No matter what the calendar may say, it doesn't fell like Christmas here. No mater how many times I walk through the markets or see decorations and trees, it just doesn't feel right. There's just something about opening presents on the afternoon of a sunny, 60 degree December 24th that doesn't feel right.
Also, I haven't been here for very long at all. It still feels like it should be August to me.
Apart from the weird feelings about this time of year, Christmas was really nice. And the weeks leading up to Christmas were really nice too. I spent a while in Frankfurt, walking though the Christmas markets and seeing all the decorations on the streets. That was so amazingly beautiful. The first two times I went was at night, and it was unbelievably crowded. I was body against body at one point, and you had no say in which direction you went. There's was barely enough room to move your feet.
I went a one with my family too. I was still early in the day so it wasn't as crowded, and it was so much fun. Everything was really pretty and well decorated and there was so much to see. The market was huge.
There were interesting foods like roasted chestnuts and German sausages. There was also a lot of Glühwein. I love it. It translated to "Mulled Wine" (if that means anything to you). It's a sweet, dark red wine that's served very hot. It's great for warming up if the evening is cold.
The rest of the market was really great too. You can buy anything there, and half the people are tourists who speak English. It's fun to walk around and occasionally translate for people. That's always a lot of fun.
Here, we celebrate Christmas on the 24th. The family went to church together and then we opened presents and went to my host aunts house for dinner. We had chili which made me so happy. My family in Alaska always eats chili on December 24th. Every year. I'm glad I didn't miss that this year.
My host family got me some nice presents. I got soap, gift cards, and chocolate, and my host brother and his girlfriend payed the entrance fee for the New Year's party that we're going to. I bought them all similar things, with some additional Alaskan presents thrown in.
Today is Christmas day. Actually it's midnight so I guess it's the 26th now. That's why my writing in all over the place, but I know it's going to be hard to make myself find the time to sit down and write during the day.
Today I just hung out with my little host brother. We started building the big lego kit he got, and I think I might be having more fun with it than he is.
Well, I really need to go to bed, but I promise my next post will come soon.
Frohe Weihnachten.
Happy Christmas.
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