The Weihnachts Markt is in full swing now, this will be the second week that it is pumping out the Christmas spirit via Glühwein, Crêpes, Mandeln, and other delicious foods! It also sports a decently large array of various Christmas crafts, artwork, and the like, including a stand from the world renowned Kathie Wolfhart Christmas store. This brand is one of the most well known Christmas brands and is based in Rothenburg, a nicely preserved medieval town with its wall still erect. I have heard a lot about the Weihnachts Markts here and there and which are supposedly really good, but have arrived at the conclusion (which was slightly validated by the agreement of my host family) that the markets are for the most part the same wherever you go in Germany. They are still going to have the same foods and crafts, they will just vary in size and size of selection.
The other big news is that this week has been the week of birthdays. Mine was on the 4th of December, Stefan's (Xenia's [my host sister] boyfriend) was on the 7th, and Arved's is today, the 9th! So, that being said, I can now drink! ...well, in the United States that is. I have had a few months to get a head start and a little bit of practice in here. I missed my family being there, however it was still an absolutely amazing birthday! Arved and Susanne gifted me with a scarf and a beanie, much appreciated and very much needed! They are always worried about the ignorant New Mexican leaving one morning and not coming back because he has died somewhere of the temperature. I understand this, in fact more than understand, I have felt this. It is so cold here. A wet cold. Not the dry, freezing cold of New Mexico. The kind that slowly creeps through your clothes until you are freezing right down to the bone. But anyway, I have received a bunch of supplies for the German winter now and I feel adequately prepared to weather it. Thilo, Xenia, Amelie, and Stefan also gave me an amazing birthday gift: Würzburg champagne, a chocolate St. Nicolas, and a Gutshein (voucher) for a plate of enchiladas and a cocktail at the "texican" restaurant in Würzburg. Looking forward to that also! Alcohol and calorie consumption are also effective against the cold.
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| I never had worn a scarf in my life before now and had to ask Susanne how a male goes about putting it on. I won't lie though, I do feel much more classy in it. |
I would also be neglecting to mention a huge part of my birthday celebrations if I failed to tell that I received a Gonzaga University t-shirt from Mackenzie! Now I can represent for my sister with a bit of official apparel while practicing my German at the same time, since I know there will be numerous questions about the bright garment with the ferocious animal on it! I have yet to add the word "bulldog" to my vocabulary but it is now an absolute must. I also received some socks from the family in Farmington, also much needed and a great addition to this clothing themed birhtday!
I think it is about dinner time over here, and then afterwards I think Arved and I are going to go to a Christmas concert that is at the local church, St. Andreas. There should be live music and also cheap Glühwein...two things that go amazingly together!
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| St. Andreas church with its Christmas tree |
Also, while being on this Christmas theme, I want to pass on something that my grandmother sent to me. It is The Christmas Story as told by a group of children from a New Zealand parish, and is quite easily the cutest thing that I have ever seen. If you have 3 minutes to spare you NEED to watch it! Here is the link:
Have a great rest of the week everybody and I will talk to you within a week this next time, promise! Happy holidays from Karlstadt!
