News for the Ramstein, Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl & Baumholder military communities in Germany 
A few hours south of Ramstein at Ischgl, the stage is set for another awesome season of snow, ice and memories to be made. Ischgl, located in Austria, has great restaurants, many apres-ski bars and nightclubs, fabulous shopping and entertainment opportunities at your beck and call.
For many folks, summer is the time to partake in fun outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, biking and barbecues. During the winter months, people can get wrapped up in spending their days bemoaning the cold and dreary winter months. However, wintertime doesn’t have to be this way — if you know where to look and where to go, the cold months in Europe can be just as recreational and exciting as summertime. Lucky for all of us, there are great ski and boarding clubs in the KMC that will help to ensure your winter is far from boring.
Many of us have heard of the term “culture shock.” Culture shock is the disorientation or unfamiliar feeling a person may have when trying to adjust to life in a new place. Symptoms include homesickness, feelings of helplessness or dependency; disorientation; depression or sadness; anger; eating or sleeping disturbances; or critical reactions to the new culture. Here are some helpful tips on how to overcome culture shock.
“Summer is a period of fruition, fulfillment, happiness or beauty. Winter is a period of time characterized by coldness, misery, barrenness or death.” — www.dictionary.com. Well unfortunately for many of us, that just about hits the nail on the head.
It is pronounced “Glue-vine,” and most people start sipping it mid-November. Nothing inspires the feeling of Christmas more than huddling together in the brisk winter air with a mug of steaming hot, sugared wine. There’s even a Christmas song devoted to its American relative; ever whistled the song “Here we go a Wassailing”? In high school, friends who were with me in the show choir would all gather one night during the holiday season and wander around the block singing to their neighbors. We would enjoy being together with cocoa or warm apple cider while the parents sang a little more boisterously, their sound pipes fueled by their cups of mulled wine.
New Year’s is approaching quickly once again, which means it’s time to think about where the right place is for you, your family or friends to spend this wonderful time of year. There are many breathtaking places to go to bring in the new year while living in Germany, so why not see 2015 off with a bang in one of the world’s best cities? Here are top three cities and parties in Europe to go to on New Year’s Eve.
Deck your walls with Christmas crafts! Crafts are a fantastic way to bring families together, and make a little holiday cheer. Many kids cannot think beyond opening the presents the morning of the 25th. However, there are so many other joyous memories to make during this time of year.
A visit to Maastricht is about relishing the good life. Enjoying the crisp winter air with a warm cup of Gluehwein, eating traditional Maastricht delights and strolling along the cobblestoned streets while gazing at the illuminated trees are all part of the lure for tourists this holiday season.
German Christmas markets have inspired a sense of community cheer and holiday merriment for over 400 years. Amidst the dark days and cold nights, it is easy to be dreary and avoid venturing out. Historically, days near or on Dec. 25 have always been celebrated in multiple cultures as a crucial day of the year: Egyptians paid homage to their key gods; Romans celebrated the sun god Saturn during this season; and every year Germanic ancestors started multiple midwinter festivals near the winter solstice.
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