it's a little late, but nonetheless, Fr?liche Weihnachten (Merry Christmas in German) to all! i celebrated X?mas on 24th Dec with the J?kels in Munich?in German tradition?or should i rather say, in J?kelian tradition?! (i am once again in Germany! visiting friends and having yet another white Christmas; this time it is with Frank and his family rather than with Sabine and hers, but we will be meeting up and perhaps going skiing near her home in Chiemsee!). Christmas in Germany is celebrated on the day that Jesus is born (at least it is what they claim here in Germany)?and in Frank?s family, the Christmas tree is decorated only on Christmas morning ?there are obviously many different family traditions regarding when the tree is dressed up, or how, or where, or with what?.e.g. real vs electrical candles?
interestingly, pressies are opened only after the ?Christkind? (literally translated as Christ child aka Jesus Christ?and is represented symbolically as the ringing of the bell) ?visits? the family?.sometimes he arrives before Christmas dinner and sometimes he appears after dinner?.but in any case, pressies can only be opened after dinner has been eaten, or so it seems!
this year, the Christkind appeared after a traditional dinner that included Wei?wurst (white sausages) from Schlesien, a place which used to belong to Germany but is now a part of Poland, and is also the birthplace of Frank?s Opa (grandpa). ?..and what did the Christ Child bring for me this Christmas? hmmm? lavendel bath gel and body lotion together with a bath towel from Family J?kel; probably because they have found out how deprived of baths (but not showers! i don?t think i stink! hee) i am?!, a book of poems by Erich Fried and a lovely photo to keep from Frank,?some truffles from my landlord?s family, the Orlowskis?which i am looking forward to gobbling up!, a lovely Nepali or is it Bangladeshi mini cushion from Ruth, and some yummy African date balls from Rafe, and lots of warm greetings from friends living afar?
it?s been rather nice to be back in Germany?.i had a quick weekend visit to T?bingen before Christmas?to meet Christoph (my thesis supervisor) and also met up with my old flatmates, Ute and Nicole, attended Ute?s friends Anna and Uwe?s wedding reception, and had breakfast with old schoolmates from the Gradschool before returning to Munich?but i will be back in T?bingen after the new year?to attend a seminar, and complete some additional work with Christoph, and also to pick up my degree certificate...almost forgot about that!
? in any case, i still have no plans for Silvester (New Year?s eve) but i hope i won?t have to end up partying with strangers?and in unfamiliar territories?! ?.until then?happy holidays!!!
glad to hear that you had such a lovely time! By the way, thanks for the sms and the card which i received just in time before Christmas! It was lovely!
Posted by: joan on Sunday, 28 December, 2003 at 23:32 hrsOh, lucky you! To be in Munich! At Christmas! Lovely, lovely. hope you have great plans for the new year. Remember to share! =)
Posted by: Van Heng on Tuesday, 30 December, 2003 at 07:48 hrsheyee thanks Joan and Vanny!
was really happy to be able to send handmade cards this year... glad they arrived in time.
thank you also for the card Joan and sms Vanny! :C)
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