Hi all
I hope everyone is enjoying thier Christmas where ever they are and who ever they are with. I hope that Santa is kind and keeps the alcohol flowing! =D
Im preparing myself for the excitement of waking up on Christmas morning to a phone call from my family from home with snow falling outside, how cool! Ive never seen snow much before, and it has certainly been awesome to be in Germany over the Christmas period with a high chance of snow. There has been some laying around here and there, but hopefully we get some more over night. It has certainly been cold enough...the temp has been hovering between -6 and around 2 degrees celius throughout the day and night...although im completely used to it now strangly enough!
Ive had the best time in Treir and Germany so far. Ben has kindly shaufered me half way around the country, including to Munich, the famous Mosselle Valley wine region (i have now developed a keen liking of Mosselle Valley Reisling....mmmmmm) and Colonge, which have all been incredible. The Christmas markets, which are in basically every town, are extraordinary. The lights, colours, sounds, smells and people are overwhelming and delightful. Ive never experineced anything like it before. Nor have i grown to love and appreciate a certain alcoholic beverage so quickly. In Germany they serve a very popular spiced hot red wine drink at the Christmas markets called Glühwein (or 'glow wine' in English)...and it certainly does make you glow and warm up at the same time!
So here i am on Christmas Eve night, the presents already opened this evening (as is the tradition here) and im full of Champaigne, home made onion soup, sourkroute, chocolates, lollies, and wine amongst other things. Im feeling extemely thankful for such a fantastic experience and thankful that Ben's family have allowed me into their home at this time of year which i really appreciate, they have made me feel completely at home.
It hard to believe its Christmas time, ive never had one away from home, but im so glad i made the sacrifice, if only for one year. Its always interesting to see how another culture celebrates an occasion, and i guess Christmas is all about the same things no matter where you are...to be around the ones you love, showing gratitude for all we have and sharing foods and other tokens to demonstrate how much we care for each other. What a beautiful time of year.
I look forward to the next few days i have here, after which ill start making my way to Vienna then on to Italy. I wonder what other adventures lay ahead for me.
Sitting here my thoughts are with everyone dear to me at home, particularly Mum and Ty, Judith, Glen and Vivien, Tony and Colin, Tom, Evelyn, Jaimie and Kieran, Cheryl and Lawrie, MacBird and Sasha, who i would usually spend this time of year with. Im thinking of you all and wishing i could pop home just for a few days to be with you all. But until they invent transporters i guess i must rely on the wonders of the internet and other technologies =D
Take care all, seasons greetings, Merry Christmas and Frohe Weihnachgen!! oxoxox
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