Untersberg and Munich

6 Days on tour at the Untersberg and in Munich, 26. 9. – 2. 10, 2017
(by Christa)

Our second trip to the Untersberg. We are staying in Anger again, this time in a sloping roof apartment. On the first evening we explored our environment and discovered the small church with the crescent moon – a good photo motif. It was getting dark quickly, and so we stayed near the place.

The next morning we had an appointment with Stephan, who has some shamanic training and wanted to lead us to some power places. So we met at the “Marienheilgarten” in Großgmain. We would hardly have discovered this wonderful place without him: A powerful place with a figure of Maria standing in a herb garden, which is arranged as a zodiac with the corresponding planets. On her back is a spring spending healing water. A place to relax and energize. Just as remarkable is the church behind, which we visited the next day.

We then drove to the parking lot of the Hotelrestaurant Dürrlehen near Maria Gern. From here Stephan led us up the Almbachklamm to the Madonna, the section that we had missed during our first walk through the Almbachklamm.

The Madonna has its own history and went a long way. It is the gift of a German artist who has sought a special place for his figure and selected this one. At her feet lay a beautiful lilac flower, which we later found a greater number of in Gartenau, the flower of the artichoke.

We went further up into the gorge, found many cairns in the shallow water, and have waded through to reach – in my case with water in the shoes and wet trousers – a hut, in which Stephan had stayed, when he explored the region for several days. Again a quiet hidden place of power with a view of the gorge. The whole area, including the Madonna, has something magical and a beauty that has held us for a long time.

In the evening then a fancy Michael adventure – again in the parking lot at Maria Gern: Two tripods, a large and my small camera, aligned to the starry sky for a time lapse video. “So, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours,” Michael says. They became 5 hours, until midnight – a hard patience test for me. This was due to the moon, which simply did not want to go down, so that the sky would not become really dark until shortly before midnight.

The next morning we took the Untersbergsahn up to the Salzburger Hochthron. A panorama view and soon it became clear to me: Steep, rocky, narrow paths, if paths at all, alpine requirements! A questioning look from Michael: Do you dare? “Hm, okay, let’s walk to the Mittagsscharte, you may continue to the ice cave without me.”

The times at the markers have not at all been correct for us, they are valid for the young mountaineers who passed us. How does one deal with such a path with a damaged knee? Every now and then on all fours and with a helping hand – and that was even fun!

At the Mittagsscharte again a beautiful view of the mountains, which seem so unattainable. In front of our feet deep in the grass we admired the star-shaped white flowers. Here we did picnic and had a number of jackdaws visiting us, just as brazen, but slightly bigger than the sparrows we fed on our bike tour. The return trip to the mountain station we managed in half the time – so fast one can improve!

Arriving back in the valley we had earned ourselves a good meal and went once again to the rustic secluded place “Esterer” in Fürstenbrunn, to which Stephan had led us the day before. A place with the magical atmosphere of the Untersberg, which obviously also attracts corresponding people. On the previous day, we had been part of such a meeting, where light, energy and ancient events that were going on around the Unterberg were the topic of the conversation, stories that had also attracted some persons around Adolf Hitler.

In the evening up again , this time to the Hochlenzer, a well-visited hotel restaurant. So again setting up tripods and cameras – it was a colored sunset accompanied by clouds. After the sun had set, I in memory of the night before, went to the restaurant nearby and ordered a coffee. The landlady there was very compassionate and offered me during our talk about our photographic undertaking, we could also stay over night with her! But this evening was different. When I went back to Michael, he was already dismantling everything, and the coffee kept me awake in bed instead of under a sky full of stars!!

Part 2

We had arranged the visit to the Untersberg before the seminar with Vishen Lakhiani in Munich. The seminar was for us a continuation of the Mindvalley University in Barcelona and was on the topic “The Code of the Extraordinary Mind – be limitless”. Most of the participants had already spent some time with Vishen and his lectures on the internet and wanted to experience him once life; he was in Germany the first time. Vishen fascinates many people not only through his charisma, but also through his ideas of making the world a bit better and a more viable place. The participants’ commitment was evident in the question-answer parts. Particularly some young ones, including a 10-year-old girl, have shown with their clear expressions how open the young generation is for such a necessary change of our world.

In the evening, a meeting was held in the Fürstenbräu in Munich for those who wanted to experience Vishen in an even more personal atmosphere. The place was very busy and despite the reservation we could not sit all together – it was Oktoberfest! Nevertheless, we had some inspiring and very open-minded conversations with old acquaintances and many new ones. The joy and gratitude for the experience were a good conclusion for the 2-day seminar and also for our trip, which brought us many new impressions and experiences again.

