Danke, Nikolo!

What a lovely weekend it’s been! The week itself was full of ups and downs, but the last 24 hours have more than made up for it. One of the ups: On Wednesday we held our first film in the Stainach English Film Series. We watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and the students who showed up (about 14) really enjoyed it. Our next film is A Christmas Story on December 17.

Speaking of Christmas traditions, this weekend I went to Öblarn to attend the Nikolospiel (St. Nicholas Play). The play is performed outside (yes, in December!) on the town square. The basic plot: A mountain family is discussing whether devils and saints really do exist. They are visited one winter night by Krampusse and other strange creatures (goats, moss men, straw figures known as the Schab) led by Lucifer. They are wild, noisy and violent. (Dear Santa, this year I want a camera that takes videos with sound)

Then St. Nicholas arrives to send the evils back to the depths where they came from. But not before reading the sins of the family out loud, indicating what must change in the coming year or Lucifer and Co. will be back! You can read more here.

I was especially interested in these straw figures which are about 6-7 feet tall without their horns. With the horns they must be 15 feet tall. They snap their whips in rhythm and it was really an impressive, if short, performance

On Sunday, my friends Ingrid and Theresia took me hiking in St. Nikolai. There were about 10 cm of new fallen snow, and it was really a winter wonderland. We had lunch at a country inn.

On Monday, I met Ash and Caitlin for lunch, then had dinner with adult students from the night school in Aigen. It was fabulous, and so nice to meet new people!

On Tuesday morning when I arrived at school (after a three day weekend!) there was a chocolate St. Nicholas in my box. I don't know who put it there, so all I can say is "Danke, Nikolo!"

omg, the moon just swallowed Venus!

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!

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