Seiffen

If you've ever purchased woodworking made in Germany, it most likely came from some town in the Erz Mountain region of Germany (probably even from Seiffen!). Seiffen is a small, woodworking town that is home to miners turned woodworkers when the mining declined in the area. (To be honest, there are haven't been miners in the town for several hundred years.) Woodworking is the major source of the town's income. That fact is very obvious as on practically EVERY corner, there is a shop filled with more turned wood (a process unique to this area) than you can even dream of buying!

I'll be honest, I spent A LOT OF MONEY in this town both this time and last time. I purchased a really neat wooden angel display that turns when you light candles below. I'll post pictures of my finds at Christmas (that is, the ones I didn't give away!).

On our way into town, we went on a summer Rodelbahn (luge track). It was awesome, except when one of my students had a freak allergic reaction from the grass and his face/eyes turned red and started swelling up. We rushed him to the doctor! Thankfully, 2 shots later, he was fine and we all got to do our gift-shopping in Seiffen. :)