Holiday travels

On Dec 24th we took the train to Göttingen, where our good friends the Salditts had invited us to share Christmas with them.  This meant, of course, packing up a few presents to bring with (and bring back) so the suitcase situation on the crowded trains was a little awkward, but we managed.  First, though, the morning of the 24th, we had a little present-opening in our apartment:

Julia with her Ikea star-shade floor lamp

We got to Salditt's mid-afternoon, in time for a quick cup of tea before heading to their church to see the pageant which Nicole was directing and all four girls were in.  Annalena, 18, (co-opted as soon as she got home from University) and Marie, 17, did a lot of singing; Clara, 10, played Mary, and Lottie, 8, was a not-at-all-shy child commentator.  It was fun to see them all up front in their packed church.
  Then when we returned to their house, the real excitement began, as Germans celebrate Christmas on the eve of the 24th, with a family dinner and opening presents all intertwined until about midnight!

Julia, Marie, Nicole's parents (the Kleins), me, Tim serving wine, the back of the younger girls heads...
[It was hard to get a picture everyone, with people jumping up and down before the meal started.]

Fondue!  Which Benjamin loved...

Presents (from the Christkind, not from Santa Claus) were opened before dinner, then before desert, but mostly after the meal.

Lottie and Benjamin looking at the Fischertechnik car that Benjamin
received and then built for most of the night.

Marie, Tim, Clara and Annalena Salditt reading a photo book from their trip to Israel, with me and Julia looking on.

Poor Nicole was understandably exhausted by 11 pm or so

After sleeping late on Christmas day, we took a walk through the town of Göttingen, which is a picturesque German town, famous for its university (and many houses there have name plaques attached saying which famous scholar lived there).  It is very old -- many houses we saw were built in the 1400's -- and fortunately the town is remarkably-well preserved since it suffered relatively little WWII damage.  Walking through the old district near the university feels almost like you could be in the middle ages.  Too bad I didn't have my camera!

                                                                                                     On the 26th, we took the train to Neuwied, Thomas's home town.  Oma/Johanna welcomed us with drinks and cookies, and by lighting the (real!) candles on the tree.

Julia entertains the two older generations with apps on her iPod...

We had a relaxing three days in Neuwied, with not much on the agenda:  Thomas and I explored the neighboring town of Koblenz, Julia had a hot chocolate and visit downtown with her great-aunt Doris, Benjamin played with Thomas's childhood toys in his old room, and we enjoyed talking to Johanna and Rolf.  Thomas also had organized a small reunion with some of his Gymnasium (high school) friends one evening, for which I tagged along.  These days I can follow the conversation and actually participate!

With more presents, more good food and drink, our holiday celebrations were extended over several days.  It was nice to spread out the festivities -- and have other people cook for you!




(Unfortunately, Benjamin had brought along a cold, which was then passed to me, luckily briefly, then to Thomas, then Julia.  The two boys got it the worst, and Benjamin ended up with an ear infection -- luckily the pediatrician in town was available.
Too bad, but somewhat typical that as soon as you relax for Christmas holidays, you get sick... )

Rolf, Johanna's partner, enjoyed the game too

Christmas in three homes meant a lot of travel, but it was certainly worthwhile to see family and friends here in Germany.

We were back in Munich for New Years, celebrated here with amazing numbers of fireworks set off all over the city.  Much of the display we saw over the skyline is launched by private individuals -- it's interesting to me that rule-strict Germans can buy and set off pretty impressively powerful fireworks where ever they want (although only on New Year's).  In fact Julia and I went to the Englischer Garten just at midnight to see what we could, and it almost felt like were were in the middle of a (loud but very colorful) battle as people were setting off fireworks all around the park.  Once we got over the slight sense of danger, it was really quite beautiful and thrilling.  A very exciting way to welcome in the New Year!