Unmapped: December 2014

Guess where the Christmas tree tradition began?! GERMANY! Here you can find facts, legends, and a little more about what the first trees were like. http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml

German trees are very different then our trees. They are very wide at the base, and the top is a bit thin. The tree we ended up choosing was one of the more full trees.

In germany, it is typical to pick out your tree, then they chop it down. After we made our choice, we had to walk the tree home! My host dad was sick, so it was just me and Ilsa. We did not have to walk very far, because luckily the place was just down the street. I had one of those moments "I never thought I would do this" in the end we felt pretty accomplished us girls could take care of the tree.

I decorated it by myself, and I have to say, that was very different. They didn't have tiny little lights, instead they were fake candle lights. Then you actually hook real candles to the trees limbs...then they light the candles. I was a bit suprised when they were doing this, but they said it is totally normal! (They couldn't beleieve that we didn't put candles on our tree in Indiana.)

Then I decorated the tree with sparkly purple bulbs...just how I like it! That was our tree adventure for Sunday.

Yesterday I went to Hamburg with Alejandra. It was very fun! Luckily I got all of my shopping done, and we were able to check out the Christmas market. It was raining the whole day! But that made it more fun.😄

Tommorow is christmas here...I will tell you all about it.

I am sorry I have not posted in a while. After being given the evil eye from my dearest aunt patty, I suppose its about time. Fact: my computer is possessed and works when it wants. Fact: That has been my excuse. So now I am blogging on my phone...and yes that is set in german. So I shall apolagize for this weird non corrected English at this time.

Ok so Christmas is in only 3 days!! Ahh. Time is so fast. The Christmas tree is not up yet here. That is very normal, we will go and get it today. Then you keep the tree up until middle of January.

The trees are very different here, instead of being tall and "picture perfect" they are short, and very wide. They have a lot of character. Here is a photo of a tree I saw in Lübeck. This is very typical. Trees here all have those fake candles on them I think it is really cute.

Interesting shape!!

Christmas here is celebrated on December 24th instead of the 25th. My Hosties said that they go to church, exchange gifts, sing around the tree, and then eat wurst and potato salad. (It sounds very german!)

Tommorow I will go into hamburg for the day and do some Christmas gift shopping, and then go to the Christmas market with some friends. The Christmas market here is a very big deal. People all get together and drink this special drink it is called gluhwine. It is like punch with wine and it is served warm. They also have those almonds covered in sugar, and pretzels and wurst. It is very fun!!

Tuesday we will go Luneburg, it is a special Christmas market about 1 hour and 30 minutes away. For Europe, that is considered very far away! They all are really suprised when I talk about driving to Florida. They think americans are a little crazy! :D

Yesterday, I went to a play in Hamburg. It is "Backbeat: Die Beatles". The play was three hours long! But it was all about how the band started and there time in Hamburg. The play was over when they left hamburg but it was very interesting. I think that everyone was proud that they got their start here. The play was all in german, and I understood all of it! When you reach the point of understanding, the direct translations can get a little hilarious.

For example, when introducing someone, instead of saying "oh hello this is my wife sue" instead they would say "oh hello, this is my woman sue." I thought this is just hilarious.

A weekend ago, I had an Exchange Student conference. It was very fun. We went to Lübeck. It so so beautiful there. We want to the famous christmas market, and had a tour around the city. It was so fun! 60 exchange students barging through the streets is just a sight to see. I think we may have freaked out some people. : D