Andrea’s Very First Blog Post – Germany Highlights

By Andrea Brett

I can’t believe it!  Our time in Germany is just about over.  At the beginning of this trip, I had such good intentions of writing a daily journal to share with everyone, but here I am at 2:23 a.m. the day before we leave to come home with only enough oomph to write a few highlights which I feel I must do while I still am here in this beautiful winter wonderland.  While we were eating together this afternoon, I asked the family to tell me what their “favorites” were from this trip.  These are in no particular order, just random highlights that we have shared and enjoyed.    Here’s the list: spectacular winter scenery, the best chocolate in the world, yummy gummy fruits, schnitzel with noodles (from the words of a famous song,) a fabulous ice skating show in Basel, Switzerland, a wintery horse-drawn sleigh ride, the view from atop the tower where the world cup ski competition is held each January, (we had to ascend a 270 step staircase,) a trip to the Hohenzollern Castle which sits at the tip top of a mountain so the valley can be seen from every window on every side, photos of Brydon and the shield,…

….the Weinachtzmart and night watchman’s tour in the medieval city of Rothenburg, cobblestone roads and sidewalks lining cheerfully colored villages, German farmhouses where some still live with their farm animals in their homes, (but don’t be fooled – they also love their iPhones here,) our daily breakfast buffet at the Park Hotel Wehrle (amazing breads, granola and yogurt unlike any in the U.S., thin, crispy and salty bacon, all served with charm and laughter by our favorite waitress, Frau Luckau,) Sunday church services in the small Gemeinde in Villingen-Schwenningen, the sweet generosity of our new German Oma, 90 year-old Schwester Steidler, Christmas Eve, complete with a candlelit tree, with our dear friends and hosts, the Weissers, a special tour of the recording studio where Singers Unlimited did all of their recordings and Oscar Peterson tickled the ivories (we got to try out the amazing Bosendorfer grand piano he played on),…

…steaks and turkey cooked on stones, finding out that Germans like Chuck Norris jokes too, gatherings with dear friends – too many to mention by name, but you know who you are –  in the basement of the Kurhaus each evening after our performances, (many thanks to the chef for the masses, my special friend, Maria,) hospitality fit for royalty, finding a treasure or two at a German thrift store, a morning walk through Triberg just after 5 inches of fresh snowfall, (a welcome sight after days of rain, rain, rain,) enjoying the support and love of faithful German friends and fans who were willing to stand under umbrellas in a chilly downpour to hear us sing, many who came to all 26 performances, understanding a little more German this year than last, Tom getting caught between languages and referring to Advil as “headache potion”,  the miracle and blessing of Briahna being able to sing day in and day out despite a crummy sinus infection and tonsillitis, associating with other fine German musicians, a delightful tour of the Schwarzwald Museum with Lothar and Hildegard, an abundance of happy noise and  hearty laughter, smiles all around, lots of lecker geschmeckt (“it tasted delicious”,) AND the opportunity to share all of this with all five of us together, PLUS Briahna’s new husband, Merrill…  the chance of a lifetime!

There’s really so much more, but I’m so sleepy now!  I just want to say thank you to all of those who have shared their love and gemuetlichkeit with us!  Thank you for opening your hearts and homes to us.  We have friendships here in Triberg that we will cherish forever.  To our friends and family and Mozart back at home – we will see you soon!