How nice to start again and again to new and unusual experiences!

(Last photo by Alexandra Miu – thank you, Alexandra)

Shishani

Shishani
(by Christa)

One of our beautiful joint trips led us on September 16, 2017 to ……… the barn LindenCult, where an unusual concert took place.

Already the atmosphere in the barn with the comfortable chairs, a sofa, the bar and all the props has made me expectable.

The band “Shishani-Namibia Tales” has 4 members, who have already traveled all over the world, recorded the most varied music styles and joined as a band in Amsterdam in 2015.

Shishani, who gave the group its name, is deeply rooted in her home country Namibia, which is clearly heard in her songs, that she accompanies with the guitar. A delicate, intimate and then powerful voice, flexible and expressive, also in her movements, which she showed in a dance.

Just as tender, almost shy-behaved, the young Debby with an unusual instrument, a bowl in which a marimba is hidden, an African Mriba. I was tense on the instrument next to her, and when she reached for it, she conjured up harp-like sounds, a Kora. Her quiet, subtle style and calm song have touched me.

Completely different the percussionist Sjahm. He masters the music and the rhythms with his various instruments and impresses by drama and expressiveness – a master who knows how to draw countless stops and who is incredibly present.

A little out-of-the-way –  outside the cellist, who in the beginning could only be heard very quietly. He held his instrument in his arm, as if they had grown together, and the sounds seemed to come from his body. His introverted nature fascinated me and I immediately heard that he came from a classical school.

This mixture of classical elements, traditional African music and jazz, the always strange rhythms and changing moods were a deep experience and not only impressed me. The applause made that clear. An audience of all ages, that also could clap the sometimes difficult rhythms.

An evening, a music and an atmosphere like I love them. Such adventures are what joins Michael and me in a deep way.

Munich

Munich 06/07.07.2017
(by Michael)

Christa and I started a training in January 2017. The coach had build a new web side and just launched it – and guess what: It did not work properly. The web side had cost him 2 million and he had so proudly announced it – and it just wouldn’t work properly. He was very embarrassed – but his clients did stay with him anyway and even send him cake and food to support his work all night through to fix the problems. In return he said he would celebrate his misfortune with a big party – which is why we went to Munich that weekend. And we did come 2 days early to explore the city at least a little bit.

We had a little AirBnB near the old town (Maxvorstadt) which was great to start from. It was a loooonnng time since I have been to Munich before. This was when I was a pupil – must have been 15 or 16. All I remembered was the technical museum (the lightning experiments impressed me the most) and a very brought road which was obviously made for parades.

We did our first exploration the same evening – equipped with lots of tips from our great host. We passed by the Pinakothek, lots of restaurants, an ice cream shop with long cues in front (the ice must have been extraordinary) and then came to a (the) broad road – Ludwigstraße by the name.

We walked along it and eventually crossed it and headed towards the English Garden where we found surfers surfing the Eisbachwelle. Christa was amused because she is from Sylt and therefor knows surfers from the North Sea. Anyway it was not easy for them to stay upright in the limited space of the Eisbach.

Next day we headed for the center of the old town to see the Marienkirche, the old town hall and the Viktualienmarkt. The architecture is impressing and sometimes surprising: We found a basketball hoop on the top of a several storage high building. Impossible to remember all the places we have been to. Interesting the texts on some houses. this one translates to: “Everything a house should cover. Therefore, what is happening in there, do not babble about”

The Marienkirche had to be and at he old town hall a large crowd was waiting for the top of the hour:

From there it was not far to the Viktualienmarkt – basicly like a very big weekly market, but open all days of the week and with very good offerings. We had our lunch there and afterwards, being tired meanwhile, went back to out AirBnB.

In the evening we went to our party that was happening opposite side of the Isar. It was quite a bit to walk – but we did walk anyway. We met friends at a beer garden next door and then went in all together. I have to say we had good luck as I forgot our tickets – but we where let in nonetheless.

1500 did come. So it was quite a crowd. Nonetheless when we were sitting outside after the opening talk 2 friends came along that had been looking for me to meet me the first time in person. We till then knew each other from phone calls only.

After a rain shower we all went back to the beer garden next door because it was soo crowded. We had to dry the benches first. So we sat and had  a good chat and Christa found a new friend – the little daughter of a young couple sitting next to us.

When we walked back in the night we were caught by big rain shower. Even though we tried to protect ourselves in a house entrance we got quite wet. Not really a problem – just another little adventure. Next day we drove back home. Not a good idea to go to Munich by car by the way – there is just no parking space (as in all major cities).

