Garmisch & Mittenwald, Germany

On December 21, 2014, Mom & I drove 4½ hours up to Garmisch, Germany from Vicenza, Italy. We went to the Christmas market where I got hot spiced mulled wine (also called glühwein), a hat, & a scarf. Then we went on a 55-minute train-ride to Tirol that was free with our hotel stay at Hilleprandt (buses & other attractions were free/discounted with our stay as well).

Note to Ariel Viewers: Most everything in Southern Germany is closed on Sunday so be prepared to not do anything on Sundays other than church if you're into seeing a German service.

However, the train ride was nice. The landscape is beautiful: the mountains, trees, animals... It was breathtaking. In Tirol, we ate at the only café open & everyone in the café smoked, which drove us crazy, but we dealt with it. We ate two hotdogs, which were delicious & then a drunken old German man tried to strike up a conversation with us, but completely forgot how to speak English & gave up. We then ate dinner at Hofbräustüberl back in Garmisch & it was super good. Then we went back to our hotel, passed out at 20:00, & woke up at 08:30.

Mom & I both slept horribly despite the long time laying in bed; the beds were rock solid & very hard to sleep in considering Mom & I love our memory foam/Temperpedic type mattresses. After our free breakfast at the hotel, we drove to Mittenwald, which is a town near Garmisch. In Mittenwald, we saw awesome little shops, ate a great lunch, went inside St. Peter und Paul Mittenald Church, & I bought a nice leather backpack & wallet.

We drove back to Italy on December 23. I would definitely recommend going to Germany, especially Garmisch & Mittenwald. They are very small, cute, & quaint towns; the people are super nice, & the gypsy population is low, which means theft is low.

Until next time 💗

Follow me on Instagram: @arielview13

Serving the USA vs. Religion

According to CBS, "A Sikh college student has sued the Army, saying he cannot join the Reserve Officer Training Corps unless he violates his religious beliefs by removing his turban, shaving & cutting his hair."

Many people who do fit the Army's standards wouldn't dream of joining the Army, but this Sikh man wants to serve his country while still maintaining his beliefs & traditions.

I don't think it's fair that he has to choose his country over his faith to join the Army. However, this would mean the rules would have to change for everyone who wanted to look different because of their beliefs.

"The group United Sikhs & the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday in Washington, D.C., on behalf of Iknoor Singh, a 19-year-old from Queens."

I think it is important to diversify our country including our military. However, where do we draw the line for diversity? Is it wrong to tell someone they can't join the military because of their faith? I'm very conflicted with this story & look forward to hearing your opinions on this issue.

Here's the article if you want to check it out.

Until next time... ciao 💗

Follow me on Instagram: @arielview13