Christmas Eve produced a miraculously amazing discovery for myself, of which I am supremely happy . . . I don't even think having a fiance could compare! Haha, well, maybe not true, but definitely one of the happiest moments of my life! I realized after sitting through an entire conversation at my host family's house Christmas Eve that I understood . . . yes, people . . . I understood!!! *cries* Can you even imagine how positively amazing it can be to be able to hear a language other than your mother tongue and hear it and not even translate it into your mother tongue, but to hear those foreign words and to understand them!?! The bare naked words . . . no smothering and trying to fit it into an English equivilent that doesn't make any sense whatsoever, but just hearing and visualizing the beauty of a language without confining it in anyway!?! Little things like this truly bring joy in life . . . I still haven't started dreaming in German yet, but looking forward to that glorious night. ;-) May I also add that the conversation was sporatically spiced with Spanish, of which I understood a small bit, and while Spanish might not be my particularly favourite language, I am seriously considering learning again. *sigh* I am so content at this moment. I can hear and read high German to a small extent, but speaking . . now that is a horse of a different colour. :-)
Christmas Eve was spent at the traditional english church in Zurich where all the candles in the advent wreath were lit, listened to a lovely sermon, and sang various Christmas carols, with the gorgeous organ being played in the background. One of the carols was sung in latin which was so beautiful as it filled the stone church I was mesmerized! We also sang "Silent Night" in German and I was invited to join the Choir!!!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Alles schlaft, einsam wacht
Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf' in himmlisher Ruh'.
Schlaf' in himmlisher Ruh'!
After service I made my way to my host family's house where the Christmas tree was lit with real candles and we opened all our presents and shared dessert and espressos. The grandmama gave me a yummy box of chocolates and the family gave me a cute purse with kangaroos and also waiting for me was a small package from my Grandparents in Florida! My other presents included a gorgeous scarf and bracelet with earrings as well as family photos from my Grandma and a few little gifts from friends!
Christmas in Zurich is really an interesting experience! About a month in advance the huge main train station (Haubt Bahnhof) has a gigantic tree covered in Swarovski crystals and hundreds of Christmas booths placed throughout selling various traditional and modern and hmm . . . even naughty items for sale. "Wise men" walk throughout the booths on weekend evenings handing out Ferrier Rocher chocolates to pretty little girls. ;-) Gluhwein is there for the brave in savory consumption. One almost doesn't even mind being squeezed inbetween hundreds of people who stand in the middle of walkways never moving! ;-) Lol . . . However, having said that and *gasp* I never thought I would miss the annoying commercialism from back home, but t'is true . . . I do . . . It has however prevented me from becoming homesick so that is great, but as corny as it sounds it is hard to get into the "feel" of Chirstmas in the air without the goofy lights and Bing Crosby and the Andrew sisters playing on every station and in every building wherever one goes. I do however LOVE Christmas in Europe for all it's traditional old-world spirit! Oh, and Gluhwein, by the way, is thoroughly disgusting . . . It is basically red wine that has been heated in a copper pot with mulled spices and oranges, which would sound great, but instead tasted like cheap red wine that has been sitting in a copper pot for too long. *gag* However, the "Witch's brew" Matt, Lindsay, and Amanda and I had near the "Singing Christmas tree" without alcohal was amazing. ;-)
Christmas trees are bought and set up two days before Christmas I believe, adorned with real lights placed in these special holders securly fastened to the branches, and set aglow Christmas eve while presents are unwrapped. :-) "Samiclaus" actually visits Swiss Children here (via appointment) and gives children sussigkeit (sweets) and nuts and manderines, although I believe this takes place around the 6th of December. If he is too busy to visit, children set their shoes out by the door with a carrot for his donkey and in the morning find little toys and treats. Lol, I've heard that in Finland Father Christmas doesn't even visit because he has too many children around the world to see, so the children dress up as elves and do his work for him, going from house to house delivering gifts. Sounds pretty cool too me! ;-)
Overall . . . I thought my first Christmas away from home would be really difficult. I have enjoyed it immensely! Who can say they've spent a Christmas devoid of family in Europe!?! Lol! ;-) It has truly been a lovely one and great fun!
Cathedral in Sankt Gallen . . . Also houses the gorgeous Stifktbibliothek!
Apparently I didn't take as many photos during the holidays as I had originally thought too, lol. Ah well, here are a few and I'll save photos from Bern for afterwards. :-)
Bond night at Lance's apartment in the Niederdorf
Nikki
Me realizing how incredibly awful I am at playing Wii
One last glimpse of the lovely tree on Christmas Eve!
Danielle has returned from Canada and we went out on New Year's Eve for yummy pizza and a walk along the Niederdorf in Zurich and towards Bellevue where a gentleman helped us down the icey streets and commented on our lovely names. ;-)
She kept throwing snowballs! So mischevious!
hehehe . . .
It was so cold and the wet snow seeped into our boots and our feet were wet up to our ankles!!!
