A Soulful Bavarian Christmas

Christmas in Germany was so festive. Downtown Ansbach they had a festival. Though it was wintery cold, it was all outdoors but once you got into it, you didn't even notice the night time cold. It was Christmas German style. They had live bands that played you know --German music and the musicians were dressed in traditional German attire. There were booths set up selling their wares; jewelry, toys, artwork, etc. The aroma was so Norman Rockwell-ish only Von Trapp family style. They sold the most delicious candy apples that were made right on the spot. The gooey sugary goodness was in part the aroma that added warmth to the festival. Also brewing were roasting nuts, candied nuts and warm soothing drinks.

The little town was draped in white Christmas lights haphazardly strung about but adding charm to the simplicity of the scenery. It wasn't the grandeur decorations American style, which in this case would have taken away more than it could offer. Part of what made the festival so appealing was the contrast of how minimal the decorations were, giving way to the true spirit of the season which burst through the Bavarian air in song, smells and sounds.

I think the festival lasted a full week and each night as soon as I got off duty, I rushed into my civilian clothes and headed downtown. Living in the barracks with no tree or real Christmas decor, the festival was all I had in the way of getting into the spirit. It was so different from my American culture (not a Santa to be seen) I soaked every bit of it up. On occasion, I'd get a ping of homesickness realizing I'd not be home for Christmas but mostly, especially after had been home a short time ago, I was learning to better deal with the homesickness. It was there and I was sad but it did not over take me.

My dear grandmother had sent me several packages and in one she sent me a Christmas tree made out of felt that you put over an empty coffee can. I doubt she made it but I'm sure she picked it up at some church bazaar type thing. I had that sitting on my shelf and then all around it, the many presents that were sent to me from home. My roommates were jealous I had a "tree" and so many packages. I felt so loved. My family did a most tremendous job helping cope with my first Christmas away from home. They were all magnificent.

On Christmas day I woke up early, like any excited child would do, and I proceeded to my "tree" and looked at all of my presents. Yes, I was coping much better with the homesickness but that doesn't mean I wasn't sad. I was. It was Christmas morning and here I sat alone in my barracks room (my roommates were asleep). I sat on my bed alone and one by one opened each package. My heart did long for home but somehow I was still content.

Later that day my roommate and I went over to her NCOIC's house where several military families were gathered. It was my first taste Soul Food, though I passed on the greens which looked like mowed over mush to me. Oh and, I passed on the chitlins too. The setting and food was not like any of my childhood Christmases --it didn't feel like Christmas to me but it was nice, it was festive and it wasn't mess hall food! Thank goodness. SSG B's (the NCOIC) children were playing about with their new Christmas toys. It was nice to be around little ones as living in the barracks I hardly ever saw children.

Christmas came and went, like any other year but this year, I got to see it from two very different cultural views; German and that soulful southern living. Unknown to me at the time, I was changing from that sheltered suburban Chicago girl into a woman whose destiny was going to do a 360 turn. My heart was getting further and further from Chicago and what lay ahead was 100% the opposite of what I thought I had planned for my life.