[December 27] Dortmund, Germany: Jazz Club, Turkish Bar, Etc.

I think this was definitely one of my favorite nights in Germany. It was nice to be out and about at night and to see some new places in Dortmund. We started out at a bar with a little area for music upstairs.

I've never had a really fancy drink like this before—it was really yummy. 

I really enjoyed the jazz music... it was a nice atmosphere.

Then C and I went to a Turkish Cafe... It was cool because 1. It was open late and 2. You could smoke inside. I'm not a regular smoker but I do really enjoy cigarillos from time to time. I found these really cute cigarillos in London!:

So many delicious things... Those little rolls are these little Turkish snacks... they're really oily with rice inside and some kind of wrapping like... seaweed or something? Well, they were tasty. :) And I got to try some beer brewed in Dortmund too. I liked it, but then honestly I have never tried a beer and not liked it.

It was a perfect evening in my opinion!

[December 22] Dortmund: @ Dortmunder Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market!)

One of my first experiences with my friend C in Dortmund was going to check out the Christmas Market. It was a lot bigger and better than the couple I visited in London. There was a HUGE Christmas tree in the center of it all—it's all made out of smaller trees. Neat and gorgeous.

I tried some bratwurst. I don't actually like sausage but it was pretty good! Can't eat it more than once in a long while though.

The snow on top of the stall roofs really added to the picturesque Christmas atmosphere. :)

Mmmm Gluhwein! (Mulled wine).

'Mama is the best'!

We climbed to the top of this church tower:

Wow! What a great view of the market!

I really am not sure why, but these rhinos with wings were all over Dortmund. Here's a few I took pictures of:

I randomly found my initials written on a wall!

Wow, I really like this picture:

C:

This is the gingerbread house kit I bought at the Chocolate Festival in London:

lol

Santa Claus is pooping:

[December 17] London: IES Farewell Lunch :(

Wow... the last day in London. IES invited everyone to a Farewell lunch which was nice... I was excited for the food I had ordered because the different courses sounded so good when I picked them out on the menu but actually the food was gross!

Me and Anne with our hats that came in our Christmas poppers!

Mushroom things... so much potential but...

Haha I love this pic!

[December 15] London: The Nutcracker & Christmas Tea @ The Ritz!

Oh boy! On my last Wednesday in London, I had my last exam. Afterwards, I went to see The Nutcracker ballet near Trafalgar Square. What a gorgeous theatre!!!

I really enjoyed the performance; The Nutcracker is one of my very favorite things about Christmas. As soon as December hits, I listen to The Nutcracker Suite A LOT—it's definitely on my Christmas music playlists. Even though this particular performance was indeed beautiful... there were some things about it that I'm not used to. For instance, in the beginning, there was a scene that took place outside with 'ice skaters', when people are arriving to Clara's house for Christmas. This seemed a little extraneous and unnecessary although the ice skating bit is nice enough. Then there was some confusion about the 'prince charming' and the nutcracker... he would switch back and forth and I didn't like that. I also really DID NOT like that there was no Snow Queen...?!?!?! And no Sugar Plum Fairy??? HELLO?!?! There was still the dance but the 'princess' did the Sugar Plum Fairy dance, which was right after her solo dance anyway! LAME. I was actually mad about this. Also, there was no Marzipan NOR Mother Gigone. NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!

Later that evening, me and some friends went to have Christmas Tea at The Ritz! It was very ritzy (Sorry! I was obligated to say it...)! It was all decorated for Christmas:

We were served champagne, tea (we chose jasmine; it was definitely the best jasmine tea I have ever had), cute little tea sandwiches, desserts, and scones. The scones were my favorite, oh boy they were delicious!

So. Spoiled.

Tiny mince pie, 'R' is for Ritz!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!