Off the Map

X-Mass in Deutschland

Alright, I know. This blog is way overdue... Sorry. :-)

From the morning of the 23 thru the evening of the 26 I was privileged to experience Christmas in the Black Forest, Germany (yes, just like the cake...).

Although we'd never met I was invited, warmly received, and treated like a king by almost 20 German relatives whom I didn't know existed until a year ago. This branch of my family is related to my lovely great-grandmother (93 years old and still living independently in Florida!) who migrated to America from Germany before the Second World War.

So, Jason, what was a German X-Mass like? Well, let me explain with some notes...

• Sitting around with family while eating, drinking and conversing perpetually was by far the most important and frequent activity of the Holiday. Quite honestly, the impression I made of the German Christmas time is one far less stressful and hectic than State-side. Admittedly though, some of the energy to which I'm accustomed was sacrificed in result.
• Christmas Eve is the most important day of the Holiday, rather than the day after.
  
• Following a Church service (mine was in a modern Cathedral, but Biblical vocabulary is rather difficult to understand in German) the family's return home and open up all of their presents
• Opening presents at night makes settling down giddy kids neigh impossible
• The denizens of Schwarzwald (Black Forest) partake in many Wild dishes
• Wild Duck, Wild Hare and Wild Deer were all served during my stay
• Gift giving is usually limited to family members and significant others
• If you forgot the most important part of your special dinner, too bad. Everything is closed.
  
• There is no Day After Christmas bum rush at the Malls. This is because the malls are still closed the day after Christmas to allow everyone to recover and reorganize.

In addition to the Winter festivities, I was able to tour the city of Baden-Baden, who boasts having more millionaires per capita than another city in Germany. As you can imagine, it was beautiful (see my Photos, posted below). I suspect that the natural hot mineral springs have something to do with that statistic...

Perhaps my most intriguing experience was touring the house my great grandmother grew up in after WW1 - a house which has been in the family for hundreds of years. Although I am unclear as to when we purchased the building, I do know it was made in the 1700's. Boulder's been around for, what, 100 years? Yeah...

posted by Jason @ 6:54 pm