Work, Run and a little town called OBERAMMERGAU

Greetings from Deutschland. Serving my country here during a crucial time in history and an eerie throwback to the Cold War.

Lots going on and the weather has been quite chilly with high in the 60s the last couple of days. Don't miss the DC humidity about now.

I finally got a day off yesterday after working 12 hr shifts and went on a trip to the Bavarian Alps to an medieval German village.

The roadway meanders through some of the most scenic parts of Germany, with many vineyards and farmland along the route along the Rhine River up to this Castle of the old Bavarian king. King Ludwig.

I have done some of the most amazing and scenic running of my lifetime
here. I have to say, its been quite thrilling and the air is so cool and refreshing that it feels good to just breathe it.

Just minutes away from where I'm staying, I ran out to the Black Forest where there is a historic Panzer Tank Trail where the German Army moved their tanks from one base to the other. Trail running is DC is great, but this the BOMB

The scenic town I visited yesterday is called Oberammergau--say that 10 times.

Every 10 years the entire town puts together a play called the Passion Play
based on the life of Christ, dates from the 17th Century.

It was first performed in 1634, following a vow taken by the people of
Oberammergau during an outbreak of bubonic plague, which killed 15,000
nearby Munich residents in 1634 – 1635 alone.

The frightened population of Oberammergau prayed to be spared, taking
a vow to be fulfilled not by a few but by the whole community. They
vowed to do something in which everyone, rich and poor alike, would
have a part: a Passion Play, the most sacred of all stories. They
would present the story of Christ to the world every 10 years forevermore if the Lord would remove the plague from their people. The town was spared, and a tradition was born.

The play is now performed at the start of each decade. Since 1860 the German text has remained virtually unchanged. The production is done in native German, but an English translation is available.

Though the cast is huge — 1,700 parts — performers must be Oberammergau natives, or have lived there for 10 years, or been married to a native and lived there for at least 10 years.

Performers consider it an honor to participate and leave their businesses to do so. The men even start growing full beards a year out to look authentic. The play is performed in the Passion Play Theatre on an open stage, which incorporates the natural setting into the
backdrop and seating for 4,780 spectators.

Wow, Almost want to move to Germany, well maybe not quite, but anyhow,
wonder what running in the dead of winter is like.... Well, better get back and serve my country and can't wait to wakeup for another run tomorrow.  SMILE...