Christmas Comes Early in Vienna!

Yesterday was the official opening of the Vienna Christmas Markets. The city is decked out in lights and the markets are full of hot punch, delicious Viennese food, ornaments, nativity sets, candy, gingerbread, toys - you name it. I'm sure that in the U.S., people are still reluctant to start celebrating. After all, Thanksgiving is still two weeks away. But Vienna is not holding back any of its Christmas excitement, and I'm not complaining.

Highlights from the week:

Wednesday, November 11th: My morning class was canceled and I decided to walk around the south-western part of the city. I walked all the way down Mariahilferstrasse, a busy shopping street. I ended up buying two books: Through the Looking Glass and Aesop's Fables. I read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on the train to Strasbourg, and I was eager to read the sequel.

Friday, November 13th: The weather was warm, and I sat in the Burggarten and read a book for a while. In the evening, IES had a dessert-baking contest. The voting took place at a bar called "The Traveler Shack." There were 12 entries, and I ate my fill, even though I did not bake anything. It was all very delicious.

Saturday, November 14th: The Christmas markets officially opened. My choir sang four gospel songs and a Manhattan Transfer arrangement of "White Christmas" at the opening ceremony of one of the markets. We received vouchers for Gluehwein (a hot wine with cinnamon) and Kaesekrainer (cheesy sausage). Afterward, I went with Emily to the main Christmas market, Christkindlmarkt, at the Rathaus.

Saturday was also a very important day at DePauw: the Monon Bell Game! As the oldest college rivalry west of the Appalachians, DePauw and Wabash play every year for the Monon Bell. Emily and I were able to listen to the game live on the WGRE website. Technology really is amazing. Sadly, DPU lost the game 32-19. There were a lot of alumni back in Greencastle for the game, and I was fairly upset that I missed out on the fun. That being said, I really cannot complain...

Sunday, November 15th: The weather was surprisingly nice today, and Emily and I went to a festival at Klosterneuberg for Leopold's Day. We walked around, saw the giant wine barrel, and drank some orange punch. Then we took a bus up to the Vienna Woods. We walked downhill for about an hour, past some gorgeous vineyards and a small wine festival.

Now I'm gearing up for another week, although it does not require much "gearing up." I didn't have a single minute of homework last week, and I don't expect this week to be much more difficult. I think I'm going to be in for a big shock when I try to get back into the DePauw routine in February! But for now, I'm not worrying about that.

I love you all.