Error!

We spent Saturday night and most of Sunday with Peter, Bettina, Magdalena, and Sarah in Ludwigsburg. I showed them my picture gallery and Bettina informed me that my website name was incorrect (LiebenPazJoie). I was meaning to write "Love, Peace, Joy" but due to my limited understanding of German in 2004 I messed up the German part of the slogan. I think it says instead "To Love, Peace, Joy" instead of "Love, Peace, Joy". Oh well, I hope it gets the point across!

On Saturday night Peter, Bettina, Nate and I went to a Classical Open Air concert on the grounds of the Monrepos Castle (in Ludwigsburg). What a night it was. The main area near the stage was set up with normal "stadium" type seating, but the open lawn behind was covered with Germans celebrating in a "gourmet" picnic style. People had brought in tables, covered them with linen tablecloths, added candelabras, meat, cheese, you name it. It was beautiful! Most people were also dressed up in their finery. Well, we had never been there before, so we were in khakis and shirts instead of finery, but it ended up being a good choice. About a half hour before the concert started it began to rain.... and it rained for most of the concert! But, the stalwart Germans stayed put, enjoying the orchestra, opera singers, and for the last 15 minutes orchestra and fireworks. I never felt more like a German than when I bought a bratwurst simply for the sake of warming my fingers... and belly!

Here's a view of the castle during the fireworks show:


We spent the night at their house, accompanied them to church in the morning, and then visited the Ludwigsburg Residenzschloss for a tour in English. I showed you a picture of this castle earlier. It the castle that was the largest Baroque castle in Germany. The inside was lovely, I could have wandered around for hours.

Afterwards we went to a very old (and famous) ice cream store and ate what I thought was the best ice cream I have had yet in Germany. So delicious! I had an "Erdbeer Becher" which basically is just ice cream buried underneath a mound of strawberries and whipped cream.

Just a note. My brother told me that my Grandma B. thinks we are drinking too much beer in Germany!!! I have to let you know that I'm only relaying to you the "highlights" of our life here. Usually we have about two-three beers per week. Not too much compared to the average German, or American here!!!! In fact, one person told us that we were obviously not drinking enough beer as we were too skinny ; )

[Sidenote: I have posted our wedding pictures to the Photo Gallery. If you weren't there, or are just bored, go ahead and take a look!]