Travelog for: xiaoxia

In the afternoon we had time for a sightseeing tour. This is a Lutheran church called Pauluskirche. At first we thought, that it is a gate. The church was built between 1908 and 1910, so it is younger than we thought it is.






Inside the church it is rather dark, so it was really difficult to take nice photos - they are just terribly dark.

Then we visited the catholic church Saint George. I really liked the colours and paintings.




We walked through Herrenkellergasse. At the corner to Rabengasse we found these nice old houses and had a nice view to the steeple of the Minster.






Internationally, Ulm is primarily known for having the church with the tallest steeple in the world (161.53 m (529.95 ft) high and 768 steps)., the Gothic minster (Ulm Minster, German: Ulmer Münster) built 1377-1891.




The Rathaus (Town Hall) was built in 1370, featuring some brilliantly-coloured murals dating from the mid-16th century. On the gable is an astronomical clock dating from 1520. Restored after serious damage in 1944.










The old Fischerviertel (fishermen's quarter) on the River Blau, with half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and picturesque footbridges is fascinating. An interesting sight here is the Schiefes Haus(crooked house), a 16th-century house today used as a hotel.







According to legend, construction of the spire of the Ulm Munster was halted while only halfway completed when a wagon carrying a large wooden beam - loaded sideways - arrived at the narrow city gate. After contemplating how best to proceed, the mayor of Ulm gave the order to tear down part of the city wall, but before the order was carried our, a sparrow-like bird was observed maneuvering a long twig into its nest - lengthwise! Following the lead of the sparrow, the beam was turned, the wagon passed through the narrow gate, work was resumed, the cathedral was completed, and the legend of the Ulmer Spätze was born.




At last we walked down to the river Danube and enjoyed the sunset.

This is the last view out of our room, short before we drove home again. This morning we have a nice view to the Ulm Minster.

Hello Mum,

today I arrived in Karlsruhe. Just I have slipped of my envelope. I am glad about the time with host-mum.
The weather here in Karlsruhe is not good, today it was very cold and foggy.

I was welcomed very friendly by Anton and Bär Schär. Bär Schär pays attention during my time here to me.
In my envelope was still another TV... Robby.

I am curious sometimes what I will experience here.

Best regards Xiaoxia

Hello mum,

host-mum worked in the last time so much, therefore, I could not contact up to now yet.

A new TV also came with us. Viola the small bear. She was already once with host-mum, because she has liked it so well, now she is there again.

Yesterday she has taken time for us (Robby, Viola an me) and we have decorated the flat for Christmas.

It has made us to all a lot of jokes. Many coloured lights.... this looks so nice!

Dear greetings
Xiaoxia

Hello mum,

today we were on the Christmas fair in Karlsruhe. I have well liked it really. Many coloured lights, everything was decorated so nicely.

Even the Santa Claus was there. He has come with a sledge and reindeers and has told to us a story. This was really nice!


Greetings
Xiaoxia

Hello mum,

two new TV came to host-mum. Zebra fr Hansen and Brook. We have well got on right away. The receipt was kind. I feel fine here properly.
The Christmas lighting has done it to me. Therefore, I have immediately hidden in the sledge as we had played hide and seek.

Unfortunately, Santa Clause does not come this year to host-mum, because she must work.

However, for it we go on Friday to Strasbourg, France. This becomes also nice absolutely.

Love Xiaoxia

Hello mum,

yesterday, we haven't gone to Strasbourg. It was the purest snow chaos in the streets. In addition, host mum is ill. We have postponed it until next week on Wednesday now.

We had nevertheless much fun. Since it has snowed so incredibly, we have a snowball fight made, a snowman built at once and zebra fr Hansen has his first ski attempts behind itself. He of course has fallen just to, however, hasn't hurt himself fortunately.

After that we have warmed ourselves up in the apartment. Host mum has built up a hayrack, this one looks really terrific!

