Oberammergau

Our trip to Oberammergau began with a brisk walk to the train station. We bought our ticket and walked onto the train just in time. Bavaria has a very convenient transportation pass called the Bayern Ticket. For 28 euros up to five people can ride any transportation for one day. Even for one person it generally comes out cheaper than just buying a train ticket.
Starving by the time we made it to Munich we divided and conquered the Starbucks/bakery mission (we only had 15 minutes to make our connection). We took note of our next transfer and then entered into a good conversation. So good in fact that we nearly missed our transfer. We had been stopped for a couple of minutes already (trains don't stop for very long) when there was a pause in our conversation and I looked out the window at the train stop sign. "This is our stop!" I exclaimed. We grabbed our stuff and ran off the train onto a platform that barely had a train station. As we stepped onto the train, the doors began to close and we barely made it on with our backpacks.
The third and final train was tiny, taking us who-knows-where in southern Bavaria. After the allotted 40 minutes we heard - in the midst of other German words - Oberammergau.
"I think this is it," I said.
"This isn't it," Heather denied, laughing. "If this is it we're going back." The train station was surrounded by a trees, a river, a couple of houses and these two closed buildings.


We laughed for awhile, wondering why this was such a big deal and why anyone would suggest it to us (it had been recommended). At last, we decided to wander down what seemed to be the main road and, wha-la! We came to a cute little touristy village. Still starving, we asked someone where to eat. She seemed very anxious as she informed us that, "In Germany we eat at 12:00, so places close at 2:00 until dinner." (Daddy, take note). We did find a place where we had something between a pita sandwich and a quesadilla.
Oberammergau is known for its painted buildings...

It's woodcarvings...


...and its production of the Passion Play every ten years.

Wandering around, Heather and I came upon a pottery shop where they make what they are selling right there. While we were there he was making tiles to a woodstove. We were the only customers at the time and we were friendly so he let us see the storage room, too. Each of us bought a mug. Everything is so unique, even pieces of the same set are slightly different. They also gave us a map of Oberammergau and told us good things to see and do. Unfortunately, we didn't have time before our train left. So...I guess we'll just have to go back! It was definitely one of the best days so far.