Off!......Like a dirty shirt

[Frank McGrath]

Details......Hmmmmm. 1st night in Bad Harzburg. Nice hotel, the Hotel Victoria. Walked around town. Ate in a Bier Stube. Very good meal. 2nd day, visited spa in town. Expected hot water. lukewarm and icy as choices. Wife wanted to visit the spa. We were picked up later in the day by the family we went there to visit. On to Osterweick. dropped our bags at hotel (also very nice), went to family home to visit. Talked, drank, laughed. nest day, prepared for Wedding. Dressed in my kilt and Argyll. Picked up and taken to Winegerode for wedding ceremony. We parked a couple of blocks away and walked to the Town Hall. Many stares.
Waited in square for bride to arrive in vintage Mercedes (owned and driven by her father). Several other couples waiting to be married or having pictures taken. I have never had so many cameras pointed at me. I kept gesturing toward the brides. Video taped the arrivaland the ceremony. Afterwards, I found out theat video taping is not allowed in Wedding room. The official never stopped me, probably she has known both families for many years. Nice ceremony then out to square for more pictures. I took a lot of film. Then was asked to bein family shot. Honored to be included like that. Onto a luncheon at a local monestary that has been turned into a park. Beautiful place. Back to hotel for a nap before the reception. 6:00 reception. German traditions are really cool. Bride and Groom must use a two man saw to cut a log to showunity in marriage. All of wedding party bringchipped china to throwand break in a pile. Bride and groom then clean up shards. Reception was a blast. My wifeand I sat at the head table. We were honored as the guests from farthest away. Father made speech and mentioned us. Introduced my stepdaughter and her boyfriend,special guest, Tom Jones. The Physicist, not the singer. Lots of games and fun. Then, the german version of musical chairs. So, I said, what the heck. I joined the game. Made it right up untilthere were two of us left. The other competitor was a friend of the bride, so I let her win. I just had a blast athe party. Left at 04:30 and somehow made it upstairs to room. Next day, wentto family home to nurse ill tummy with rest of family. Toured equipment shed with the other Frank, the bride's father. The barn is "only" 700 years old. He has restored several pieces of equippment, along with the Mercedes and is working on a 62 Audi covertible with a 3 cyl 2 cycle engine. Full machine and wood shops. Even a fork lift. Then dropped off in Gottingen for train to Munich. Finally found Hotel after 2 40 Euro cab rides. Next
morning, into town for tour And lunch at HofBrau Haus. Baaack to hotel to rest up for next day. Shopping for drndl for wife. then on to Oktoberfest. Took train to Frankfort, hopped on plane home. cant wait to return to Germany.

That is the short version. thanks

Frank

[Galician]

Sounds like a great trip! Good for you.
Many years ago, I was friends with a couple who were married in the chapel of Heidelberg Castle . I remember the broken china tradition. Lots of fun!