Merry Christmas (only slightly late)

Schloss Merode

Christmas Market at the Schloss

I know you will all be finished with Christmas but I'm still smack bang in the middle so I thought I'd write a bit about how it all works over here. Last weekend both my host-sisters arrived home for the holiday which is awesome and so the whole family went to a Christmas market at a palace/castle/big pretty building. Definitely one of the cooler markets we've been to mainly because of the castle and the atmosphere that creates! They also had people dressed up doing flag dances and people telling the nativity story and crowd carol singing so it was a whole lot of fun. We also decorated the real tree all together and I must say it looks pretty darn good!

Vera and I putting on the lights

Christmas here starts on the 24th with church (I played the flute) and then a large evening meal and then present opening. I've been given a 1000 piece puzzle that is mostly black and white so I suspect that will keep me amused for a good long while. On the 25th we went to Manuela's parents and had lunch with them, checked out their village church which is super old and then ate a very large evening meal. Then we played a card game and did the dishes until 11:30 pm. Today was our day off and we went rock-climbing (Christmas present for Vera's boyfriend Steffan) which was fabulous. Having not done any climbing for the last year or so, my muscles are definitely not pleased but it was good to be up on the wall again Check out the link! Climbing/Flying
 My knee performed beautifully and I hope we go back soon.

Sisters! (Ute, me, Vera)

Tomorrow the eating continues with lunch/dinner at Siegfried's parents and all his side of the family. I'm rather glad we did some exercise today otherwise I'd be feeling rather unhealthy! I hope everyone at home had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all a very happy holiday.