Bye bye, Munich

6. – 8. Juli 2017 München / Fucked-Up-Party
(by Christa)

Thursday afternoon in Munich – 10 days before we have still been in Barcelona, the city that spills with life, joy and high spirits!

Munich is more subdued, bustling, cooler, already from the temperatures, although it was sunny and warm.

The streets are tidy and clean, the houses well-kept and the people restrained-cheerfully. On the great boulevard there are remarkable architecture and churches – many photo motifs for Michael. He looks at the city with curious eyes and discovers hidden angles and treasures (to be seen in his report).

I need to feel the city, to perceive its atmosphere and smells, to capture the people in their outfit, their movements and temperament, which was so easy for me in Barcelona through the openness and impartiality of the people there.

In the Englisch Garden: People were resting everywhere in the meadows. The surfers at the bridge in the artificially generated waves could not particularly excite me. For surfing, it needs for me the vastness of the sea, the waves that roll on from afar, the wind that blows the sails and disrupts the hair. This was a skills game and it found many spectators.

The next morning a stroll over the famous Viktualienmarkt. Here it is lively, creepy and colorful. It smells of fruit and flowers, of cheese and fish, of olives and roasted sausage. Seduced by all the odors, we landed in a small wooden hutch and chose a midday dish, without knowing exactly what we were going to eat there, but it tasted well.

And then the party in the evening. Here everything pulsed: It was veeery full, very loud and very omitted. I danced (barefooted) until my ears beat, and afterwards I had trouble finding Michael again. We finally pulled over into the quieter beer garden next door under a large umbrella, which always again had to keep a rain shower off us.

After a few timid looks, a little girl came to me and brought me a tiny little flower, then another and another – and we were friends!

How uncomplicated children are !! So there started a stimulating conversation with the parents and our friends that we met there.

On the way home we were caught by a powerful shower. I was soaked to the skin, and would have liked to pull out the squeaking sandals. But city streets are not a sandy beach !!

The next morning a last look at the city when fetching our car which was parked far away. And I knew, if I can choose, I’ll go back again to —
Barcelona!!

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

A visit to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
(By Michael)

I am having an aunt in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. She hit 95 meanwhile and is always happy to receive a visitor. To me this is an opportunity to do some hiking in the mountains and Christa likes to come with me. The weather forecast has not been too exciting – but often times when I come for a visit it is better than the forecast and the bad weather comes when I am leaving. My aunt has always been very perplexed by this.

The first evening – after 6 to 7 hours in the car – we firstly walk to Partenkirchen “only”, in order to arrive. It is nice to arrive first and I like the traditional houses there.

This time Christas greatest wish was to get on the Zugspitze – and so that’s what we did next.

Visiting the  Zugspitze
(By Christa)

Easter 2017 I did visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen the 3rd time together with Michael, to see his aunt in her senior-home.
“I want to the Zugspitze this time!” A mischievously side view from Michael: “On foot?” “No no, you may walk, I drive. Let’s look, who arrives first!” (Experience from elevators: Most of the time Michael was up first, but only, when the elevator had stumbled!)

In wordless agreement, we went to the Zugspitz railway station in the morning and fortunately one train immediately left in that direction. There where not many there still, but on the way many entered with heavy ski boots and thick backpacks, the skis were fastened outside the wagon.

At first the  landscape was at first quite gentle and wavy, with green meadows and small wooden houses. The higher we got, the harsher it became around us, rocks, narrow passages and the train slowed down.

In Grainau we had to change to the cogwheel railway, which jerked heavily and traveled the greater part of the route through the mountain so that we could see nothing more.

On the Schneeferner station was a large crowd. Everyone ran through each other and it smelled of pea soup and curry sausage. And already I had lost Michael and looked confused around me. After a while a voice behind me said: “You just need to follow the signpost…”
Had not seen this once again, and so we pushed, holding our hand, to the gondola, which took us all the way up to the top.

From the gondola we were able to see the busy activities of the skiers on the slopes below us. All ants, I thought, like ants on an ant hill…..

On top it was foggy, and instead of a wonderful view into the mountains huge buildings around us: The cable car station with many stairs, a restaurant, exhibition rooms and the massive material lift, which transported everything up. What an insane obstruction of the mountain world up here !!

Something oppressed, we looked for a way through the snow. The mist was no longer so dense, and we could now enjoy the vastness and beauty of the mountains and take pictures. The hunger then drove us to the restaurant. Sometimes we have fun at something crazy: We two vegetarians had a thick portion of liver cheese with fries!!

