A Christkindlmarkt Journey

Fröhliche Weinachten! Merry Christmas!

I walk out of the S-Bahn station and I'm greeted by the smell of gebrannte Mandeln (roasted almonds) and the sound of Christmas music from every corner of the Christkindlmarkt. The smells and sounds of every booth and vendor waft out from the hubbub of people. I walk past a booth overflowing with carved, wooden, Christmas figures and another with jewelry and yet another with Bratwurst (Sausage) and another and another..... I am surrounded by the chatter of excited people, the continuous chewing of people by a stand of Maroni (Chestnuts), the hum of music in the distance and the smells of all kinds. Oh, the smells, they make up the Christkindlmarkt, floating from every food vendor and wood carver. From the strong smell of wood to the smell of a burned Bratwurst to the savory smell of Mandeln. The sights are amazing, overwhelming to the eyes. Looking beyond the sea of people, I spot rows and rows of roof tops covered in shimmering lights. It starts to snow lightly and the church bell in the tower above me rings and I glance over toward the ginormous Christmas tree. Reaching almost 30ft. tall, it is covered with surrounding on lookers and a fanfare of lights. Color everywhere! An unexplainable joy rises into my heart as my senses inhale the surrounding beauty. I am standing in the middle of Munich on Marienplatz taking in the fun of the German Christmas market.

The Christkindlmarkt is an expanse of vending booths and activities that winds its way throughout the Munich central squares. I'd call it festival. It is known all around the world as Christmas time in Germany and now I understand why. It holds within it not only the smells and tastes of Christmas but, the feeling too. The moment you step out of the S-Bahn, you can feel the vibrant glow of a friendly welcome. Yes, there are people who just do it for the money and the Gluhweine (an alcoholic hot drink) but otherwise, it's just a festive event, open for the public to enjoy. We went last weekend and I tried Chestnuts that were roasted on an open fire for the first time. And almonds that were beyond delicious, heavenly, almost. That was my favorite, the warm almonds covered in sugar and served in a cute, decorative cone. I also liked the shopping. Do you know the saying, "Shop 'till you drop"? Well you could do that at a Christkindlmarkt. The booths are numerous and if you don't find what your looking for at one, you'll surely find it at another.

We wandered around to several squares and I think we found our favorites. The main Marienplatz market was one of the best with the big tree but there was also the medieval market. It was a lot smaller but in the middle there was a clown or jester to entertain the public. At first, we watched a tight rope walker cross a rope with clogs and something covering his eyes. It was amazing how may people stood there in the snow watching a guy in a clown suite try to walk a tight rope. We were packed in between a booth and more people just trying to see.

I take a deep breathe to inhale the sights once again. The tight rope walker almost falls but saves himself soon enough. So, I'm there again, standing in the middle of Munich on Marienplatz and I think, This is what traveling is about. The memories, the experiences....

You get them and you lose them but these are some that I will keep forever. Merry Christmas!

Mom and dad eating a Bratwurst from both ends! Yum! (below)

A stand filled with handmade crafts. (above)

Happy Holidays!

What do you think of when someone says "Happy Holidays!"? I think of sledding, skiing, shopping and hot apple cider with my friends. This year is different, I am thinking about returning home. We will be heading back to CO in two days and I have mixed emotions. Of course, I'm completely ecstatic to be going back but somehow I know that a piece of me will be left in Germany. This has become a second home and I am going to miss it even just for the three week break. On the other hand, I feel the anticipation of getting back to my normal routine and life of the USA. I'll have to experiment with my two different lives in two different places. On that note, here is a little holiday quiz that I came up with.

If you were something winter themed what would you be? Are you a poplar bear, snowman, or christmas tree? You might be a little bit of everything.

1.Would you rather,

a) curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and a book.

b) build snowballs and sled with friends.

c) hang ornaments and decorate with your family.

2. If you were shopping for holiday gifts would you most likely by,

a) a new book and and knitting needles.

b) a pair of skis and a warm hat.

c) cookie cutters and a christmas cook book.

3. How many people do you get holiday gifts or cards for?

a) Just your closest family and friends.

b) Everyone at your work or school + your family and friends.

c) Your neighbors, family and friends.

4. If you could, what kind of holiday party would you throw?

a) A cozy gathering with your closest friends. Your theme would be take 'save the environment.'

b) A big, outdoor bash with all your friends and class mates. Make sure to bring your sled!

c) A 'tis the season party equipped with a Christmas banquet and music. You would play Christmas games and holiday food from around the world.

5.What kind of gift and card would you give to a friend?

a) A scrap booking set and a hand made, eco-friendly card.

b) Stickers for their ski helmet and a small hand written card.

c) New glass ornaments for their tree and a pre-made Christmas card.

Are you a poplar bear, a snowman or a Christmas tree?

If you got mostly a's, you are a polar bear.

If you got mostly b's, you are a snowman.

If you got mostly c's, you are a Christmas tree.

Or are you a Christmassnowbear? (a mix of everything)

Have a very merry Christmas, and a happy new year! (And if you don't celebrate Christmas, have a very happy holidays and a lovely new year!)

Top 5 Latest News!

1. I am going skiing this weekend in Austria!

-This coming weekend I will be going (for the first time) with the BIS ski team to a glacier called Hintertux in Austria. I can't wait!

