WISHING YOU A VERY BELATED MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. MY REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER AND THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY The month of December here in Germany was very cold. Here in my town we had a few weeks of snow and the last week leading into Christmas day we had a lot of rain and very cold weather. In Germany, from the 1-24 December, each family celebrates an 'Advent Kalender', which means the last four weeks before Christmas. At the beginning of every week a candle is lit symbolizing the count to Christmas day. Also from the 1st Dec. you open a present every day until the 24th. This I found quite intresting. I celebrated two day of Christmas here in Germany. The first was on the 24th with my host family and the parents of my host father. The day started with us going to chrch at 3pm. After church, we all went into the living room, which my host mom prepared, to open presents and sing carols. My host mom played the piano, my host sister on the guitar and I sang. After this we ate dinner and went to bed. Early the next morning we drove to Jülich for the 2nd day of Christmas celebration with the parents of my host mom. There we also sang and opened presents. After this was all finished, we drove to Dortmound were I had to meet the bus for my trip to Austria. The bus left at 8pm the 25th December and arrived in Obertaurn, Austria at 10:30am the next morning. In my skiing group there were about 50 people, but at the lodge more than 200. The temperature there was below 0°F. I saw patches of ice on some peoples eyelids. I've never been so cold in my life. For the trip I had a ski instructor. He taught me how to ski all in German. It was so strange. Alot of the words I learned for skiing, I don't know them in English. Another session in the dictonary for me. After a few days I was skiing alone from high places and taking the lift from mountain to mountain. Once I did something really difficult for the first time and a group of peoplle started cheering. I was none at the lodge as the 'Bahamas girl'. No one could beleive that I was from the Bahamas and in Austria skiing. Alot of people took pictures of me. Skiing is one of the best sports I've ever done in my life. I will never forget this experience. For New Years Eve there was a big party under the tittle of BEACH. I was there, dressed in my Bahamas T-Shirt and really representing the Bahamas. The tittle was then said to be BEACH IN THE BAHAMAS. At 10sec. before mid-night they started the count down, then at mid-night they all screamed and danced all in excitment to the new century. I was thankful to God that I was alive to see this moment, The beginning of a new century. On the last evening before we left for Germany, I was initiated into the world of skiing. I had to drive water from a ski while everyone around cheered. I arrived safly back in Germany the next day. I can truly say that my Christmas and New Years day 99-00 will NEVER be forgotton. I am now back in school from the 10th January and everything is good. My German is good and improving every day. I have no speaking or understanding the language. I change families,for the first time, on the 28 January 2000. My new families name and address is: Eva and Milenko Brckalo. for pronunciation 'Bridge-car-low' Family Brckalo Am Knerling 37 58762 Altena Germany Tel:(49) 02352-912352 No e-mail address but my address is still demekasears@hotmail.com I am still very disappointed with my Rotary club. I never hear from them. A little concern and support is all I am asking for. The good think is that their actions have not stopped my life here in Germany. I am enjoying every moment of my stay here and will continue to do so. Until my next report, Bye DEmeka |
