Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Germany Days 1-3

On December 23rd at 7:50 a.m. we arrived in Zurich Switzerland. We drove from there to Robyn’s flat in Badenweiler, Germany. It is like living in Vail Colorado. It is so beautiful being tucked away in the mountains of the Black Forest. The town is closed down for three days for Christmas. In Germany, they celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve and summon people to church by ringing the large bells inside the bell tower. They go off at all times during the three days and they hold several mass services. When we came today we took a short nap and were invited to tea. Unfortunately we could not go to Robyn’s friends house because we had jet lag. (Just a tiny bit.) Later on during the day, *Max*, a friend of Robyn’s who is around our age came to meet. He made us WONDERFUL (I can’t say wonderful enough!) vegetable soup which was made Kosher because he is Jewish. *Max* is very cool and fun to hang out with. Robyn and *Max* bought a “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree and decorated it before we came. Because we had the tree we had to wrap gifts as soon as we got there. Robyn was VERY shocked when she realized how many presents were under the tree. She opened some Christmas cards from her family and friends as well as her food gifts. We were going to go to mass, but we ended up crashing early.

We woke up around 11:30 on Christmas Day and had chocolate filled scones (bread) for breakfast as well as German coffee. Starbucks has no idea how to make coffee after you have tried the coffee they have here. It is delicious. It took us about three hours to open gifts. Robyn said this was the most presents she had received in her entire life. It was a very emotional time for her and she cried a WHOLE LOT! This picture was of her face after she opened her large gift, which was a new laptop computer, sent from a very dear friend. We had her shut her eyes and pulled off the blanket that was covering it. She stamped her foot on the floor and screamed “OH MY GOSH!” This is very big because everything in Germany is quiet. There is even a “no running electrical appliances after 9:00 p.m. and between 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.” clause written in the apartment units in her town. This is how seriously Germans take their peace and quiet. Right after she opened the computer, her friend called and they chatted for a while and she cried some more. God is so amazing. She cannot believe how he has provided for her. God is so good. We milled around for the rest of the day and Shaune got to work setting up her new computer and transferring her files to it. This was perfect timing because she though Shaune was going to come and fix her old computer which only had 4 gigabytes of hard drive left on it. This new computer has over 100 gigabytes of RAM. So not only did God provide a new computer, but he send someone who could fix her old one and set up her brand new one. God has really made his presence known. Tomorrow we are going to Colmar, France. WOO HOO!

Today is *Max*’s birthday! He turned 22 today! For his birthday we went to Colmar France. We visited the Weihnachtmarkt which has little carts parked in a square and sell their wears. There were tons of Christmas item, and a lot of stuff that looked American. Well, at least I knew I could get it in America for a cheaper price! We ate at a French café that we were lucky enough to find open. What was strange about the experience is that all though there are tons of Christmas decorations around and everyone wishes each other Merry Christmas and goes to Church, so many people do not know God. Over half the people who come to mass on Christmas do not know Jesus and who he was. It is so unbelievable. But when Robyn translates, or you hear people talking it is very apparent that Christ is just another person to talk about. Movies like “Nativity” and “The Passion” are not big here because since religion is not big here, it is not a big deal when the movie comes out and there is nothing to argue about in the papers. After lunch, we drove back to Germany and into the Black Forest mountains. You know the post cards that show pine forests covered forest and every branch is dripping with ice? That is what the mountains looked like. It was so BEAUTIFUL! It was breath taking to think God has set this scene. We drove to a restaurant in the mountains glittering with ice and had black forest cake for desert. I did a lot of thinking in the mountains. After dinner we drove home and walked to Belvedere castle just up the street. At Christmas time they outline the castle in white lights. We walked up into the ruins and look out over the top of the castle you could look all the way into France from the top. The sky was black but the cities were lit up with lights and you could hear the church bells and make out the outline of all the church steeples. It was amazing. Switzerland, France and Germany are beautiful. Tomorrow we will be going to a Roman bathhouse with *Max*. He loves to swim. It is only 17 Euros to spend the day have a hot spring bath, sauna, and swimming. I am so excited! Shaune and *Max* have come fast friends and have a lot in common in mannerisms and dreams. Both are passionate about what they believe in. They are great conservationists. Will write more about Germany and the bathhouses tonight as well as publish pictures!


*Names have been changed to protect the innocent incase of a court of law*

2 comments:

Kerry said...

It sounds as though you are having the most wonderful time and I must admit I am a TAD envious! Enjoy every minute!! Merry Christmas and Happy new year!!

Schweers' Mom said...

I am so envious! I know just what you are experiencing! I am so glad you are having a good time. What a wonderful way to spend Christmas. The Germans would certainly choke on Starbucks! Coffee here will never taste the same when you get home. Keep writing so I can live vicariously through you.