Its Christmas time in Eislingen!

Well, it was...

So as you all know, I spent Christmas here in Eislingen/the area. I have to say that I missed everyone terribly, but I am really glad I chose to stay here. I got to experience Christmas in another country, and it was truly wonderful!
I baked Christmas cookies with my pseudo-family (Maya and Silke pictured). I sang in a Christmas concert in Ebersbach. I watched my school give their Christmas show and then had a traditional schwäbisch meal with all the teachers. And then break began!!!

Esslingen Medieval section!

Sarah Dunlap my co-worker and friend from summercamp came to visit me here in Eislingen and share Christmas, and it was something to remember. The day I picked her up from the airport, I made a stop in Esslingen, where there is a very famous Christmas market. It featured a medieval section lit only by candles with people in costume selling medieval objects and featuring games like archery and such. A really cool sight to see...and very romantic. Before you get all excited, though, I went alone. hehe
Sarah made it here without any hitches luckily, even though the weather in these parts has been crazy--snow and cold for ages.

Soaked, but enjoying it nonetheless. Meli, Benjamin, me.

Left-right: Florian, Benjamin, Sarah, Sara, David

Before we knew it, the big day was here: Christmas Eve. Yes, they celebrate the night before we do, here...which I think is pretty great. So I did what everyone else does that morning...went out drinking with my friends! I met up with some friends of mine for a Glühwein...which turned into 2...3...4...well, enough not to notice the freezing cold and the snow falling everywhere. I have made fantastic friends, here, and was thrilled to see some of them on Heiligeabend and cheers to health and the coming year and all that thankful gushy stuff.

We actually enjoyed ourselves waiting for that train! (with Florian and Sarah).

But I will say, this whole drink before you go and see your family concept was on that I approve of. Our evening was even extended, though, after Glühwein, some Jack and Cokes, and some friendly singing at Rock Cafe, the bars closed up and told us to join our families. I went with Florian and Sarah to the train station...where we waited for 1,5 hours for our 3 minute train ride. Every few minutes, we were told it would be a few minutes later. Thank goodness we were in good spirits, or there would have been some frozen, unhappy people at that train station. In any case, we eventually got home, and were nearly immediately picked up by Dave and Kris for a Christmas meal with my relatives here in the Uhingen area...

And Christmas dinner was a feast, just as it usually is at home (though it was the night before). We all opened up Christmas pajamas, then, and watched, at my request, Christmas Vacation...because one thing I missed here was the obnoxious displays of Christmas lights and ridiculously high energy bills that Americans like to put out during this holiday season. I actually miss this, honestly! I am looking at our house, Dave ;) haha

We then settled down for a long winter's nap...and before we knew it (although there arose no such clatter) Christmas was upon us! I was spoiled with an unnecessary amount of presents, even though I wasn't home...but almost best of all...we awoke to one of the most striking white Christmases I have ever seen!
There is still a bit of magic Christmas morning when everyone wakes up and the world has been blanketed in fluffy whiteness. Santa may no longer hold my attention, but cover the world in snow, and that child-like joy that used to accompany Christmas seems to find its way home.
After a long day of presents, movies, leftovers, and just plain laziness, Sarah and I hurried home to host some friends. Meli, Florian, David and Steffan came over from some Christmas drinks. At the request of my curious German comrades, I made my best attempt at bloody marys. They were not the best I have ever had...but I thought they were good. My friends, on the other hand, did not think they were good. Too spicy...surprise, surprise! But we played trivial pursuit...which though already a challenging game in English...basically felt like I really hard test I was failing in German. I gave it my best, though.
All in all, it was a Christmas to remember. You all were missed dearly. But I am surrounded by amazing people in an amazing place, and everyone took care of me, here.