Jingle bells

Christmas in Germany is a very magical time with the Christmas markets and all the glühwein. The city comes alive and little wooden stalls are being built and put up in every possible corner. They all sell such wonderful things and each and every one of them has something different and special to offer. Alexa and I went to Christmas markets every chance we got and still didn't get to see all that was offered. It was a month of bundling up and sipping glühwein and looking at all the special products available. The first part of December was very cold and there was a lot of snow but then just before Christmas all the snow melted and the sun appeared. On the 24th (which is the day people in Germany celebrate Christmas) the sun was shinning and it was so warm outside it wasn't necessary to wear a jacket. I almost felt like I was back in California. I do wish that I would have experienced a white Christmas but it was nice to have some element of home with me. Christmas was a wonderful experience for me but definitely different than Christmas in the States.

Lex and I enjoying a hot glühwein in the snow at a Christmas market

All the wonderful snow before it melted

I went with my host family to pick out a tree and this was a week before Christmas. In Germany they don't put up the tree until the 24th of December which is the day they Celebrate Christmas. The tree just sits outside naked until the 24th. So on that day we brought the tree inside and set it up and decorated it. My host family doesn't put christmas lights on the tree but real candles. I have never in my life heard of such a thing but I have to say that it really brings a special look to the tree. The children went with their grandma to a church service while my host parents and I set out everyone's presents and lit all the candles on the tree. When the Children came home they were told that Christkind (baby Jesus) brought them all the gifts while they were away. Then they sang German Christmas songs while sitting around the tree. It isn't until after the singing that the children are allowed to open their gifts. Then we all sat down and had a big Christmas dinner.

Jurian and the winning tree 

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree

How lovely are your candles

What my host parents got me for Christmas....yes they got me U.S. dollars.

That was just day one of the Christmas festivities. On actual Christmas day I went with my host family to the Opa's (grandpa's) house to have lunch. It was another 4 course meal and it was so delicious. After lunch we went on a walk where we had a wonderful view of the alps and we watched the sunset over the alps. It was so absolutely gorgeous. If I had known that we were doing that I would have taken my camera but all I had was my phone so this is the best picture I could get.

On the 26th I went with the family to the Oma's (grandma's) house and we had ANOTHER four course meal. I don't think I have eaten so much in such a short period of time before in my life. It was very delicious food but I think I'm good for the entire month of January. My Christmas experience in Germany will forever be such a special one. I am so lucky to have spent it with such a wonderful loving host family.

LOVE is a four letter word

I got the wonderful opportunity to see Jason Mraz in Munich with my friend Sarah. I was so excited to hear that she was a fan of his music as well and that she wanted to go to the concert. I have only seen him once before at Outside Lands and I have always wanted to see him again. His voice is so amazing. His show was really great and I was really excited to see his band in action. Mona Tavakoli is so talented. She plays all different types of odd instruments and sings. At one point in the show she was playing Jason's guitar with a pair of drumsticks. I was blown away. Sarah and I were front row and in the center and It was so awesome because we could see everything and they were so close to us. I will always be a fan of his music.

German Thanksgiving

I don't think I could go a year without celebrating one of my favorite holidays and I knew my friends would feel the same. We decided that we would have a Thanksgiving dinner together and we were lucky that Tiffany's host family offered to let us host it at their house. It helps that her host moms boyfriend is American. They even offered to buy the turkey and cook it. It was one of the most delicious turkeys I have ever had. We all brought a dish to contribute and I brought pumpkin pies (one I made from scratch and one I made from the canned pumpkin), mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. There was so much food and it was all very yummy. It was nice to eat food we haven't eaten in a very long time but it made me a bit sick to my stomach. I think is was a combination of not eating those types of foods in almost a year and the fact that I ate to much. I was not the only one who felt that way...we all did. We took a walk around the block to try and digest a bit of the food and then we came back to the house and played charades. It was so much fun. Because of the turkey making us go into a Thanksgiving coma we all called it an early night. It was a great night and I am lucky to have such wonderful friends here. I did miss being home though and I went through a very hard homesickness period around Thanksgiving. It helped having a great support system here.

I am thankful for my family, my friends, and the love of the lord that is always with me. I am a very lucky girl to have so many around me that love me and that I can always count on. If you are reading this then I am thankful for you. :)

The girls waiting for the turkey!

Tiffany's host parents

The delicious turkey 

all of our yummy food