I heard the bells on Christmas Eve...

My time in Germany has been just lovely! I arrived on a frosty morning in Leipzig and took a bus and a train to Dresden where I was met by Kristin. It was a lovely trip (that of it which I can remember, as I fell asleep so many times on the journey!) The trees were all a lovely frosty white, and after four London winters and one trip to Canada that failed to produce typical Canadian winter weather I was well ready for cold, ice and snow!

After adventures with bratworst and mustard we took a train to some little place near her village, where her brother picked us up and took us further still to her little village of Weifa. It is one of those sleepy little villages that one dreams of...it has little winding roads and her parents live at the top of a hill (I think...we always seem to be going up when we drive there!). There are lots of typical German houses (according to the Pantkes...I cannot speak well enough of German architecture to comment on what a typical or atypical German house may be) here and the Pantke's home was warm and cozy when I arrived. Soon after I arrived I was seated at a table lit with candles for coffee and stollen. One can't complain!

On the 23rd we went to church. I am afraid I was still a bit tired from the excitement and fell asleep (I think I wouldn't have if the sermon was in a language I could understand!). I woke up just in time to hear the pastor make reference to Canada. Apparently the comment he made was something to the effect of "the Holy Spirit fills even people in Canada". I can't help but to think that he noticed my little snooze!! After church we got bundled up (it was stupidly cold, but good for me to be reminded of what winter is really like!) and I was treated to a trip to a Christmasmarkt in Dresden where I bought a pyramide - a wooden rotating Christmas scene that is powered by candles. It is pretty neat. We went to a cathedral that has only recently been reopened after the bombing of Dresden during WWII. Its name is "The Womans Cathedral" (in German of course). I don't know why it is called that. It just is!

On Christmas Eve day we went to church in 16:30. It was very cold, but lovely to have an authentic "Stille Nacht" singing experience. Afterwards Kristin and I went out to walk the dog. We were walking along a ridge between two villages that were in the valley below. The bells from the little churches from both villages were echoing though the valleys on either side of this, and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. My soul wanted to cry with the beauty and wonder of it, but it was far too cold out and my body wouldn't let me! We then came home and we "kids" sat upstairs while the parents got the living room ready. We came down to a room lit with candles, the Christmas tree (with real candles!!) and lovely Christmas music playing. There were piles of presents under the tree (and a little pile for Rachel, another guest, and I). We opened presents, took pictures and then ate dinner. I wondered what "Christmas Day" would bring after such excitement!

This morning we got up, had breakfast and then went on a little drive to the Czech Republic! It is about 20 mins from Weifa, but it is amazing what differences 100 metres and a border can make in people's lives. The Czech side of the border seemed quite sad, really. There were run down houses and towns that looked as though they had seemed happier days. As soon as we crossed the border back into Germany, the differences were remarkable. It made me realise that there are many bits of European history we were never taught in school (or maybe taught but I forgot? Sorry Mr Talbot!!) I have yet to have my Christmas pudding, but hopefully will soon. I am afraid though, that since there are 8 of us I brought one to feed 12. I have since learned that I may be the only one who likes Christmas Pudding. Silly me! Doesn't one know not to bring Christmas Pudding as a gift? Ha ha! Never mind. I shall eat it and be merry!

I will post some pictures and videos soon. They are mainly for the benefit of my family, but all are welcomed to see them (obviously...or I wouldn't blog them!!!)

I think tomorrow will be made up of another trip to Dresden to see family and friends and then on Thursday (I think) it is off to Berlin!