Well saturated went on the way back, with another break on the Schneeferner. Amazed, we watched the big jackdaws that flew around our heads, used to being fed abundantly !

We looked a bit longingly at the skiers – in memory of all the ski tours I did as a student from Innsbruck and later with the children !

And then we went downhill again with the cog railway. We sat opposite a young couple, excitedly narrating and then ……. they were asleep like some others, tired, managed …….. happy about the day ?

So that was the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, full of vitality to the hustle and bustle, with many buildings and even more lifts.
In the case of sunshine, clear sight, and without the many people, this mysterious mountain might have told us something about its secrets. I was still happy to have been up there !!

Halfway down we could look at the Eibsee, a beautiful clear and so calm mountain lake. And we decided to go there the next day and walk around the lake.

At the Eibsee
(by Christa)

Hidden, in the midst of high mountains
surrounded by snow and haze
the Eibsee.

The water surface flickers
in always new colors
from the depth of the lake – or
are they reflections
from the trees and mountainsides?

Almost unmoved, lifeless, and yet-
again and again a faint chuckle,
tiny wave circles,
a breath of wind,
which immediately goes away again.

No one except us is here.
The solitude is overwhelming
takes us into the depths of the lake
up to the mountain peaks
into our own silence.
Deeply connected to each other —
unified with everything.

Snow warning
(By Michael)

On top we went to Partenkirchen for a concert in the church with trumpet and organ in the evening. In the churches, I am always glad to photograph the peculiarities (in spite of the muted light).

Snowfall was announced for the next day – so not a good idea to go to the mountains. We went out nonetheless, in a modern church we found a carved figure and then on the way further figures of a different kind.

The “promised” snow then came in the night and we had to do the next morning to clear the car from it for our journey back home … .

Bicycle tour

Bicycle tour along the river Moselle on 22. of Juli 2017
(by Christa)

Finally a good bike carrier on the car! Less than 3 days old, when Michael came along to do a tour with me. So I had energetic help with fitting the 2 bikes to it and doing all the adjustments.

So with everything well secured we left of towards Cochem at the river Moselle, where there are beautiful bike paths.

The weather was comfortably warm that day shortly before the rainy season in august. I was fond on pace – on the bike I am able to let of steam, feeling the wind around my ears and just having fun. Michael, who did not use a bicycle for long – his 2 bikes are sitting in the garden and getting rusty – seemed to feel as much joy and power and so we did overtake each other, when not being able to cycle side by side !!

The most beautiful part of the cycle track leads through vineyards. There in the middle is an idyllic garden. In spring the whole garden was full of tulips. Now it was lush harvest time with tomatoes, pumpkins, zucchini, arugula, berries of all kinds, flowers and herbs. And also lots of wild things.

The garden is always open and it’s owner was there and told us how much he loves his garden and lets everything grow by itself. Nonetheless he tries to get a little order from time to time.

We tried some herbs and berries and then headed towards Bullay / Zell.

On the way back I had something in mind that I can never resist on my tours – having a coffee in a small café aside the way where you can sit outside.

So a bit uphill on a wine trail towards the café with a terrace and homemade cake. Soon we had two cheeky guests, who eagerly and cleverly picked up our cake crumbs.
And look, whatever channel of information they used – more and more of them came around and the cake dwindled! They were really brave and very trusting – and we had fun.

Back home we felt well refreshed with Moselle vineyard air, with joy over our fast tour and a very little bit tired !

Golden Oldies Festival Wettenberg

28. Golden Oldies Festival 29.07.2017
(by Michael)

After I told Christa about it, she wanted to go there and look. So we set off on Saturday, when the weather was fine.

The place was full of old vehicles. I’ve been there already twice. This time – or on that day – the American Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Plymouth of the 50s dominated. These vehicles are characterized by their size, the wide chrome-plated radiator grilles and the sometimes extremely large tail fins. An eye-catcher are they in sense.

 

But also the (textile) fashion was somewhat different at the time – and many festival participants had equipped themselves accordingly. It has been the time of petticoats. Appropriate music was played on the 10 different stages and one could besides suitable clothing also buy (functional) tube radios and TV sets. Nice to watch the Rock-n-Roll dancers (the video must unfortunately remain without audio). Obviously, this dance style is still cultivated in different dance clubs.

Before returning home we take the time to visit the beautiful castle ruins of the village.

In Christa it has evoked old memories …

A jump back in time
(by Christa)

Hundreds of polished, sparkling cars of all ages were parked in the streets of the village.

