... I'm coming home, tell the world that I'm coming home...
Tomorrow at around 5am, Jason, Jack and I are off to the Munich airport!
We land in Atlanta around 2:30pm. From there, we are driving to my parent's house to drop Jack and some bags off and then we are off to Fayetteville, NC for Kaitlyn's graduation from her Army AIT training the next morning. Whoop, whoop-- go Kaitlyn!! :) Immediately after her graduation, we drive back to Georgia to celebrate Christmas at Jason's sister's house with his family and my family. Our first family Christmas all together. I am beyond excited!
We have so many fun things planned while we are home and of course I am super excited about Christmas. It is by far my favorite holiday. Nothing beats spending time with the family, giving gifts, eating amazing home-cooked meals, Christmas Eve church service, and spending quality time with my husband. Ahhh I am so excited!!
Last night was our last girl's night get together. We went to the Christkindlmarkt and had some gluhwien before saying goodbye. Most of us will be gone for four to five weeks, so it was nice to have one last get together. I love these girls!
Well, I have to get back to packing. See you on the other side of the world! :)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
White Elephant
Last night, we had our annual White Elephant Gift Exchange in Salzburg. A total of 8 of us attended. For those that couldn't make it, we missed you!! We started off by having some gluhwien before a lovely dinner at St. Peter Stiftskeller. St. Peter Stiftskeller is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world and it's website states "Genuine Salzburg hospitality for over 1,200 years". There is a document that mentions the restaurant and inn that dates back to 803 A.D. Craziness!!
We had a lovely evening of opening presents, eating, drinking wine, and many laughs. And of course, some Krumpusses stopped by and joined in on the fun. Thank goodness they were nice and took a picture with us. If you don't know what a Krampus is, feel free to check out my blog here to read all about them.
Here are some pictures of our evening. It was just fabulous!! And, we even had our first snow of the season! :)
The highlight of the evening for me, was a letter that was opened at the table that was written by my dear friend Geana from Holland. I literally started crying while it was being read. Here it is:
We had a lovely evening of opening presents, eating, drinking wine, and many laughs. And of course, some Krumpusses stopped by and joined in on the fun. Thank goodness they were nice and took a picture with us. If you don't know what a Krampus is, feel free to check out my blog here to read all about them.
Here are some pictures of our evening. It was just fabulous!! And, we even had our first snow of the season! :)
The highlight of the evening for me, was a letter that was opened at the table that was written by my dear friend Geana from Holland. I literally started crying while it was being read. Here it is:
It says:
Hello my friend,
I hope the one who gets this present will be happy with it. I choosed it cos it symbolizes something. Destiny brought all of us together in a time when the most of us were far away from home and when we were in need of a friend. We have shared many laughter and some of us have shared some tears...
We were here for each other, we made our time here better and more beautiful. But one day a few of us will travel on again and then we all will be spread all over this world. I just hope that you, who keeps this little present, will sometimes look at it and that you will remember the time you have spent in Salzburg. I hope you will remember each of us and that the memories of us all will put a big smile on your face.
Thank you very much for being a friend.
Lots of Love,
Geana
I am so thankful to have such lovely friends in Salzburg. I will definitely look back on all of these memories and smile.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Turkey Pox
Jason and I were in Turkey this past weekend. We arrived on Thursday because Jason had some meetings to attend. Last time we were in Turkey, I had my heart set on having a real Turkish Bath and we weren't able to do squeeze it in. So, that was one of the top things on our list besides shopping at the Grand Bazaar.
Saturday morning we woke up and headed to the Cağaloğlu Hamami. It is the oldest and most famous Hamami, or place for a Turkish bath in Istanbul. To view the website, click HERE.
The whole bath experience, for me, was amazing. First, you are soaked down with water for 15 minutes or so. Then, you are brought on top of a large, marble slab and lay down and get scrubbed and massaged with salt for about 15 minutes. You are then rinsed and brought back to the warm marble and are scrubbed and massaged with soap for another 15 minutes or so. Then, you head back over to the water spout and are shampooed and massaged on your face and neck. You then get rinsed and head back to your room to changed. Now it doesn't sound like anything too special but I loved it!
