SILVESTER, COLOGNE AND A TON OF EXPLOSIVES

NYE is a big deal around these parts. In German they call it “Silvester” (named after a saint of yore). For a loosely accurate history, I’ll offer this: Back in the day when Germanic tribes provided the logic and guidance for how the world works, the Winter Solstice was marked over a few days – in which the world was at its darkest. Believing that the sun was a big wheel of fire that rolled through the sky, there was a fear that perhaps the increasing hours of darkness meant that it may not roll back again, (This darkness part hasn’t changed, with sunrise at 830am and sunset at 430pm, you kind of understand their thinking) SO – the tradition was that in the days of darkness, one must chase out the evil spirits and entice the sun back. The former was done with smoke and noise, the latter with big fires. These traditions have evolved into a HECK of a lot of fireworks being shot off on New Year’s eve. It puts our 4th of July to shame.

Fireworks are illegal to purchase here – except for in the days leading up to Silvester – and in those days – you can get them EVERYWHERE. We saw some footage on the local news here which showed the lines of folks waiting to buy them at a warehouse. There were limits to what each individual could purchase – the “small box”, of which you could buy five, was about as big as a kitchen sink. The “large box” was as big as a coffee table, limit three per customer. People were carrying boxes back to their cars with HANDCARTS. Add freezing cold weather, the fact that you basically sit and drink until midnight, and the FAR less litigious society of Germany and the result looks something like this amateur video (shot on NYE this year from the center of downtown Stuttgart.) It’s long, you only need a few seconds to see what I mean!

It worked out that Hubz and I had planned to meet a friend and her family to explore Cologne on New Year’s Eve. They are stationed in Brussels, so Cologne is about a halfway point that allowed us to meet for a day trip. The plan was to spend the day exploring, have dinner and then part ways, with them heading back home (they have young kiddos) and us to spend the night in Cologne and return the next day (thank you Marriott points). Well, it worked out that they couldn’t make it, but with train tickets and sleeping room booked, we decided to venture forth just the two of us.

Cologne is famous for its cathedral – the biggest in Northern Europe – which holds as its relics, the remains of the three Magi (no kidding!). Rick Steves designates it as a “must see”, but also indicates that it’s a good city for a one day trip. We were spending a sum total of 24 hours there, so it seemed like a good fit. Along with the cathedral, Cologne has a fairly impressive collection of museums, among them is a chocolate museum….how can one go wrong? Here’s how – one can go on New Year’s Eve. A national holiday. A day when everything but churches and restaurants are closed.

We did spend an hour or so exploring the cathedral. It was impressive and beautiful and very, very cold inside (imagine the cost to heat that place!). We had lunch (excellent soup in excellent soup weather!) and sampled the local brew. We followed the points of interest that Rick Steves outlined in his book and noted each CLOSED museum along the route. We even pressed our noses up against the doors of the chocolate museum - no luck. What was left to do but find a pub and drink?!?

That’s exactly what we did! Hubz was thrilled to find an Irish pub that served his favorite ale (Kilkenny) and gleefully shared the experience with me. We chatted a bit with other tourists gathered there, discussed our highs and lows of 2010, and participated in some general merry making inside the warm (and smoky!) little pub. A few beers later, it was only 4 pm but we were ….um….at a good stopping point, and bereft of sites to experience – so back to the hotel we went, where room service and an in-room movie was just what the doctor ordered!

The midnight fireworks were impressive – both professional and amateur (there were far more of the latter than the former). We wondered about the form of the revelry back home in Stuttgart and shared a kiss for luck. I hope that each of you welcomed the new year with people that you love, as we did, and that 2011 brings you unimagined joy and happiness!

OH LA LA!!

Paris was great!!! The weather was cold, but not too cold for exploring. We even saw a little sun! We took the hop on and off bus for the first day – those kinds of tours are my favorite for getting to know a city. There are headphones to plug in and hear about the sites, and if you see one you like, you just hop off of the bus - and then climb on the next one when you’re done and head off for the next neat place.

We toured the Musee D’Orsay and wandered the streets of Saint Germain. We posed for pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame and warmed ourselves with café au lait at cute little cafes. It was the first vacation Hubbz and I have had, where we weren’t visiting family or attending a wedding, just the two of us, since before we got engaged. It was a lot of fun! I’m looking forward to the next one!

