Schneeschuwandrung in Hochötz

                                             (Rick, Katie, Consuela, Rush, Anne, Rob, Jo)   

Wow, I just had an awesome weekend snowshoeing with other Tirolian assistants to Hochötz and visiting Katie in Imst.  Snowshoeing up a mountain isn´t exactly easy, but definately worth it.  And believe it or not, but in Imst, there were flowers...in February!  I am not planning on coming back here next year, but I am definately going to miss the beauty and adventure that surrounds me here. 

The Schmidt-Sonnenberg Familie Musikaner!

I would just like to say I had an awesome time over Christmas break, and I am just as glad that it is finally over.  The first week I spent in Dresden (East Germany) with my great aunt Olli and my great uncle Jurgen.  On the left is their son Bernhardt with his wife Maresi, I´m "playing" the violin, Tante Olli is smiling so nicely in the back, and their other son, Jorg is on the guitar.  It was a lot of fun, and I learned not only lots of German, but also how to play the guitar, Zithar, how to knit, lots of church history, and I also got to know the beautiful area.  Well, it would have been more beautiful with snow.  We seem to be in a sort of shortage here in Europe, but the forcast is for snow next week.  I will get more info and pics about the rest of my Ferien soon!

Anne

And the Krampuses gonna get you if you don´t watch out!

 Just in case you´re all worried, I am alive and safe.  Unlike what my teachers told me, it isn´t really dangerous, as long as you stay behind the fence.  Well, most of the time it is safe if you stay behind the fence... 

Curious tradition.  In many countries they have a good Santa and a bad Santa.  For example in Holland it is Schwarze Piet (Black Peter), and in France the Père Fouettard (Father Whip).  Here it is Saint Nicolas and Krampus.  Krampus has several meanings.  In the days before St. Nicolas day (December 6), the Krampus run around town and country terrorizing and fighting with people.  Today, it is mostly controlled (in other words you may get physically hurt only if you´re stupid enough go into the fence and pick a fight), but sometimes in the country, later at night when they run free it gets out of control after too many beers.  I´m not sure if it was funny or scarey, but the first time I saw them, I was a little terrified. 

One legend says that the Krampus run around trying to scare the evil spirits away.  But after Christianity came to Austria, the children were told that if they were not good, the Krampus would come from Hell to get them.  And seriously, you do not one of these guys coming into your house.  They´re covered with fur, with huge cow bells strapped to their backs, and big ugly masks.  If you are good and memorize you catechisim though, St. Nicolas will come into your house with his angels and give you presents. 

Austrian Yooper

So, if you happen to be traveling in Austria, and don´t speak any German, and happen to ask an Austrian for directions in English (which would be the smart thing to do), don´t be surprised if the dialogue goes something like this:

You:  Excuse me, do you speak English sir?

Austrian:  Holy Wah! Ein Amerikaner in Lienz!

You:  Um, could you help me get to the Johannesplatz?

Austrian:  Ja, you betcha! You just take a right at da end of da Schweizergasse der and dat´s da Johannesplatz, eh? It´ll take abote 5 minutes, eh?

You:  Thank you!

Austrian: You betcha!

You may thank the English Assistant in Lienz (me, the one and only) for keeping the Yooper dialect alive. 

*Disclaimer*    The English Assistant in Lienz does not teach Yooper on a regular basis, but rather standard American English (although an occasional "eh" or Minnesota "oh" slips out).  She does find it necessary, though, to teach about the different cultures in the U.S. and not continue spreading the lie that the U.S. is simply Hollywood, San Francisco and New York City.  The Assistant does not claim to be full-blooded Yooper but rather a mixture of different cultures and speaks a dialect (a melange of German, Osttirolerish, French, Yooper, Michiganese, and some southern) most commanly referred to as "Annish".    

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum...

Well, soon I should be getting a real pic, but last night Elke and I set up our Christmas tree.  Friday I went to Innsbruck, and I actually saw real live native English speakers from America at the Christkindelmarkt.  Wow, first time in almost three months.  I also ate Chestnuts roasted on an open fire for the first time in my life.  Good, but roasting almonds over a candle on the kitchen with my brother and sister is way more fun...tastes better too.

Last week I was mourning the fact that I was practically the only foreigner in Lienz and probably the only American in Osttirol, but after meeting some other "foreigners" living in town here, I am pretty pepped about being in Lienz.  I feel like I know everyone here, and meet everyone on the street.  I mean, I even had my students inviting me to drink a Glühwien with me in the Adventmarkt!

So, that is what life is like living in a foreign country...up and down, up and down.  Except I think this round is going easier than my first in Dijon.  Which is why I am not writing as much, because I tend to write more when I´m frustrated.  (Yes, and today was a frustrating day with one of my classes who I could not get to be quiet and focus.) 

Today is English Stammtisch, and I still have lots of errands to run before 4.  So, I hope you all are recovered from Thanksgiving feasting (I had potatoe soufflé with cabbage btw).  Until next time!

Anne