These aren't really New Year's resolutions, but a few things we'd like to do this year. We know we won't do them all, but we know we'll also find some cool things to that we haven't thought of yet!
Travel:
Since we'll be using all of our vacation to organize or attend our wedding and honeymoon, we'll be trying to take trips that we can do on weekends or days from Munich.
;)
Suleyman MosqueEaster in Istanbul - For an annual trip with friends from business school, we plan to meet this year in Istanbul. Last year's trip to Japan had to be cancelled at the last minute, but we're expecting Istanbul to work out this time. I went many years ago but that was before having a good camera and knowing about HDR!
The Ice Church - This ice church in Mitterfirmiansreut (near the Polish border) looks interesting and like a great photo op. Now that we've been to our Igloo, it's only fitting we visit "God's Igloo," as it is called.
;)
photo from http://www.eisriesenwelt.atEisriesenwelt Werfen - The largest ice cave in the world is conveniently located just south of Salzburg. It opens again in May.
;)
Slyrs & Lantenhammer Distillery - After tasting some of their whisky and liquers, we'd love to visit the distillery. It's only an hour train ride away and conveniently located within walking distance of a BOB station!
Bamberg - We almost visited last year, but it wasn't worth going when most of the sites were still closed for winter. We'd love to see its charming old town and taste some good Franconian beer!
Skiing! No need to explain. Though it would also be fun to try the waterskiing place in Ascheim. I haven't been in years and love it
;)
SchoberhütteWe'd love to go back and do different routes on two of this year's hikes. We'd love to hike to the Schoberhütte at Fuschl (we hiked only to the Frauenkopf because we had afternoon plans). And I have a masochistic desire to hike UP the Höllentallerklamm to the Alpspix. We hiked down, and I don't think my muscles have ever hurt so long from a hike! I suspect the up will be more difficult, but result in less pain the next day.
Munich Sights & Events:
Above all, we'd like to spend more time taking advantage of all of the local museums. The Deutsches Museum would be great for cold, rainy days. And we're so close to the Münchener Stadtmuseum (City museum) and the Jewish Museum. And we've seen too few of the city's art museums!
;)
Beer gardens & Euro 2012 - While we have 2 more years to wait for the World Cup, Germany takes the UEFA European Football Championship (Europameisterschaft) just as seriously. It also coincides with beer garden weather...
If the city again offers free Bavarian folkdancing lessons leading up to the Kocherlball, I'd love to learn a little and go do the Kocherlball right this year. We'll have to arrive much earlier this year...
There's just so much to see here. We'll probably still go to the same festivals, but hope to try some of the smaller ones this year and take more advantage of what Munich has to offer.
Hobbies:
Finish the half-sewn dirndl that had to be put away when work got too busy - perhaps in time for a Starkbierfest outing! The top and bottom are both made, but have not been sewn together. Time to take the plunge! And of course finish my scarf. But that will take just one or two train trips to Frankfurt!
Photoshop - I received a great book on Photoshop for Christmas and I'd love to get better in using it. More importantly, to take the time to go through the thousands of pictures sitting in folders on my hard drive.
Kitchen experiments - I have dreams of trying to create some German fusion dishes. In fact, I might just try something this week. Stay tuned! Plus I'd love to make use of the cake decorating tips and the cute little Bavarian cookie cutters I bought last year.
Other:
;)
Christmas in July - I say this every year, but I'd love to do a Christmas party in summer. If we can keep it alive, we'll decorate the tree (he's potted, not cut, but the last one didn't survive summer on my balcony). Make some Christmas cookies and feuerzangebowle.... It's always too busy around the holidays to actually do any baking and decorating, but I'm tired of that stopping me. So, we'll just have Christmas again when there's plenty of time to enjoy!
Perhaps the biggest to-do this year for us will be the small matter of planning a wedding in the US. With a lot of legwork from my wonderful parents, Herr J and I were able to set the date, church, and reception over a few days of our Christmas trip and I found a wonderful dress. Now for all of the other details....
If anyone has other recommendations for fun and interesting things to do in the area, we'd love to hear them - or better, your plans for 2012!
Wishing you all a very happy New Year, or as we say here Einen guten Rutsch!