Well today is Christmas here in Wannweil. Not much snow, but enough to accent the waning winter sun. Last night I was indoctrinated into the German Christmas tradition through a sort of baptism of fire, if you would. The whole family assembled a bit after sundown and marched out of town into a wooded hilly area. There Matthias, beneath an almost full winter moon, produced a three foot long wax torch, which was subsequently ignited. Around this soft and flickering light we proceeded to sing traditional German Christmas carols. Some of the older, wiser persons present shared a few lines of learned wisdom with us younger pilgrims, and slowly the fellowship proceeded homeward, following that noble light which our fearless torchbearer (Oskar) so valiantly carried. Once we had returned indoors the divine flame was employed to light candles in every room throughout the house. We had acquired the holy light, you see, atop that mystic knoll and - having succesfully carried home - could now use it to both warm our souls and cast a pleasing hue across all of the delicious Christmas fare. Janko and Jessica made four gimongously huge meat-streudels which were sliced up and served piping hot: savoury juices bubbling, enticing odours drifting.
Of course there was desert, which included three or four types of pie, several types of ice cream, and yet more varieties of sauces, chocolate and berry in nature. There were games, some of which were simply too hilarious to be recounted. As well as, of course, the presents. Slowly the night drew to a close. The younger children were slowly, painstakingly herded into their bedchambers and the adults soon followed suit. Leaving the older children, myself included, to discuss important matters of politics and philosophy. Which is to say we played some more hilarious German card games over a bottle of Sekt (sparkling german wine), before retiring ourselves.
Christmas in Wannweil, however, was far from over. On the morrow we were scheduled to spend the day at the house of Matthias's father, the benevolent and renowned Teo Buck. Such tales, however, must wait for a later time. Stay tuned, I hope everyone had a grand holiday stateside.
Love to all,
EZ
Of course there was desert, which included three or four types of pie, several types of ice cream, and yet more varieties of sauces, chocolate and berry in nature. There were games, some of which were simply too hilarious to be recounted. As well as, of course, the presents. Slowly the night drew to a close. The younger children were slowly, painstakingly herded into their bedchambers and the adults soon followed suit. Leaving the older children, myself included, to discuss important matters of politics and philosophy. Which is to say we played some more hilarious German card games over a bottle of Sekt (sparkling german wine), before retiring ourselves.
Christmas in Wannweil, however, was far from over. On the morrow we were scheduled to spend the day at the house of Matthias's father, the benevolent and renowned Teo Buck. Such tales, however, must wait for a later time. Stay tuned, I hope everyone had a grand holiday stateside.
Love to all,
EZ
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