I’m slowly settling into my new home in Germany, and I already love the local town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The town was once two separate towns, Garmisch and Partenkirchen, but they were brought together by Adolf Hitler in 1935 with the anticipation of the 1936 winter Olympic games. The town is quiet, with an older demographic making the way of life perfect for an old soul like myself.
Most people that visit this area during the winter come here to ski or snowboard on the surrounding alps. I don’t do either, but will probably try skiing at least once while I am here. I used to snowboard when I was in high school, but I haven’t been in over 12 years. Fun fact: I broke my collarbone snowboarding when I was 13 and to this day during certain activities it gets sensitive.
I am living on a United States Army Base about a 25 minute walk from the center of town, and no matter where you go the surrounding mountains tower over everything. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is at the foothills of the alps, near Germanys tallest mountain Zugspitze. The views from the resort I am working and living at are enough to keep me wondering if this kind of landscape is real life.
Front of hotel.
View from my room.
Side of hotel.
This past weekend I ventured into town for a cup of coffee and a German treat after a rough day. I was feeling a bit homesick and needed some self medication in the form of exploration, caffeine, and sugar. Drastically changing my environment always has a bit of a shock on my system until I adjust and my mindset isn’t always in the right place, but after a good chat with my close friends (and engaging with some of the locals) I’m feeling better.
I was struggling to connect with the people I’ve met here, but I tend to get in my head too much when I’m in a new setting, automatically closing myself off because of my lack of self esteem. I throw myself into these situations because I know if I don’t continue to challenge myself I will never grow. Thankfully my roommates (I have two, and we live in a loft so I have the entire downstairs to myself) are wonderful, and my coworkers are nice too. However I’ll always be somewhat of a lone wolf, so this solo town day was needed.
It can be a bit intimidating to live in a country where you don’t speak the language, but I am making it a goal to learn a little bit each week, even if just the basics. I went into two cafe’s on my walk into town, one for coffee and one for a treat, and both of the women inside the shops began speaking German at me faster than a cheetah chasing a wildebeest. After a brief deer in headlights look, I replied with “Sprechen sie Englisch?” to which they both replied “yes.”
While I don’t plan to become fluent in German, I want to respect the local culture as much as possible even if I’m only able to say the above phrase (do you speak English) and “Ich spreche kein Deutsch” (I don’t speak German.) The above German treat was a shortbread like cookie sandwich filled with a nougat and it was divine. I’m usually an all things chocolate gal, but I took the suggestion of the employee at the cafe and was not disappointed.
I plan to explore more of the town as time goes by, it will be something easy to do after work or on a day off when I don’t want to go far. Currently there is a lot of snow here, with more coming every few days. I don’t usually enjoy snow, but I haven’t been too bothered by it yet. The temps are cold, but with my jacket and boots I’m usually ok. On the days where the temps were in the teens (Fahrenheit) I was in pain, but thankfully the forecast is mid to high 30’s for the next week.
I never thought I’d be excited for temps in the 30’s.
One of the things I love most about this small Bavarian city is the art on the buildings. On the hotel building alone there are at leave five different murals, and more along the way into town. One of my favorites is the one of a woman clearly in distress about forgetting the jam for her picnic, next to two male elk about to battle for a female elk (with one of the males bugling his little heart out), all while the jam-less woman’s husband is rock climbing instead of eating with his wife (probably because she forgot the jam.) My second favorite is the one of Dwight Schrute doing a German jig with the locals.
All that to say I’m enjoying the culture in Germany thus far, and look forward to more not only in the local town, but throughout the country as well. As for my job, I came here without knowing what I would be doing other than some kind of hotel work. I was placed in the food and beverage department and am currently working at one of two restaurants in the hotel. This restaurant is buffet style, which means no serving required and I’m 100% OK with that.
Serving in a restaurant when working in Yellowstone just about broke me.
Once I am trained in this restaurant, I will train in the cafe next door and ideally I will bounce between these two places. Serving Starbucks coffee (back to my roots) and the myriad of tasks in the restaurant. The other restaurant is an “order off the menu” style restaurant and while the money would be better, I don’t want that stress.
What I have to say about unwanted stress.
I’m working for the Department of Defense which makes me feel much more official than I actually am. I’m within walking distance to local German grocery stores, as well as the military base commissary and exchange for home goods and food. I am shopping mostly in the local stores because they’re cheaper, and I prefer the European food quality over the shipped in American food at the commissary. I have been eating a bit more freely than I normally do, and am trying not to obsess or stress about it.
One of these days my disordered eating brain will be a thing of the past, and I’m hoping my time here helps me conquer my mental health struggles.
