[December 28] Dortmund, Germany: Impressionist Exhibit

Impressionism is my favorite kind of art, so I was excited when C's family decided to go to a popular Impressionist exhibit in a nearby city. It was pretty crowded there! I did enjoy it quite a bit but it would have been better if there weren't so many people. Also, something about going to see art in a museum makes me a bit uncomfortable these days. It feels weird to go to a big building and walk around looking at carefully placed art on a wall. I never used to have this 'problem' until recently. I much rather the art be placed in everyday places, integrated into daily life instead of being put in a big, cold museum.

On a brighter note, here's a pic of me and C taken at lunch that I really like:

[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 26] Dortmund, Germany: The Day I Accidentally Deleted All Of The Photos For... >:(

The day after Christmas was a big, busy day. I took A LOT of pictures, A LOT of AWESOME pictures, and then, since I can be an idiot, I deleted them ALL! YAY! 

>:( I am still so angry with myself. But oh well, they're gone... luckily, C's dad had some pics, so all of these in this post are thanks to him!

MORNING: In the morning, we went to a service at a Catholic church. I was kind of excited, because I'd never been to a Catholic service before. Even though it was in German so I didn't understand anything, that was still okay. I had a nice time humming along to the hymns, even if they were weird and melodically unpredictable (which is sometimes a good thing but these were just... eh...) so it was a nice little 'challenge' for me to read the music... Considering I don't especially like organized religion, I really liked the organization and ceremonial aspects to the service.

After the service, C's family and I and some of C's other relatives all went to visit the grave of C's grandmother. The cemetery looked gorgeous all covered in snow. Sadly, my pictures.... GRR...

AFTERNOON: We met a lot of C's family at a restaurant for a nice Christmas lunch. Wow... I feel like I met so many people, whooooosh! Lot's of German filling my ears. I really do enjoy listening to the sound of the words, but after awhile I tend to zone out a bit because of course, no matter how hard I listen, nothing means anything. (That sounds so deep... "no matter how hard I listen, nothing means anything" hahaha). 

I really liked talking to one of C's uncles. Well, C had to act as our interpreter. But it was neat because he played violin so we had a little bit to talk about. I got the feeling that he though if he spoke very, very slowly and clearly in German, it would help me understand. Ha ha. (I know a lot of people do that with English too... "DO... YOU... SPEAK... ENGLISH...???").

EVENING: After the lunch, we went to visit C's grandpa who lives in a retirement home. I really liked talking to C's parents about his interesting life. Then we visited a nearby cathedral that is one thousand years old!:

THEN... We went to a Winter Wonderland in a park with a ton of cool Christmas lights and art. I had SO many awesome pics but... >:(

One of my favorites:

<3

[December 25] Dortmund, Germany: Christmas Day Sledding!

Christmas Day was very low-key and relaxing, which was totally fine by me! In the afternoon... we went sledding! It was so much fun.

Going down the hill was very fun but...

Walking back up the hill was not.

I was scared at first because you can go really fast on those sleds!!! I look ridiculous, just look at me, heh:

Wipe out:

One of the finished cakes:

[December 24] Dortmund: Christmas Eve in Germany

Merry Christmas Eve!

Apparently, Christmas Eve is the big celebrating day in Germany.

I went with C and her family to a get together with some of their friends—how cozy! First, all of the 'kids' and the 'dads' went on a long walk in the snow while the Christ Child mysteriously brought presents! When we got back... magic! Ha ha. It was pretty exciting! C and her family were so sweet and even got me some very lovely presents too! Hee hee!

Then we all sang Christmas songs... well, I hummed a bit (they were in German), but most of them I didn't know. 

Then... dinner! & Dessert!

It was really nice to be so welcomed and included, and to see how other people celebrate Christmas. :)

[December 23] Dortmund: Snow!

There was SO much Schnee (snow!) in Germany!

C and I went to a 'happy' (organic) farm to buy some chicken...

Baking cakes:

On the train... going to a Christmas get-together of some of C's friends:

SNOW: