12 Days of Christmas: Day 2

Today we started the day with a hike up the mountain Hochgründeck. It only has a height of about 1800m, but gorgeous views of the main valleys in the Salzburg Bunesland. After, we went sledding down the mountain back home, showered and had lunch. Then waited for the Friedenslicht to arrive from Bethlehem; blessed the house with incense, prayers, and holy water; drank schnapps with the neighbors; ate dinner in the older farmhouse and opened present. I'm truly blessed to have spent Christmas with a loving family, and to have received gifts from them and from my mother through the post. Enjoy the photos :-)

The village of St. Johan im Pongau is in the valley.

The mountain peak in the background is actually Germany.

The old owner of this house was a master brewer for Stiegl.

Chapel on the mountain