La Magie de Noël

Even though it doesn't feel like it to me.. Christmas is definitely upon us! The magic of the Christmas markets has been going on for a few weeks now in Alsace. It's really pretty and all, but I have to admit that I am sick of tourists. There are so many people there every time you go, you have to fight your way around all of them. I'll be honest, the sole reason that I will go fight the crowds of people is to make my way towards the "beignet" stand, which is a legit american donut with Nutella in the middle. Oh mon dieu.. they are amazing. Besides the beignets, people usually go to the markets to drink hot wine (headache in a plastic cup), eat unhealthy food, and do some shopping. Most of the stuff they have at the stands is crap, but if you want a stork shaped hat or an overpriced sculpture of your dog then this is the place to find it.

Last night I took the train back from Turckheim and I got out at the station to find the first snow! Finally! It's been raining here for like 2 weeks straight.. I never thought I'd be so thrilled to see snow. In other news, I am coming home on Thursday night! Today my goal is to start to do some serious packing.. I have so much stuff here I think that I need to start bringing it home. Not to mention I'm going to have a whole bag of xmas gifts too. Ugh! I hate luggage. See you all very soon :)

The Strasbourg Markets

Roomie & Meg eating some beignet! Delish.

Christmas isn't complete without some mistletoe!

Huge Advent Calendar in the Turckheim city center

Eguisheim decorated for xmas

Eguisheim again

Colmar markets! I miss my old stomping grounds

My favorite pic.. doesn't even look real, does it?

"Mixte" Feelings

Yesterday Kristen and I decided to go to the spa in Baden-Baden, Germany for our Wednesday excursion. I went once last year and LOVEDddd it! It's kinda awkward because you are completely naked the entire time.. but once you get used to it it's good and really relaxing (since my life is so stressful right now). Rick Steve's describes it as a naked, bewildering experience. Especially for those blind tourists that aren't allowed to wear their glasses into the spa. Kristen's never been before and was really nervous, but I told her that it'd be fine, it's all girls, no big deal. Well we get there.. and discover that it is a "mixte" day.. meaning "mixed"... as in Men and Women together. Naked. The whole time. Umm ok here's the point where I get a little nervous. But we took the train an hour to get there, and there was no turning back. We had to face it. We voiced our nervousness to the girl at the desk and she said she'd send us on the side that most people don't go to.

We got into the spa, and thankfully the lady was right, there weren't many people there at all. We did a 16 step spa treatment, including saunas, thermal baths, full body exfoliation and my favorite part.. the "resting" room, where a big German lady comes and wraps you up in big blankets. You feel like you're back in the womb. I could have slept in there for hours. The reason I like it so much is that afterwards my skin is so soft and I feel so rejuvenated! I think I need to go every week..

Next we went to a typical German bierstub for lunch! The most amazing food ever. If I lived in Germany I think I'd weigh 400 lbs. After lunch we did a little bit of shopping, and hopped on the train to come back to Stras. Another great day in this fairy tale that I call life..

Heading into the Spa.. feeling a bit nervous after the "mixte" discovery

Refreshed after the spa treatment! Ja!

Time to shove my face with some fattening German food.. I sweat out some calories in the sauna, right?

Kristen and I finally found some German Boyfriends.

Proust.

Eskimo Kisses!