Kind greetingsXiaoxia

Hello mum,

today we (host-mums parent, here sister and her boyfriend, Zebra fr Hansen, Viola, Robby, Brook) were  in Strasbourg on the Christmas fair.
It was wonderful. Everywhere it smelt of mulled wine, cinnamon, carnations, waffles, little cookies...

We have sauntered through the small lanes, have eaten something and have drunk.

We were also in the Strasbourger dome, but, unfortunately, there one was not allowed to fotograph. This would have become absolutely great pictures.

After we were again at home, we have celebrated resignation of Robby and me. It was nice here in Karlsruhe.


Dear greetings
Xiaoxia

Hi mum!
After a short trip I've safely arrived Austria. My hostmum Claudia was decorating a small christmas tree when the postman rang the doorbell. A lot of new friends welcame me I'm the happiest lion in the world!



This are Chacaice from Brazil and FinFin and Little T.B from Germany . Chacaice gave me a kiss 



I brought chocolate bears with me 



I've never decorated a christmas tree before so Claudia asked me if I should help her.. of course It's gonna be fun!
This is a typical austrian christmas needle beam..



Claudia bought some decoration.. Stars made from straw and christmas tree balls !



Can you see the red loop hanging on the tree? This is a typical christmas tree decoration from russia . The previous hostmum of Claudia's TV Lucy sent it to her. It looks great..doesn't it  !



Do you know what is absent? Of course.. presents and christmas cookies  the name of this cookies is gingerbread (german Lebkuchen) mmmh taste delicious 

Today is a great day for a little walk to the city centre of Graz. Claudia had a lot of stress so she also needs some time-out.
This is a nice walk which leads us along the river Mur.





austrian ducks





This is the "Murinsel".. an island on the river mur. There is a cafè on it.



We passed the island It's very nice there in summer for chilling





A catholic church



In the back of the picture you can see the house of art.. its the black one with the "knobs" on the roof



This is the clocktower. Its the landmark of Graz. The clocktower is positioned on small mountain (about 104m high) in the middle of the city. It's Claudia's favourite place in summer

christmas eve in Austria



On the 24th of december austrians celebrate christmas. There is a relation to religion. This is the day where jesus was born. In the daytime my hostmum decorated the christmas tree with christmas tree balls, stars made from straw, sweets (enveloped in coloured paper) and candles. The parents tell their children that the christ child has brought the christmas tree and put a lot of presents under the tree  . Children are always very excited on christmas eve and they are looking arround and hope to see the christ child flying arround the house. 





This is a crèche. It pictures the scene when jesus was born. Inside the house you can see jesus, his parents (Maria and Joseph), the three magi and animals like sheeps and bullocks.



presents 



mmmhh christmas coockies  They are made from Veronika.. she is the sister of my hostmum Claudia.





we lighted the candles 





I wish you merry christmas  love, Xiaoxia

Hi mum  I wish you a Happy New Year 2013!

Hi mum !
This is a great beginning of the new year  I spent a half day in Graz with sightseeing. Claudia showed me some nice places of the city!







This is a shopping street. It's name is "Herrengasse" This street leads us to the main place (Hauptplatz).







tram 





main place







this is a shopping mall named "Kastner & Öhler".







The clocktower.. the landmark of the city and a great place for relaxing 



Let's go upstairs 





clocktower at close range 



From the top of the hill you have a beautiful sight over the city.







































Ohh its such a beautiful place here 



Hope you like my pics  ! Love Xiaoxia

Hi!
The grandmother of my hostmum Claudia invited us for lunch. We went to her by car.. It was snowing during the previous night so it was a bit dangerous to drive but Claudia did it well



We had a typical austria dish: roast pork, sauerkraut, dumpling and roasted potato  mmh delicious



After the lunch we took a walk through the small village Fischbach. Fischbach has about 1600 inhabitants and is 1050m above sea level.















This is a typical austrian "restaurant". It's name is Kirchenwirt. (Kirche means church..because the restaurant is near the church.. and Wirt means host)