Patsch and Innsbruck, Austria

Yesterday Kevin and I spent a lovely christmas eve in a typical austrian guesthouse in the village of Patsch., tucked away in the Alps. We had traditional austrian food, which seems to be a mix of german and italian food. For example, pasta made with heavy cream and served with beer. We could not see the alps at all because of the fog which was too bad because we were right in front of them! Thats what I get for paying extra for a room with a view! 

Then we took a bus into town and walked around, looking at the sites. The only things open were churches and cafes. We wandered through a couple of gorgeous baroque churches, and then had an amazing hot chocolate experience at a cafe. They give you the hot milk, and a ball of chocolate mousse, a shot of baileys or  a cup of caramel, and a cup of whipped cream with toasted almonds. The hot cocoa pretty much put me into a coma from all of the sugary creamy richness. 

Later in the night the fog cleared just enough for us to see a church, right next to the guesthouse. The bells were so loud! With the rest of the villagers, we wandered down to the church at 11pm for midnight mass. The choir was lovely, and the inside of the church was so beautiful. There was a nice baroque organ inside as well. 

This morning (christmas morning) we opened our stockings that my mom sent us and listed to christmas music. We also had a nice christmas breakfast in the guesthouse. We were kind of the only guests there that were not somehow related to the innkeeper. Kind of awkward but really nice to see how the Austrians do christmas. I am sure we were the only non-austrians in the town church too! 

We then took a long walk in the snow and hopped on the bus into Innsbruck to our new hotel, much more modern than the other one. 

Tomorrow we are taking a train to Venice!! I am really excited because everything there will actually be open, where as pretty much everything was closed in Innsbruck for the holidays. I am so excited to see the ocean again and to eat some good italian food, hopefully all olive oil or tomato based, Im getting pretty sick of cream based everything here. 

I will try to update soon! At least the McDonalds all offer free WIFI and in Austria they make veggie burgers!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Much Love,

Michelle

Blog guilt

I should begin by apologizing for not posting for such a long time. The last month has been a whirlwind of final exams, holiday celebrations, and saying goodbye to new friends and [host] family.

Highlights include:
-Having Mom and Dad visit me in Strasbourg, and meet my host family. I am so grateful that they were able to come see the place I got to live in for four months, and the best part was the hugs!
-Finishing my studies in France! I wrote a 10 page research paper in french about my internship at the organic foods store in Strasbourg, and I am really proud of my work!
-Walking around the christmas markets of Strasbourg, which have been around since 1571!! I loved tasting the mulled french wine, the spiced beer, and all of the little christmas cookies! Alsace is a delicious place to be during christmas! And so beautiful in the snow!
-Spending my evenings in front of a roaring fire watching movies with my host family, with a cup of tea.
Before I left Strasbourg, they told me they felt like they have always known me and that I am really like a daughter to them. That meant so much to me. I am really thankful for having had such an amazing living situation, living with two amazing people with so many wonderful stories to tell.

Leaving Strasbourg was difficult. Already I miss my daily bus ride to and from school, where I listened to music while looking out the fogged windows or listened in on conversations in french. I miss seeing the Cathedral. I miss coming home to a lovely family and eating amazing french food every night.
I had a truly amazing time in Strasbourg, and I will miss it dearly but its just time to move on and continue my big adventure!

What am I doing now?
Well on saturday, I took a train at 6:30 AM to Munich, Germany to see Kevin and get ready for our europe trip. Of course I experienced train issues. I made sure to get a direct train since I had all of my luggage with me, but alas, my train broke down in Stuttgart and we had to stand in the snow for 30 minutes before the next train came. Meanwhile, Kevin was waiting for me in the train station and heard the announcement that the train was canceled. That was all they said!!! He had no idea what to do. So he waited. I arrived about an hour late, and everything was fine.

In Munich, we have been walking around all of the christmas markets. I really thought I would be disappointed by the markets here as Strasbourg's are more famous, but I have to say I am really impressed with the market here. They really go all out in Munich, and they make a point to keep the Bavarian feel in the christmas markets. One of the markets is medieval themed where they have puppet shows of fairy-tales like Hansel and Gretel, performance artists, and stands selling grog, meat, and artisanal crafts. Very cool! There is another christmas market that is really hip. There are glowing lanterns everywhere, and most of the vendors are selling arts and crafts.
In Strasbourg they serve the hot wine in plastic cups that are used once and thrown away. Here in munich they serve the hot wine in adorable ceramic or clay mugs. You pay more for it, but if you return the cup you get half of your money back. They do the same thing with all of the food and beverages here. Its a really great system, there is much less garbage and the hot wine does not taste like plastic.
This also encourages a more communal atmosphere, as people stick around close to the stand to eat and drink. There are tables set up with fireplaces in the middle to stay warm. Its wonderful!

Tonight Kevin and I are opening our christmas presents to each other, and tomorrow we are taking a train at 9am to Innsbruck, Austria. We are staying the first night in Hotel Barr, which is a bus ride away but overlooks the entire city and the Alps! We are going to open the stockings that my mom made for us (thanks mom!!!) and the cards I got from relatives (thanks grandma!!!). We might to go midnight mass in one of the beautiful churches there. There is also a possibility of taking a sleigh ride in the snow! I am very excited for tomorrow!

After Austria, we are going to Venice. Then taking a flight to Valencia, Spain...then to Barcelona for New Years! Then through france and eventually Paris! We will return to Munich and I will prepare for my upcoming semester in Morocco!!!
Wow! I am the luckiest girl in the world!

I want to say Merry Christmas to my family, and I wish you all a happy new years! I wish I could be there with you all, but I am on my big adventure! You will be on my mind on christmas!
Also, thank you to my parents for the Eurail pass which allows me to use all of the trains I am taking in Europe!

I will try to keep this updated on my travels!

Sending my love,
Michelle

P.S. Kevin says Hi!