Most eye catching the overly long American vehicles of the 50s, richly equipped, leather trim in pink, turquoise, mocha, purple … They could not be overlooked.

Also German cars of all types – especially the VW beetle with sunroof or open convertible top (I once had one of those!) as well as many French vehicles – were to be seen there.

And look very modestly on a street corner, small and inconspicuous a Messerschmitt cabin scooter from the 50’s. And yet, he attracts a lot of attention and recalls old memories with me:

At the beginning of the 1950s, we lived on the island of Sylt to the very north. My older sister prepared for the entrance exam for church music field at the Academy of Music in Basel. To practice on the organ, she had to travel 20 km to Westerland each time.

Using the island railway took too much time. So one day she got a cabine scooter in silver gray – an absolute rarity on the island.

The old village church had an organ that had not yet been electrified. So I had to go with her and operate the bellows while she practiced (not an attractive job, but I got piano lessons in return).

She was 20 years old, I was 15, both long-legged and 1.78 meters tall. Each time we climbed over the side wall into the scooter, the neighbors stood around curiously and amused themselves. The same when climbing out in Westerland in front of the church. We were an attraction when we sitting behind each other in this looking like an airplane cabin vehicle chugged across the island.

One day even my mother – she was in her early 50th – went with my sister in this cabin scooter from Sylt to Basel and back – about 1100 km each direction! I do not know how much time they needed. But my mother enjoyed the ride!

And now there was just such a cabin scooter parked on the sidewalk next to all the styled limousines. I have moved several times around it and would have loved to take a seat inside!

Addendum (by Michael)

At the end Christa said that I absolutely should show my “Miss Morris” there next year. She would even help me with the washing and polishing …

These meetings keep me on track

We went to a meeting last weekend near Salzburg. The participants have all been in the situation of being left alone with some physical condition that nobody could help them with. They all share the experience that nutrition can help a lot to better the situation.

I just want to share one (for me) outstanding story: A lady from Mexico told us that because of a gen defect she always suffered from low hemoglobin and as a result of that from low energy and chronic fatigue. Optimal nutrition solved that and gave her the confidence to give it to her mother.

Her mother had been diagnosed with lymphatic cancer stage 2 originally. But with the marriage of her youngest daughter ahead she did tell nobody. The day after the marriage she got the family together and now told them and informed them everything was arranged … . The next day she started a very strong chemo therapy – she was stage 4 now.

With the help of the optimal nutrition supplement she lived on for 11 more years.

What revolution will I lead

Here – in Germany – at current senior care homes are build everywhere and in big numbers. And the furst thing when somebody goes there he gets a walking aid – one of those wheeled ones. And most of them spend most of the day in front of a TV set.

I do not feel well by seeing this. And why does this happen? …

Anyway – what if I could build a community of seniors that care about themselves, have fun and lead an independent and active life? This can be everything that gives them meaning – from educating themselves, learning a new language, traveling to even starting their own business. Their meaningful activities would keep their minds younger and physical activities would keep their body in a good condition – which allows them to enyoj their days a lot more than a soap on TV.

Yes …

What difference do I want to make

Good question. I am moving this question around in my head for quite some time. It’s starting to getting a bit more ckearer.

The idea that came to me can be summed up in this sentence: Stay young and fit as a senior. Of cause there is a physical age which you can’t turn back. But some are already very (!) old in their twenties. Others are 70 or even 80 and apear much younger. What makes the difference? Their thinking.

My favourite quote is: Your age is defined by your head. What does this mean? What do I want to say by this?

If your thinking goes like: I can’t …  This due to my age …   This is too hard to learn ….   This is too much effort …    If your are spending most of your free time in front of your TV set. If your are complaining all day about everyone and everything …   you will be like paralized. You will hardly ever start something new. You will have little good fun. You are old – in your mind!

If you are positive, having always a smile on your face, having crazy ideas, start new things all the time – you are you are young in young in your mind. And your bodies chemistry will react accordingly.

Of cause if you have been burned out already it might be useful, or even necessary, to help your bodies chemistry a little. There is great stuff available to help you with that. If you want to have some of it or know more please let me know. I will earn a little bit from it. But you are the one who profits from it the most.

My elevator pitch

I am  building a distribution network for an american company. Everybody should know about their products and everybody should have a source for this.

It helped me with my burnout, my trembling hands and the precancerous stages on the skin of my scalp.

I am doing this because these products are just optimal food – and optimal food puts our body into the position to help itself – what it is designed for. So it will help to more well being.

This is high value that I want to make available.