For now that’s all I have. I’m hoping to visit Austria this week on my day off. The bus ride into Innsbruck is just a little over an hour, making it a perfect day trip. Ideally I would like to travel to a different country once a month while here, but we shall see what happens in time! I’m also hoping that the guy living a floor below me stops singing love songs at 2am, but I won’t get too excited about that one.
Q: Do you ski, snowboard, or partake in any other winter sports?
Blissfulbritt 
31 thoughts on “Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany”
pausesandclicks
So poud of you and all the obstacles both physical and mental, that you had to overcome/are overcoming to live in Germany. Our American viewpoint can be so narrow and having the experience of living in another country is so valuable! The great thing is, you know yourself well, you recognize what and why things can be difficult for you and you take steps to gather yourself. Don’t sell yourself short Brittany…you are awesome! Guten tag!
Brittany
Thank you so much for the kind words, I always appreciate the encouragement and support. ❤️
Rachel Allene
Oh my God. I cannot express how happy I am for you! It sounds like Germany is working up to be a dream. I can’t wait to read and see more of your adventures! I’ve been longing to visit Germany for roughly 24 of my 24 years. Someday. 🙂
Brittany
You must visit!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Love the Germany update! It looks like a beautiful place that I’m sure you will come to love. One of the reasons my husband and I have looked to move to Germany in the past (He worked for TaylorMade Golf, which was owned by adidas, which has corporate headquarters in Germany, so we tried to see if he could transfer there for a bit) is its close proximity to so many other European countries. You’re just a train ride away from so much, so I love your goal to explore a new country once a month. Looking forward to hearing about all of the places you go!
Brittany
Yes! I learned that Adidas headquarters was here on my way in, I had no idea!
Dorothea
ach! being in a country without being able to speak the language is rough, but you seem to be doing well. 🙂 And ha ha, Mukkefuck is a variation on Muckefuck, which is just caro-Kaffee, or malt coffee (caffeine free). Ich looks so weird to an English speaker, though! I just settled into Cambridge, and while I do have the language advantage, it also took some time to settle for me, so I know things will only get better for you. Hope Austria is a lot of fun! And you can also remind the guy downstairs about the quiet hours that are enforced by law in Germany 😉
Brittany
I will have to try that caffeine free coffee! That sound delicious. Glad to hear you’re settling in. ❤️
sunsetdoc
dein Vater ist stolz auf dich
Brittany
❤️❤️❤️❤️
lksajflasjf
Always good to hear from you! Love your new adventure! Stay away from unwanted stress!
Tess
Brittany
Thank you friend!!
stateeats
Oh Mukkefuck, looks like your adventure is off to a swell start. That cookie!! It is a well known fact that Dwight Shrute had German roots so it only stands to reason there is a mural of him in town. Enjoy EVEYTHING! And yes, it will get easier day by day. – Kat
Brittany
I love everything about this comment!
thesnowwoman
It looks like a beautiful town. I would love to visit Germany someday. Enjoy it, and have more of those cookies!
Brittany
I’m overdue for another cookie!
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gpavants
Hi Brittney,
What wonderful German winter wonderland. Have some great adventures. When you said DOD I thought about teaching. My wife and I have often talked about doing that. What a great experience. Hope you just take in the culture and that is part of the whole experience. Praying you get those peaceful times when out and about!
Danke!
Gary
Brittany
Thank you Gary! It’s been wonderful so far!
gpavants
I grew so much being in South Korea for a year, too.
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Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Wow, it sounds overwhelming and awe inspiring all at the same time. The pictures or magic.I love exploring different cultures and regions and you’re doing so in an amazing way.
That cookie.
We get excited about 30 degree days and 40 degrees will find us playing outside.
Brittany
Oh man, it’s been high 40’s here and it’s basically T-shirt weather!
P
“I’m also hoping that the guy living a floor below me stops singing love songs at 2am, but I won’t get too excited about that one.” <—– is that really happening? haha! hopefully he has by now?
I have loved following your adventures so far!
Brittany
Omg! I forgot about this, I haven’t heard him in weeks!
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Olta
Hey Brittany, lovely blog!🌼
I also live in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but I still haven’t managed to find the secret swing.😅 Could you please send me the directions, I’d be grateful!❤️
Brittany
Hi Olta! I will try my best to guide you. The swing is on the Kramerplateauweg to the left like you’re going to Stepbergalm (not to the right towards St. Martin’s Hütte.) if you are coming from the parking lot of the Almhütte you take the fork to the left as if you’re going towards Grainau. From there you make a few twists and turns, and there will eventually be a bench right next to the man made trail entrance.
The swing is at the top of the hill sort of next to the solar panels. You might have to hunt around for a bit. Good luck!