Berchtesgaden Day 2.2

After our currywurst lunch we went by a giant pretzel stand and decided to try one. I love soft pretzels, but this was one of the worst ones we have ever had! It was like all air? It was weird. Flavor was fine, just not a pretzel really? Raymond said it was like if you took a normal pretzel and inflated it like a balloon. So strange.

Then we wandered around town a bit spying on things until it was time for the Buttnmandl and Krampus run! So here in Berchtesgaden area they have a slightly different tradition with the Krampus - the Buttnmandl that is covered in straw! I saw this last year when I was planning our trip, but it was on the same day as the big Krampus run so we went to that. When planning this year I discovered they are two days apart so we get to go to both! And I am glad we got to be here for this! It was so much fun!! The straw was so big it was ridiculous!

They come from an army barracks outside of town and we had headed out to a park along the path a bit early and people were already starting to congregate (but not nearly as many people as the ones last year!) so we hung out there waiting for them. First came some angels on horses, then some donkeys with baskets of gifts, then some horse and carriages with little girl angels that threw candy out for all the kids. They were super cute (and there were a ton of kids watching!). Then finally St Nicholas and the Buttnmandl and Krampusse! We were right on the side in the front and the straw guys would walk close, but not that close and it was still like ah! Straw in my face! It was hilarious. And they kept stopping and jingling their bells and it was so much fun! We kept watching them go by then running up ahead again and watching them go by again and again until we got into downtown cause everyone else was doing that as well and there were a ton of people already waiting there for them and then it was like WAY too many people so we called it good and headed away from the crowds. We had been following them for over a half hour so I got to enjoy them! And I loved it so so much!Читать далее