In Germany, Christmas is celebrated mainly on Christmas Eve, with Christmas Day reserved for the family meal but no church service or presents. Early in the day on Christmas Eve, we went downtown to go to an internet cafe where I could check my emails and find a number for a cheap phone call home since I wanted to surprise my family. After that, we decided to go for a walk around the town since the weather was nice, and we ended up at a Chinese garden in the middle of Stuttgart, high on a hill overlooking the city. A few years ago they had a gardening competition in town, and some of the gardens were left here. I was really surprised to see it, and it was very well done. We unintentionally disturbed a couple that were kissing in the pavillion, and they headed off somewhere else, leaving us with this beautiful garden to ourselves for a few minutes.
After heading back to Chris's house, we decorated the tree, and I was excited to see the beeswax candles being put on it, because in Canada we mostly assume that anyone with candles will automatically burn their house down. I don't know if German houses are less flammable but they simply watch them carefully, and the candle holders have a counterweight on them so the candles always stay upright. Chris and his sister have a tradition of using odd things to decorate, so we all made up little lego figures of angels and santas and other Christmas-themed things to put on the tree, including my favourite of my contributions, a camel-cart. The tree was unusual but beautiful, as you can see in the photo album. Unfortunately I did not get a photo with the candles lit.
We then went to the Christmas Eve service, where I bravely tried to sing in German. When I know the tune, this works more-or-less ok, but when I don't it is really quite difficult. Some people tried to talk to me after the service, but I just smiled as sweetly as I could and let Christian do any talking because I don't understand anyone, really, except some train station announcers. People simply talk too fast for me to catch much of what they say, even when I know the words.
After church, I was pretty much ready to go to bed since that's what I always do on Christmas Eve after the service and some stocking-stuffing. But, they were just getting started. We sang Christmas carols (in English) and opened presents, and it was lovely, especially with the candles lit on the tree.
The next day, we had a big English-style Christmas dinner which was fabulous, and included chestnut and apricot stuffing (two different kinds) and then, after Chris and I did the washing-up (since we hadn't helped with cooking) we went out to his friends' place in Waiblingen, a small town with lots of old buildings, completely off the tourist map. That's why locals are so great, they know everything around. I also saw my second Bobby-car, which belonged to Chris's friends' small daughter, who was very cute. She had gotten a baby doll and stroller for Christmas, which she pushed all over Waiblingen even though she could barely see past it.
All in all, I had a very warm welcome and a very good time in Stuttgart, and I will be sure to return!
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