Me

Me and my Homeland

That's me. I was born and grew up in the beautiful Bavarian village Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located right at the border of the Alps and I therefore learned skiing before I even knew what school is. Skiing is still one of my favored sports besides windsurfing, which was not even invented when I was born. After finishing high school (in Germany, it's called Gymnasium) and spending a year in the German army I studied physics at the Technical University Munich. During this time, I also worked at the Fraunhofer Institute for Atmospheric Environmental Research. Guess where the institute is located! Right, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen! I stayed there for six years until I moved to San Diego in 1998. Find out more about my profession here.

The picture on the right shows

Home sweet home

Hirschbichlstr.2, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

my parent's house in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Here I've spent most of my life. For the last several years I dwelled under the roof. If you look closely, you can spot between two chimneys the ruin of the Castle of Werdenfels. It gave the name to the county of which Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the capital: The Werdenfelser Land.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen has the most important ski resorts in Germany, including the slopes on the Zugspitze, which is the higest mountain in Germany. There are worldcup races in downhill, super-G and slalom every year. Once the village was even hosted the winter Olympics. Apart from steep mountains, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers beautiful lakes, gorgeous old churches and original Bavarian culture (don't miss my best photos). Also part of my family is still actively practicing old traditions.

Neuschwanstein

The real Neuschwanstein castle (not the one from Disneyland) photographed from a small plane, which a friend of mine was flying.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is also in the center of the famous castles of King Ludwig II, including the most noted Neuschwanstein. It is only 20 miles away from Oberammergau, which accommodates the famous passion play.

Many internationally known artists have spent a great part of their time in Garmisch-Partenkirchen or in its vicinity. Amongst them is the composer Richard Strauss, who lived there for 40 years. The Richard Strauss Festival, which takes place every year in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, has now become an important date in the European music calendar. And finally, many of the internationally known expressionists like Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, Gabriele Münter, and August Macke, which founded the famous artist association Der Blaue Reiter, lived in the Werdenfelser Land and got inspired by the scenic landscape. Because of all these treasures, tourists from all over the world come to see this blend of pristine nature and pretentious as well as native culture. Also many Americans, who served in the army, know Garmisch-Partenkirchen since one of the European American Force Recreation Centers is located here. Check out the official websites of this jewel in the Bavarian Alps (don't miss the live cams!) and get envious while looking on the picture below with the mountains surrounding my homeland!

Panorama of Garmisch-Partenkirchen

View from my balcony at home towards the Wetterstein-Gebirge. Slide slowly with your mouse over the summits to see their names and some story behind!