2. I am in a flute ensemble and a band with cello!

-Every Thursday I practice flute at lunch time with the flute ensemble. We will be preforming for the first time in two weeks.

-Every Tuesday after school, I practice cello with a group of musicians. We are playing songs for the upcoming school play, 'Bugsy Malone'.

-I'm traveling with a local group to southern Germany for a weekend workshop with other stringed instrument players.

3. I am going to Regensburg this weekend!

-My mom an I are going to take the train on Saturday to Regensburg to do some site seeing, relaxing, and visiting with her friend, Brigitta. Look for photos soon! (Above are two photos from our last trip to Regensburg.)

4. I am getting my report card soon!

-I am going to get my first grades EVER next week. In each class we have been doing some fun activities, some of which are listed below.

-Making a podcast all about π in math class. (They call it maths.)

-Learning about body systems in science class.

-Learning about the Blues in music class.(And writing an essay.)

-Making graphs on why people come to Munich in German class.

-Learning how to say what your house is like and invite someone over in Spanish class.

-Building and designing our own project in Technology and Design class. (I made a bulletin board for my mom's office.) (Tech and Design is also called 'shop'.)

-And more.....(In a later blog because I have 10 subjects.)

5. We are coming home for Christmas!!!

-We will be arriving back in CO on the 20th of December and leaving on the 5th of January. As you can see, we don't have a very long window of time so, if you want to get together let me know and we'll try to work something out. See you soon!!!!!

The top 5 things that made this list are the most exciting, best or interesting things of the moment that I could think of off the top of my head. I apologize for the things I missed out.

International Life

I start my day to the beeping of my alarm clock and the pattering of the rain outside. I snuggle deeper into my covers but then spring out of bed, ready for breakfast. I tiredly rub my eyes, sleepy from too much homework. When I'm ready, I check my day planner and hop on my bike prepared for the rain with my pink down coat and rain jacket.

Riding to school, I see the old and young with shopping bags or just taking their morning stroll in the rain. They are all wearing drab colors, mostly black and brown. My bright coat, purple bike and American style back pack scream foreigner and American to everyone around me. But when I get to school, I am completely normal, maybe even a little under dressed. Everyone is babbling away in English, Italian, German, Japanese and Spanish. It doesn't seem weird at all to be wearing a skirt with leggings and a pink coat. (Luckily we don't have uniforms.) As I put my bag into my locker I hear strange accents wafting up from the corridor. British, Australian, New Zealand English accents, who knows. It is a mix, a foreign land of not quite Germany, not quite America and not quite England.

I check my crazy, sporadic schedule once again and walk into my first class of the day. To fast forward a couple of hours, it's lunch. I hurriedly gobble down some food because I'm starving after 4 hours with no break. Then, I pack up my lunch and run to my next class so I won't be late. So, goes the day until I am finished with all my classes and I hop on my bike once again, back to the apartment. I plop my stuff down, do my homework, play my instruments and eat dinner.

When it is finally time for bed, my head is buzzing from the day's activity. Some of my days are even longer because I have cello or flute lessons and sometimes flute ensemble at lunch. I like my busy schedule but it doesn't leave much room for contacting friends and family (Like you!) so, if you ever don't hear from me for a while, remember my international life and know that I will contact you as soon as possible.

Calpe, Spain

Below are some snap shots of our vacation trip to Calpe, Spain. Pictures can say a million words. We had a blast!

The view from Guadalest, neighboring town. We hiked to the top of the mountain! (20km)

Mom at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia, Spain. (A very modern museum with an aquarium, art museum, theater, and a planetarium.

A hike up Peñion de Ifach in Calpe, Spain. Check out the cool tunnel I'm about to go through!

Me at the beach by the sand turtle that I built.

Mom doing yoga on the beach. Relaxing!

Above is a video of the 'Sounds of the Ocean' brought to you from the top of Peñon de Ifach. Below is a video of my first dolphin show at the aquarium in Valencia, Spain. Look at the amazing ticks those dolphins can do!

Bikes and Carrying Capacity (Continued)

I apologize for those who have not heard from me in a while. Life has been hectic and crazy even after a whole week of fall break in Costa Blanca, Spain.

The latest news from Germany is......

Catch Up!

Hurry!

Finish!

Faster!

Missed!

So, I will continue this blog post with just that, catching up.

Here is a small continuation of one of my past blog posts, 'Bikes and Carrying Capacity'.

Enjoy this video of my bike to school. (Note: the weather was much nicer then than it is now.)

To add more to my list of things one can carry on a bike:

This is where a car comes in handy.

1. A coffee machine

(My mom did when ours broke.)

2. A cello or any other instrument

I do 3 times a week for cello and flute lesson.

Check out this photo....

Time has run out for tonight, already! There is so much more to write about, Spain, school, and travels. Hope to hear from me soon!

Greetings from Holland!

This weekend was full of cows and wind mills. We went to Holland! My mom had a TPRS conference planned so I got to come along and spend the time boating on cannals and visiting historic wind mills. Oh, and most importantly, eating lots of cheese. Check out the awesome pictures below. What an amazing weekend, huh?

After learning three languages you'd think my brain was full enough but I've (almost) learned my fourth. Watch the movie below of me in Holland. I'm saying "Hi from Holland" in Dutch, German, Spanish and English.