Here are so pictures of what it looks like inside:
Afterwards, I told Jason (and I quote), "Oh my gosh, I think I was for sure a Sultan or Queen in my last life. I was born to be bathed and massaged everyday." Not that I believe in re-incarnation but whatever.
Little did I know, at that very moment, a storm was brewing...
Meanwhile, Jason and I went from the Turkish Bath to the Grand Bazaar and shopped our hearts out. I just love it!
Saturday morning we woke up and headed to the Cağaloğlu Hamami. It is the oldest and most famous Hamami, or place for a Turkish bath in Istanbul. To view the website, click HERE.
The whole bath experience, for me, was amazing. First, you are soaked down with water for 15 minutes or so. Then, you are brought on top of a large, marble slab and lay down and get scrubbed and massaged with salt for about 15 minutes. You are then rinsed and brought back to the warm marble and are scrubbed and massaged with soap for another 15 minutes or so. Then, you head back over to the water spout and are shampooed and massaged on your face and neck. You then get rinsed and head back to your room to changed. Now it doesn't sound like anything too special but I loved it!
Here are so pictures of what it looks like inside:
Afterwards, I told Jason (and I quote), "Oh my gosh, I think I was for sure a Sultan or Queen in my last life. I was born to be bathed and massaged everyday." Not that I believe in re-incarnation but whatever.
Little did I know, at that very moment, a storm was brewing...
Meanwhile, Jason and I went from the Turkish Bath to the Grand Bazaar and shopped our hearts out. I just love it!
While there, I kept telling Jason that my darn tag was itching my neck. I thought it was from a new shirt I was wearing.
When we got back to the hotel a couple hours later, we were getting ready to shower before dinner with friends. By this time my back was really itching and I asked Jason to scratch it. When he started to do so, he told me to go into the light. And they he told me that I had a rash. I figured it would be a few splotches here and there but when I looked in the mirror, I started to freak. My whole body, I mean WHOLE body, besides my neck and face thank God, were covered with what I call-- Turkey Pox. I am assuming that I had an allergic reaction to the soap (as I have had it before from soap) from the Turkish Bath.
I swear stuff like this happens to me all the time. If you don't believe me, just check out my blog about my mask squeeze incident.
Needless to say, Jason informed me that I most likely wasn't a Sultan or Queen afterall. Oh well!
Besides that little hiccup, we had a lovely time in Turkey and I can't wait to go back. Although, I'll probably be skipping the Turkish Baths from now on.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Krampus Parade
If you know me at all, you know that I am a scaredy-cat. No seriously, it's bad. I've been known to walk out of scary movies and even get scared of scary movie trailers, which is exactly why I almost had a heart attack at the Krampus Parade in Salzburg.
For those that don't know (which is probably all of you), a Krampus is a mythical creature recognized in Alpine countries. According to legend, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children, in contrast to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good children. In the Alpine regions, Krampus is represented by a demon-like creature. Traditionally, boys and men dress up as the Krampus in Austria and Southern Bavaria during the first two weeks of December, particularly on the evening of 5 December, and roam the streets frightening children and women with rusty chains and bells. Their outfits consist of gory masks, animal horns, real animal furs from head to toe, large cow bells (so you can hear them coming), chains and cow tails for whipping purposes, and baskets on their backs.
When I was talking to my friend Gerlinde, she told me that although they seem bad, they are really cleansing your spirit of all evil so you can start off fresh for the New Year, which is why Austrian parents are okay with their children being whipped by the cow tails and chains they walk around with. Most Austrian women you talk to will not walk around the streets at night for the two weeks around "Krampus" time, as they are known to pick on women and children. Some Krampus even wear large baskets on their backs so they can frighten children by putting them in and running. Gerlinde is in her late 30s and is still frightened to death of Krampus and has told me horror stories about Krampus torturing her when she was just 6 years old. This is no joke people!!
