Happy New Year all! Glad 2021 is over though it did bring us a beautiful blessing of our first GS, born in Germany to our DD who is nurse stationed there in the Air Force. Today is our travel day back to the US and it’s bittersweet leaving after 2 months. DS was here for 12 days and DH 9 days. We ended the trip spending 4 nights at Edelweiss Lodge in Garmisch which is a military resort in Bavaria. DH, myself and DD have all served and are eligible to stay there with family and friends. DS and DH went skiing one day, and DS and I visited Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany. We also had a chance to visit the Ettal monastery where Schnapps and cheese is made. And did a horse drawn carriage ride thru town with the rest of the family. Last night for us ended with a modified NY celebration. Unfortunately no fireworks due to Covid. DD, DSIL and DGS are staying a few more nights and friends are joining them. So a 4:45 am taxi to Munich train station followed by a 3 1/2 hour train ride to Frankfurt airport. Then our 11 hour NS flight into Houston. We could have flown from Munich but the train was less even with 1st class train seats and the train terminal is at the airport. And the Bavaria trip was only added 4 weeks ago because we did not know what restrictions would remain in place in Bavaria. All of the Christmas markets were closed in that state in late November. Still everything was so beautiful and decorated and made for a relaxing vacation at the end of the trip. DS, DH, and I got Covid tested for free in Garmissch. Line was short with a 15 minute turnaround. No appointment needed. Covid testing is very organized here and masks are required everywhere. The FFP2 mask was required in Bavaria but regular medical grade masks were ok everywhere else. I actually preferred the FFP2.
Lastly, travel to Europe right now is not for the faint of heart. Covid restrictions changing all the time and I would recommend having your booster if you do decide to travel across the pond. Although I didn’t have a ton of expenses, I managed to do almost $2000 in spend on my new SW priority card. And applied for and used several benefits on my new Venture x. I’m hoping to get DD to apply for the Venture x before the 100,000 points offer goes away. She hasn’t quite grasped this whole points thing and thinks it’s too much work! She and DH do have CSP’s but that’s as far as they have taken it. Hope everyone earns lots of free travel this year!