweet tooth, the doughy chimney cake ran a close second. (I feel the need to say that, generally I eat as clean as possible during the week. However, I know that a completely clean diet is not something I can stick with and be happy with for the rest of my life. I have to have the things I love, in moderation, of course. :) It works for me and keeps me on track with my goals to have a cheat treat, meal, day, occasionally. ;))


As I love color, this was a fun day to photograph! Lots of colors and fun going on! And, a great opportunity for me to work on my photographing skills. I am learning to be comfortable shooting in manual, and using more of the controls on my camera that haven't been used much until recently. Admittedly, I am saving up for a new camera, so I have goals until buying the new one, to keep me on track with getting better and learning more.


Until next time..

French Riviera: Exploring Nice

On any vacation I go on, there must be time set aside for touring, picture taking (a given) and of course, shopping.


We spent the day shopping and discovering things in Nice. The morning was spent in our apartment, enjoying fresh local specialities for breakfast, along with our daily coffee, before heading out for the first part of the day.


We popped in and out of several shops, then found a little spot for lunch. As with every meal we enjoyed in the Riviera, the local olive oil was in great supply. Honestly, I had never had so much olive oil in my life; now, I am most certainly a believer. The olive oil in Nice, in particular, was infused with spicy peppers. Sister and I enjoyed quite a lot of local variations of pizza, which we happily devoured as a side to our olive oil. :)


After lunch, we went in search of a tourism office, to find out how to travel to the local cities we wanted to visit. The signs weren't as easy to follow as one might think, so that was an adventure in and of itself. However, we did finally locate it and get the information we needed. Mission accomplished.


We thought instead of taking the same way  back to the apartment, through the streets and such, we would walk along the promenade and enjoy the view of the water. It was actually quite chilly much of the time we were in the Riviera, but we didn't let that stop us. For a potential once and a lifetime trip, one must make the best of it.


We, read: I, were very much in need of coffee and a sweet (or two). We found the cutest and most delicious little sweet shop! Emilie's. I highly recommend if you ever find yourself in Nice and in need of a little sugar. I enjoyed a couple of sweets. I had been wanting a REAL cupcake for a while, they just aren't something sold frequently in Europe, so when I saw them on the counter, it was on. :) Generally, I eat pretty healthy and clean, but sometimes, a girl needs her sweets.


After our little break, it was back to the apartment to let little dog out and take a little nap before our evening festivities..