(no subject)
I know that I have not been updating as much as I should, but my English gets worse as the days pass by. I am a little embarrassed to write this entry, to tell you the truth. A while ago, Philip had a pullover with writing on it and I asked him what the writing said. The sad thing about this little story is the fact that the writing on the pullover was in English. :P
I will try to summarize the past few weeks of my life for my readers:
WEIHNACHTEN TIME (Christmas)
WEIHNACHTSMARKT
I went into the city to see the Oldenburg Weihnachtsmarkt. A Weihnachtsmarkt, for those who do not know, is a Christmas Market in the city. Almost every town, no matter how big or how small, have Weihnachtsmarkt every year. When walking through the market, I was reminded of Pike's Place in Seattle (http://www.pikesplacemarket.org). Sadly though, there were no men in dirty aprons throwing fish high into the air. There were, on the other hand, shops full of interesting trinkets and stands full of delicious pastries, dinner items, etc.
I tasted Glühwein and Glühbier for the first time. It is a very delicious drink that is served all over Scandinavia (and Germany too apparently). It can be served both as an Alcohol and alchohol-free drink. In America, people do not drink Gluhwein (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulled_wine). In the USA, the traditional holiday drink is eggnog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggnog).
DECEMBER 6TH - ST. NIKLAUS TAG
St. Niklaus Tag (St. Nicholas Day) is similar to how Americans celebrate Easter, though it is not a big celebration. The night before Easter in America, children put a basket out and pray that the next day there will be a present from the "Easter Bunny" in it. On St. Niklaus tag, children put a boot or shoe out and wait for a visit from "St. Niklaus". If the children have been good all year, they will indeed find a present in their shoe. In my stocking, I received chocolate, make-up, and handschuhe (gloves. It literally translates to "hand shoes". What a funny word!). I thank St. Niklaus for my gifts. "St. Niklaus" knows who he is. :D
WEIHNACHTEN (CHRISTMAS)
In Germany, there are many traditions that I find similar to American holiday traditions. Germans have Christmas trees and decorate their houses with lights just like people do in my home country. Though, from what I have noticed, Germans normally buy their Christmas trees one or two days before Christmas eve. In the USA, my family normally buys the tree a week or two before Christmas.
Also unlike American traditions, Germans only decorate with white lights. I have asked my host father why this is so, and he explained to me that the white lights are meant to represent peace. In America, people are crazy with colorful light displays. I swear that around Christmas time by my home, the whole town is lit up like a carnival! I love it though; it is one American holiday tradition that I miss.
As for Christmas eve, my family celebrated with a very nice meal and present opening. Since Americans open presents on Christmas day, I found it very different to open presents on Christmas eve. I found the two days very formal, but I enjoyed my holiday very much.
I will put pictures in this post when I am not to lazy.
I will try to summarize the past few weeks of my life for my readers:
WEIHNACHTEN TIME (Christmas)
WEIHNACHTSMARKT
I went into the city to see the Oldenburg Weihnachtsmarkt. A Weihnachtsmarkt, for those who do not know, is a Christmas Market in the city. Almost every town, no matter how big or how small, have Weihnachtsmarkt every year. When walking through the market, I was reminded of Pike's Place in Seattle (http://www.pikesplacemarket.org). Sadly though, there were no men in dirty aprons throwing fish high into the air. There were, on the other hand, shops full of interesting trinkets and stands full of delicious pastries, dinner items, etc.
I tasted Glühwein and Glühbier for the first time. It is a very delicious drink that is served all over Scandinavia (and Germany too apparently). It can be served both as an Alcohol and alchohol-free drink. In America, people do not drink Gluhwein (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulled_wine). In the USA, the traditional holiday drink is eggnog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggnog).
DECEMBER 6TH - ST. NIKLAUS TAG
St. Niklaus Tag (St. Nicholas Day) is similar to how Americans celebrate Easter, though it is not a big celebration. The night before Easter in America, children put a basket out and pray that the next day there will be a present from the "Easter Bunny" in it. On St. Niklaus tag, children put a boot or shoe out and wait for a visit from "St. Niklaus". If the children have been good all year, they will indeed find a present in their shoe. In my stocking, I received chocolate, make-up, and handschuhe (gloves. It literally translates to "hand shoes". What a funny word!). I thank St. Niklaus for my gifts. "St. Niklaus" knows who he is. :D
WEIHNACHTEN (CHRISTMAS)
In Germany, there are many traditions that I find similar to American holiday traditions. Germans have Christmas trees and decorate their houses with lights just like people do in my home country. Though, from what I have noticed, Germans normally buy their Christmas trees one or two days before Christmas eve. In the USA, my family normally buys the tree a week or two before Christmas.
Also unlike American traditions, Germans only decorate with white lights. I have asked my host father why this is so, and he explained to me that the white lights are meant to represent peace. In America, people are crazy with colorful light displays. I swear that around Christmas time by my home, the whole town is lit up like a carnival! I love it though; it is one American holiday tradition that I miss.
As for Christmas eve, my family celebrated with a very nice meal and present opening. Since Americans open presents on Christmas day, I found it very different to open presents on Christmas eve. I found the two days very formal, but I enjoyed my holiday very much.
I will put pictures in this post when I am not to lazy.