Familie Schultz

 Oma Irene, Jamie, Margaret (Oma's sister)

Hartwig (Opa's brother), Jamie, Opa Jochen

Diet & Exercise

All week I have told myself that I am going to wake up bright and early to go on a morning run.  The only problem is that the sun doesn't rise until shortly after eight and it will set again this afternoon at half past three.  Pretty tough to find some motivation to get outside when its pitch black and below freezing.  Finally got out after breakfast today and glad I did, just look at the view!  

The run was much needed after what I have been eating here in Germany.  Haven't even tried to explain Paleo!  I quickly learned that tea and cake is an essential gathering that takes place at least two times a day.  I can’t complain though because everything I have eaten has been incredible.  Yesterday Oma & I walked to the bakery for our bread, the butcher for our meat and the local farm (left) for fresh milk & eggs.  You couldn’t get food fresher than that!

  

Bratwurst & Glühwein…It must be Christmas!

Germany is famous for its Christmas markets, with more than 2,500 across the country.  Many tourists go to Christmas Markets to shop, while locals go to socialize. 

Some tables are filled with traditional Christmas gifts but the most important stands sell glühwein and bratwurst! 

Glühwein is hot spiced wine made from red wine that is heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla pods, citrus and sugar.  I shared a glass of glühwein with some German friends before I left the states but glühwein in sunny sixty-degree weather is just not the same experience.  Here in Hamburg (wearing three jackets, two pairs of pants, a hat, scarf and a pair of gloves), a glass of mulled wine was the perfect way to defrost after a tour of the city.  No tourist should make it through a Christmas Market without at least one mug of Glühwein!  

 

Sittensen, Germany

So fortunate to be able to spend some time with "family" in Germany before heading up to Denmark for the semester.  The twins (Tom & Julie) grandparents picked me up at the airport in Hamburg and brought me back to their home in the small town of Sittensen, population 5,000.  First, let me say, that I am thankful to be alive after the drive home from the airport!  I was holding on to my seat during the entire trip!  If you can read the speedometer in the picture below, it says 190km per hour, that's 118 mph!  What grandpa do you know drives 118 mph?  Needless to say, there is no speed limit on the autobahn! 

Their home is absolutely beautiful, it will definitely be tough to leave here next week!  I have an upstairs studio to stay in which consists of two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and a balcony with incredible views.  Definitely feeling spoiled!  

All I Want For Christmas...

So as many of you have heard, I will be spending this Christmas on a flight to Copenhagen.  A last minute decision has me studying at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark next semester.  Ill start off with a Danish Language and Culture course in January, followed by a semester of international law classes.  And before heading back to the states, I hope to spend some time in Germany with my good friends Tom, Julie & Emilia!  My plan is to post pictures and stories of my studies and travels so we can all experience this adventure together.  There are still many details that need to be sorted out so I will provide everyone with an address and phone number as soon as I know!