New year, new adventures

A collection of photos from the last two weeks: A visit to Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Hohenschwangau (two very beautiful castles in the winter time), making homemade gnocci (a tradition since my stay in Rome) and Chardonnay to go with it. A nighttime Fleamarket, a visit to the Hofbräuhaus for Deutsches Bier, admiring artwork at the Brandhorst Museum (a must see if you're in Munich), and a walk in the English Garden. Now it's back to classes and all the work that goes with it. It has been unusually warm lately.. all the snow has melted and people are losing the winter jackets and eating outside. We can only hope for an early spring! xx

And a Happy New Year

Silvester in Munich! This year included a potluck style feast, watching fireworks from the 20th floor, a champagne toast, and melting lead shapes over candles (a German New Years game that's supposed to predict your future.)

Winter Festivities

The snow keeps falling and the things to do during the holidays keep increasing. The Christkindlmärkte (Christmas markets) are open every day and I've been to five different ones in Munich already. Next Tuesday my German culture class is taking the train up to Nürnberg to see the biggest Christkindmarkt in Germany! I found out about the Christmas Tram last week as I was waiting in the freezing cold for tram to arrive. After hearing booming Christmas music I looked up to see a decked out tram full of dancing people drinking hot spiced wine and eating Lebkuchen.. definitely something I need to try before Christmas! The last week has been filled with baking, decorating, making an Italian meal with good friends, Yann Tiersen's concert, and the feeding of wild swans xx

When in Rome (Part II)

Some more photos of Rome last weekend. Highlights: St Angel's castle, the Forum, the Spanish steps at night, ordering Grappa (which we mistakenly thought was something similar to wine), paging through Italian Vogue, and making homemade Gnocchi and tomato sauce for a perfect Italian dinner.