So, as is standard, I am so far behind in blogging that the whole idea of catching up seemed very daunting...but I have finally sucked it up, sat down and got busy.
I've also made myself feel better about my major slack job by telling myself that we live in Germany, therefore we should celebrate all the way through to Three Kings Day (January 6th) as they do. In that aspect, I'm right on time!
Here it is - The Chango Holidays
Jon and I had some great Air Force friends - still stationed in the UK - come out to spend the long Thanksgiving weekend with us. We also invited Joel (another friend met in the Panther squadron) who is now stationed in Germany as well.
Joel "Tooey" P., (Alix's bum) Me, Cat "Lilo" Riddersen and Jeremy "Asp" Deja
Mom and Pop Chango sent us our "fancy" china as a surprise, and insisted we use them for Thanksgiving. They even threw in these snazzy red chargers...makes us look all grown up!
This was my first attempt at a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I made sure to get everyone in on the turkey basting...purely to have others to blame if it didn't turn out :)
Jon even had his own lil' cheering team for his first turkey carving.
It. Was. Delicious.
Friday after Thanksgiving, we decided to head out and start experiencing the wonderful German Christmas Markets I've heard so much about.
First, the the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) in Kaiserslautern, the closest "major" city to us.
As an American, some things in Europe are still lost on me. As we walked into town for the market we came across this statue...
There seems to me to be something mildly inappropriate about this.
But then we moved on to more important things. Like a nice mug of glühwein (literally "glow wine" or hot mulled wine) to help keep warm.
When we got cold enough that we just needed to take a seat inside somewhere we headed to Hannenfass - a bar in K-town. Jon had yet to finish a metre of bier on previous attempts, and this was going to be the time, darn it!
And, yes, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Saturday, we headed out to the Trier Weihnachtsmarkt. Trier is the oldest city in Germany, and this was a city we'd been wanting to visit.
I'm not sure what these were really called...we went with "little baby pancakes." Delicious!
We had ours topped with Nutella!...YUM!
We found a perfect car for Deja! (...doh! Sorry about the short joke, Deej!)
Jon & me...as proof that we were really there! :)
Cat & Deej
December
Orginally, the plan had been for my family to come out for the holidays. Unfortunately, that fell through, and Jon and I decided we would like to visit the Christmas Markets that we had planned to visit with family.
The weekend prior to Christmas, we headed to Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Nürnberg Christmas Markets.
First stop, Rothenburg o. d. T. "Reiterlesmarkt." This market dates back to the 15th century and is therefore one of the oldest in Germany. The name is based on an old Teutonic legend.
The town is also home to the original Käthe Wohlfahrt store (Christmas 24/7/365!...Awesome!).
The entrance of the walled-city of Rothenburg o. d. T.
I have yet to figure out the connection between the twin-tailed mermen and the city, but they were a common feature. And - in case you don't know this about me - I have a thing for twin-tailed mermaids/men.
What a gorgeous little town!
...and I loved how ALL the store-fronts were decorated.
After spending most of the day in Rothenburg, Jon and I headed to what we've heard is the most famous Christmas Market in the world (bold claim...but believable.), the Nürnberg Weihnachtsmarkt.
It was freezing (literally)! Nothing that a little Feuerzangen Bowle (literally "burnt wine" bowl) couldn't fix.
Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)
Albrecht-Duerer Platz...and snow!
On our (slippery) way up to Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle)
I couldn't catch the full effect with a picture, but the horses came hauling over that little (I'm sure icy) hill with some ridiculous speed. The guy on the left is sounding a horn for us to move it or lose it!
Our friend Joel, lives 45 minutes from Nürnberg, and took the train in to meet us.
I love Europe!...this is the way into the train station. How beautiful! It's the Handwerkerhof in Nürnberg am Königstor, where you can find tons of hand made goods in tiny little shops.
Jon & me in the Hauptmarkt (Main Market Square) with the pretty Frauenkirche and the Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain)
Joel and Jon at the largest Feuerzangebowle in the world.
New Year 2009/10
For our New Year's Eve celebration, we decided to spend a long weekend in Prague. We've wanted to visit Prague for years, and figured bringing in the New Year here was a chance of a lifetime.
We booked an amazing dinner at a restaurant, Restaurant Nebozízek. The booking included a six-course meal, drinks, music, sparkling wine at midnight and a huge terrace to watch the fireworks over the river.
I don't know if this is readable. If not, it says "Delicious!" :)
Happy New Year!
First kiss if 2010!
Pretty Prague on New Year's Day
Charles Bridge
The Christmas Market (that went through New Year's weekend!) and Church of Our Lady of Týn in the Staroměstské náměstí
We were told that the "big" fireworks were on New Year's Day @ 6pm. True statement.
Wrought iron well in Malé náměstí
Back in Staroměstské náměstí to see St. Nicholas' Church
After some sights, we headed to Velká Klášterní Restaurant for lunch, were Joel got his meal on a sword...sweet.
Following lunch, we headed to Prague Castle via Hradčanské Square.
We saw Joel off after exploring Prague Castle and Golden Lane, and decided to wander the city for the evening.
This very narrow pedestrian walkway, apparently, has enough traffic that it needs it's own light.
We found a great pivovar a restaurace (bar and restaurant), U Fleků, that serves you a "traditional" Czech appertif (I'm not entirely certain what we were drinking) and the one beer that they brew...and you don't order the beer - they walk around with trays of full mugs.
We enjoyed our final dinner in Prague at U Pinkasů with a couple of traditional Czech dishes.
Jon & me outside U Pinkasů
Whew! OK, now we're all caught up. I promise I'll try to do better with blogging in the New Year.
We wish you all the best in 2010~HAPPY NEW YEAR!