I actually have a little French still in the gooey parts of my gray matter, so it was fun to be able to figure out how to ask for things, and read the signs as we navigated the city. Hubbz was impressed and says he’s definitely interested in going back again sometime soon!

We found a wine shop (in our guide book) owned by an American. They had free tastings, and soon, we were on our way to purchasing our “Learn about French wine” kit! The lady who helped us had been married to a Navy man herself back in the 60’s. She chatted with us about Norfolk and the Navy and the wines she selected for us. What a treat! We brought home 7 wines (6 in a shipping box and 1 in my suitcase). I had to do some creative shuffling with our luggage, since we were flying Air France and they have strict checked baggage allowances. Basically, we made the box of wine one piece (since you can’t carry on any liquids) and then put all of our regularly checked liquids in the other suitcase for checking. Hubbz carried on a bag with just clothing and shoes in it, and I put extra stuff that he would carry on in my big purse. We were laden down like pack mules, but we got the job done!

What a crazy few weeks it has been! I guess that’s life in the fast lane!

NEWS THAT COMES AFTER MIDNIGHT IS SELDOM GOOD

There are times when I kind of forget that I am living in Europe. Family is still just a phone call or email away. My furniture is now in my apartment – and heck, we get American foods from our commissary whenever we want them!


However, last night we got a call in the wee hours that made us feel like we were very far away. Unfortunately, tragedy has befallen my family and it is time to start planning a trip home. I am struck by just how far away I actually feel from my loved ones. It’s silly, because there’s nothing I can do by being there. The situation will not change – but I sure would like to be available to help somehow – and that’s simply impossible from Germany. It kind of makes the situation feel surreal.

So – it seems that I am off to CA very soon. Hubbz is doing everything he can to be supportive and helpful as I pack and prepare for the journey, but I can tell that he too feels a little strange and disjointed. Thankfully, there are very few demands on my time from work right now – so the Trophy Wife advantage is that I have only to jump on a plane. I’m also strangely looking forward to the trip. It will be nice to see family and bear the burden of grief together. I guess there are blessings to count amidst the sorrows.

COLUMBUS AND CROISSANTS

Today is important because it is my dear mother’s birthday! It’s tough to be so far from family on celebratory days – but I have a little insight into her celebration that she doesn’t yet have (don’t worry, she’ll know by the time I post this). Pops is giving my mom a trip for her birthday ….to this cute little place I know….also known as the Holy Grail Apartment (and Guest House). WOOOO HOOO!! I’m really, really excited to get to spend some time exploring Europe with her. I feel a little bad that her present is really a present for ME – but that’s not going to stop me from encouraging my Pops from going full steam ahead!!


We have had a relatively quiet week thus far. Our first house guests returned to Italy on Sunday afternoon. We sure enjoyed their visit and we look forward to many more opportunities to share our European experience together!

The State Department issued a travel warning this morning for Europe. It’s a little eerie to consider that we are LIVING here – so we can’t decide to stay home and be safe – but honestly, Hubbz and I are both of the mindset that while we won’t purposely insert ourselves into dangerous situations, we also can’t hide out every time we are reminded that there’s evil in the world. We went ahead and booked a long weekend in Paris for this month. It’s someplace we’d both like to go again – and it’s about to get pretty dang cold there – so we’re eager to get there before Winter does!

Thanks to Senior Christopher Columbus, Hubbz has a four day weekend – so we are welcoming our second set of house guests (also from Italy). I was lucky enough to inherit these sweet friends from Hubbz – he has known them since flight school. In addition to being a truly fun couple, they are the proud parents of three absolutely fantastic boys. We are so excited to have them with us!! We are off to Volksfest (part trois). However, we are insured yet another different fest experience this time – since we are taking three young kiddos with us, this trip will focus on the amusement park portion of the fest.

We cannot wait! Having a house that is relatively clean and ready to accept guests means that I can finally take a few pictures of our apartment! Since I’m still working the anonymity angle here – please consult my facebook site – or our Flickr account if you’d like to check it out!