And indeed, the next room is warm, and there is a woman wearing a red apron standing at the table. She smiles.
“Well, you two? Did you find your way?”
“Yes!” I call out. “We followed the smell!”
“Then come here. Today is St Nicholas Day, and we’re baking ‘Boxemännecher’. Will you help me?”
I don’t need a second to think about it. “Yes, of course!”
Emil and I knead the soft dough, shape little men, and use raisins for eyes.
“Perfect!” says the woman as she puts the men into the wood-fired oven. Now we have to wait.
We sit by the window and watch the snow falling outside. The woman tells us that the name Thillenvogtei has been around for over 300 years—wow!
Then she puts two golden-brown “Boxemännecher” in front of us. I take a bite.
“Mmm... what a great St Nicholas Day! I’m already looking forward to exploring the nature trail in the spring!”
Emil nods enthusiastically with his mouth full.
