I spent the week around Christmas with Astrid and her family in Siegen. It was nice to be in a family setting for Christmas and actually be able to Skype with my parents for the first since I got here. I enjoyed the full three days of the German celebrating tradition. Only after the third Christmas day was over, did it finally snow.
Be prepared for stereotypical food and wintery photos.
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| Breakfast. Or better known as Wurstception. Wurst with wurst. Cheese with Wurst. Wurst with Cheese. |
On the 24th, we had to eat our dinner like good boys and girls and listen closely for the bell saying that St. Niklaus had stopped by to bring out presents.
Many rounds of cards were played.
The next day we went for a walk around Biggesee to work a little bit of the extra Christmas weight.
And the next morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. Easiest way to turn three college-aged adults into small children? Snow. And ice skating. I couldn't find those photos but those may appear in a later post.
Even though Siegen tends to get made fun of, it's quite beautiful when snow covered.
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| I can't resist: Astrid wanted to build a snowman |
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| Sugar overdose due to Naschwerk |
The next morning, Svenja arrived to drive us to the very southern part of Baden Wurttemburg. Since everything was still snow covered, we made a short sightseeing tour of the area and a short sledding excursion. Being so close to France and Switzerland, I spend a good amount of time trying to figure out which border we had just crossed.
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| Apparently Weil am Rhein is known for chairs and they are everywhere |
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| On the French border |
In order to continue on my trip, I had to purchase my train ticket and it would be easier to leave from the Swiss station. Cue adventures in Basil.
The train ride to Rome was uneventful. It's oddly peaceful to be listening to "Pines of Rome: the Appian Way" while traveling through the Alps, Rome-ward with snow gently falling. I noticed when the train changed Cantons when the announcements were given in Italian first. I fell asleep in the snowy Alps and woke up to see the snow behind me and the sunny Dolomites before me. It was a much better ride than my last trip to Rome. It also gave me time to spend on my graduate school applications. It's amazing how much editing one can get done with 8 hours in trains.
This time I was going to enjoy:
1. Not being sick/voiceless
2.No rushing around to see all of the "Must Sees"
3. Having sunshine almost every day
I spent New Years (Silvestern) on the rooftop of a community center with my cousins, Marco and Maria Cristina. Seeing as it was much colder than expected, not many people were out and about. I still think it's because the natives thought the end was neigh and were preparing for Armageddon. It was still extremely enjoyable, albeit it noisy and slightly terrifying. The Italians love their fireworks. The city erupted into the new year on all sides. It was a beautiful, clear night and I was astounded by how many stars I could see, even with all of the lights. It was truly breath taking.
We just had a lazy 1st of the year. Roamed around a bit. Yes, I see the pun, and it's going to stay there.
On Saturday, we made the trek down to Naples. I didn't realize how assimilated I have become into the German culture until we got into the chaos that is Naples. I needed traffic rules. Order. Something to make sense. I can't call Rome chaotic anymore, at least it's organized in its chaotic ways. Naples made no sense. My theory is when you live near an active volcano, you begin to truly embody the "You Only Live Once" (YOLO) lifestyle. But it was beautiful, the food was good, and I got to experience the Christmas custom of the Presepe. FYI I'm now in love with buffalo mozzarella, I think I should just make a cheese tasting tour through Europe. Any takers?
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| It was too cloudy to see Vesuvius |
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| These street musicians were really good |
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| Pizza Margherita with buffalo mozzarella |
We lucked out because the state owned museums are free on the first Sunday of the month. So we waited in line to get into Castel St. Angelo. It was definitely worth standing in line for. Please we got the free entertainment of police chasing down street vendors. The view from the top are incredible and it's so huge that even though there are another 300 people in there at the same time, you don't even notice.
Since we were in the neighborhood, we stopped by St. Peter's to see the Christmas tree and Presepe.
Then it was time to head back to Switzerland and Germany.
Upon returning back to Svenja's, we made a side trip to a local castle ruin, Burg Rötteln.
We made another day trip to Freiburg.
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| When in the Black Forest, eat Schwarzwälderkirschtorte |
We also made a side trip to France for eclaires and to show me how different things look even though the cultures are only separated by the Rhein.
Then, sadly, it was time to get on the bus and make the trip back to Gießen for the start of the semester.
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