While we were watching the parade, a little boy that was about 3 or 4 was next to us and a Krampus grabbed him and rubbed his head and he immediately started screaming and crying-- poor thing!! It really makes me wonder, what is wrong with these parents? I would never take my kid to something like this, especially at such a young age. I mentioned this to Gerlinde and she said that people bring their children so the tradition lives on. Crazy Austrians! I couldn't imagine being raised when there were no rules or enforcement like when Gerlinde was a child! Eeek!
During the Krampus Parade, each of them are numbered and there are many police officers and security guards around to make sure that things do not get out of control or so you can report them if they do. This is the only reason why I went to the parade. When they go out at night in their groups alone, you never know what may happen (and I am sure not going to find out!). Last weekend, Jason and I were walking around Alt Stadt (Old Town) and we heard the bells and you better believe I started running. So scary!!
Without further ado, here are some pictures of the parade. Keep in mind that it was pitch black and the light from Jason's camera flash doesn't make them look as creepy as they were in the complete dark.
Like that crazy guy in the news said, "hide yo children, hide yo wife". ;)
For those that don't know (which is probably all of you), a Krampus is a mythical creature recognized in Alpine countries. According to legend, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children, in contrast to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good children. In the Alpine regions, Krampus is represented by a demon-like creature. Traditionally, boys and men dress up as the Krampus in Austria and Southern Bavaria during the first two weeks of December, particularly on the evening of 5 December, and roam the streets frightening children and women with rusty chains and bells. Their outfits consist of gory masks, animal horns, real animal furs from head to toe, large cow bells (so you can hear them coming), chains and cow tails for whipping purposes, and baskets on their backs.
When I was talking to my friend Gerlinde, she told me that although they seem bad, they are really cleansing your spirit of all evil so you can start off fresh for the New Year, which is why Austrian parents are okay with their children being whipped by the cow tails and chains they walk around with. Most Austrian women you talk to will not walk around the streets at night for the two weeks around "Krampus" time, as they are known to pick on women and children. Some Krampus even wear large baskets on their backs so they can frighten children by putting them in and running. Gerlinde is in her late 30s and is still frightened to death of Krampus and has told me horror stories about Krampus torturing her when she was just 6 years old. This is no joke people!!
While we were watching the parade, a little boy that was about 3 or 4 was next to us and a Krampus grabbed him and rubbed his head and he immediately started screaming and crying-- poor thing!! It really makes me wonder, what is wrong with these parents? I would never take my kid to something like this, especially at such a young age. I mentioned this to Gerlinde and she said that people bring their children so the tradition lives on. Crazy Austrians! I couldn't imagine being raised when there were no rules or enforcement like when Gerlinde was a child! Eeek!
During the Krampus Parade, each of them are numbered and there are many police officers and security guards around to make sure that things do not get out of control or so you can report them if they do. This is the only reason why I went to the parade. When they go out at night in their groups alone, you never know what may happen (and I am sure not going to find out!). Last weekend, Jason and I were walking around Alt Stadt (Old Town) and we heard the bells and you better believe I started running. So scary!!
Without further ado, here are some pictures of the parade. Keep in mind that it was pitch black and the light from Jason's camera flash doesn't make them look as creepy as they were in the complete dark.
For a video of Krapusses in Salzburg, click HERE.
To view all of Jason's pictures from the parade, click HERE.
Like that crazy guy in the news said, "hide yo children, hide yo wife". ;)
Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, I am extra thankful for such great friends. Since we live far away from home, it is so nice to have such a great group of friends to spend time with during special holidays when we can't come home. Of course, I am also very thankful for my wonderful husband. This was our first time celebrating a "real" Thanksgiving together and we had a great time. Special shout out to Julie, who hosted a fabulous Potluck Thanksgiving party with all of our friends from Salzburg (well most of them, some couldn't make it). It was so much fun!!
I am extremely thankful and blessed! :)
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