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Germs and Germany
Dec. 13th, 2006 09:03 pmI've had a hard time writing much lately because ever since just before Thanksgiving I've been off and on sick. And in between all that, my mom is in the hospital with artery blockage and will probably have a bypass tomorrow. Since we share the same white labcoat anxiety, I can only imagine how she's feeling as she lies there in the hospital. Not to mention worrying about the actual surgery. At least it's a retirement town in the south, so between the rich, southern diet and the high number of elderly patients, the doctor should definitely be experienced. (My mom is very sad that she can't have any German chocolate this year at Christmas, though.)
And speaking of Christmas, we took a break between violent virus attacks recently and took a family trip to the Nurnberg Christmas market (the largest in the world, I think). In case you don't know what a Christmas market is, check this out: http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/english/. In Bavaria, it isn't Santa who delivers presents on Christmas Eve, it's the "Christkind," which literally means "Christ child," although I'm not sure exactly how all that is supposed to fit together theologically. To further confuse matters, Nurnberg chooses an annual "Christkind" to start off the proceedings at the market and to make glitzy appearances and visit children's hospitals and be on TV. This individual is a 16-18-year-old girl, and as you can see on the opening site, she wears a curly golden wig and a glittery gold crown. Like I said, I don't understand everything that goes on here, but it's all very celebratory.
And speaking of Christmas, we took a break between violent virus attacks recently and took a family trip to the Nurnberg Christmas market (the largest in the world, I think). In case you don't know what a Christmas market is, check this out: http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/english/. In Bavaria, it isn't Santa who delivers presents on Christmas Eve, it's the "Christkind," which literally means "Christ child," although I'm not sure exactly how all that is supposed to fit together theologically. To further confuse matters, Nurnberg chooses an annual "Christkind" to start off the proceedings at the market and to make glitzy appearances and visit children's hospitals and be on TV. This individual is a 16-18-year-old girl, and as you can see on the opening site, she wears a curly golden wig and a glittery gold crown. Like I said, I don't understand everything that goes on here, but it's all very celebratory.
