Devil's Night 2008

It's Krampus night in Irdning! Heavy metal music, pyrotechnics, good vs. evil... What's not to like!? Last year I wrote about Krampus in Stainach and Schladming. This picture showing the juxtaposition of Christmas decorations with devil figures and the security guy pretty much sums up the atmosphere of Krampus night:

There were plenty of St. Nikolas' running around with angels to save everybody's soul.

This year there were some new costumes (remember the bat?):
And some very realistic masks (it's the eyes that always get me!):
And some lovely, traditional carved wooden masks:
I think this one was my favorite!

Thanksgiving and More!

It's been a big week, and most of my classes consisted of discussing Thanksgiving (pilgrims, Squanto, Louisiana fried turkey, green bean casserole, turducken, football, Black Friday). Thanksgiving was also my big shopping day. Thursdays I usually teach in Liezen, but my schedule is such that I arrive at 9:00 am and am kept busy until 4:00 pm. By that time I'm too tired to walk back into town and shop. This Thursday, however, I didn't have to teach. I rode with my favorite bus driver into Liezen, and proceeded to help the Austrian economy by shopping for clothes, books, speakers for my laptop, etc. I also had coffee in my favorite cafe and a pre-Thanksgiving salad in my favorite kebab house. At 4:00 pm, Rob and I met at Caitlin's place and prepared the traditional Upper Styrian Thanksgiving dinner: turkey schnitzel and mashed potatoes. We also found (wait for it!) real Pillsbury crescent rolls! Frau Auer, Caitlin's neighbor contributed broccoli, and I made an apple pie for dessert, which we served with vanilla ice cream. Heaven!!!

I have been keeping busy with 13 hours of teaching per week, plus at least 5-6 hours of tutoring. Last weekend, I went to a pottery workshop with Irene where we learned some free form pottery techniques, then made some items to be glazed and fired for Christmas. We drove home in nearly white-out conditions in some places.

Tomorrow is the Krampus parade in Irdning (unfortunately scheduled for the same night as the big Krampus parade in Schladming). Hopefully there will be some of the more traditional Krampusse in Irdning (wooden homemade masks instead of store-bought plastic). Next weekend there is a Krampus event in Öblarn that I've been waiting a year to see! These are the straw figures known as the Schab (note whips in hands). If they aren't cool, I don't know what is!

Grimming in Snow

Still snowing!

36 hours later, it's *still* snowing in the Enns Valley (6.5 inches = 16.25 cm)! When I get the courage to venture out in the 20 degree weather, I'll snap a few more pictures!

and SNOW it begins...

It's snowing! * When I got in tonight * there was just about * 1 cm on the ground. * * Then I looked at AccuWeather.com where * they are predicting 106 cm over the next * five days! Of * course, * * that's * just in the mountains, * * but I imagine some snow * will filter down to the valleys making * the Ennstal a * winter wonderland. * * I'm glad I've stocked * up on cocoa * and carbohydrates!

* * * * * * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * *

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

That's right! 33 years ago today (November 10, 1975) the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in a storm on Lake Superior. We listened to the song in two classes today and I taught my students about American ballads and the mnemonic device for the Great Lakes (HOMES). I also read off the names of the 29 crew members since we didn't have a church bell.

So, be honest... do you get a tear in your eye, or lump in your throat when you hear Gordon Lightfoot's song? I look forward to reading your response in the COMMENTS!

What a week!

Where to begin?

Last Friday, I went to the anglophile party where I indeed met lots of interesting people! The venue was a beautiful Thai restaurant/inn, run by a Brit. Saturday I began my novel for National Novel Writing Month. Over the next three days I wrote 5309 words. And then... the election hit.

As an American assistant in the Austrian school system, I am responsible for teaching not only "American" English, but also American culture. This means that since January I have had to be the expert on the 2008 election and American politics in general. Let me say now that I am glad that the election is over! And I extend thanks and congratulations from all of my friends, students and colleagues in Austria to the entire United States of America. You made a good choice!

The first of November was All Saints Day (the reason for Halloween... I also have to be the expert on American holidays!). Since Austria is predominantly Catholic, everyone goes to the cemetery and lights candles on the graves of their loved ones. At night, the view is spectacular! In the distance you can see the Grimming, Schloss Trautenfels and the church in Pürgg:


We are enjoying the most beautiful days of Indian Summer, and we have been reading McCutcheon’s Injun Summer in school, in conjunction with a unit on native Americans. Tonight there is a native American performance at CCW, the local cultural center.
The big news is that Nicholas Cage is filming a movie in Bad Aussee and is reportedly staying at Schloss Pichlarn, less than a mile away from my house!!!

I am going back to writing today (the blog is just my warm-up!). Unfortunately, this cartoon pretty much sums up my writing routine: