"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

  Graz, Austria
Monday, November 26, 2007

After a short hiatus in Graz, I am out and about!  Let me wish everyone back in the US a happy belated Thanksgiving and rest assured, just because I am in Europe didn't mean that there was no Thanksgiving celebration.  A few Amis (slang for Americans), as well as a gal from France and another from Spain all came together at the same table for an interesting meal which included grilled fish, turkey, a Chinese dish with Chicken and greens, mashed taters, carrots and bread, followed by a cheese strudel for dessert and French wine to wash it all down.  There was lots to be thankful for-health, good friends to share a good meal with, this experience, as well as a supportive family back in the US who let me loose on this adventure! 
 
But as the song goes "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"  We had our first snow shortly before Thanksgiving, but nothing that stayed for long.  However, signs of Christmas are popping up all over Graz-lights, a huge tree in the Main Square, and Christmas Markets.  These markets are great for shopping for gifts, not to mention the array of food and sweets to eat-my personal favorites being Lebkuchen, gingerbread covered in chocolate, and Schoko-obst, fruit covered in chocolate on a stick-beginning to see a pattern?  Of course, with all that food you're bound to get thirsty, which is no problem at these Christmas markets!  There are a wide variety of non-alcoholic drinks, as well as those with a little kick, also some with a lot of kick...Glühwein (hot mulled wine), Most (warm cider), and Weisser Schoko Punsch (white hot chocolate with a bit of coconut on top). 
 
And now for something completely different-I can now add Germany to the list of countries I "come from".  An Austrian girl on my floor asked if I was from Germany, mainly because I wasn't speaking in the local Austrian dialect.  This is what I consider a great compliment, considering German is my foreign language.  Granted, I still have some problems with the grammar and have my occasional "I really HATE German" days, but I've noticed that I don't have to think as hard to speak in German.  I just keep telling myself "Self, es wird besser, es wird besser..." (It will be better, it will be better).  So in the meantime, stay safe, hope no injuries resulted from the Black Friday chaos, and check back for more updates...
 
Coming to a Computer Near You:
A Vienna Trip Awaits!
Forensics Reunion Part Dos...in G-Town!!
Frisur-liche Adventures in Graz, Christmas Dinner with the Flatmates!!!
And brace yourself Europe-The Zahn's are Coming!!!!
 
Can't wait?  Trust me-neither can I!
 
Leben lang und erfolgreich,
Whitney