Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Courtesy photo

Polizei patrol Christmas markets, conduct DUI checks

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

During the holiday season, German Polizei patrol more and conduct more traffic controls in combination with DUI checks in the Westpfalz.

December 12, 2013 ×

Lifestyle

Courtesy photosThe Christmas market in St. Wendel also features a medieval market through Dec. 15.

Sankt Wendel hosts Christmas/medieval market

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The City of Sankt Wendel will hold its Christmas market combined with a medieval market Saturday to Dec. 15. More than 130 little decorated houses and booths will offer arts and crafts, gift ideas and regional culinary specialties from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

December 5, 2013 ×

Lifestyle

Santa Claus traditionally makes his appearance at Christmas markets and passes out candy to little children.

Santa Claus visits children today

Story and photo by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Today, Germans observe “Nikolaustag,” or Santa Claus Day. Traditionally, on the night of Dec. 5, children place their boots outside their rooms to have them filled by Santa Claus with candy, cookies, nuts, oranges and little gifts during the night.

December 5, 2013 ×

Lifestyle

Col. Leslie Smith (left), 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, carves a turkey at the Rhineland Inn dining facility Nov. 28 on Ramstein. Base leadership volunteered to serve a Thanksgiving meal to Airmen and their families as a way to boost morale and provide a low-cost option. Turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, two types of gravy, green beans and corn were some of the Thanksgiving items served as part of this Thanksgiving holiday tradition.

Taste of home for the holiday

                   

December 5, 2013 ×

Lifestyle

Courtesy photo

Christmas Stollen! It’s just not Christmas without it!

by Nicole Karsch-Meibom
Contributing writer

If you haven’t tasted it yet, go ahead! Stollen — or German Christmas bread — is a holiday season must have. With almonds, fruits and marzipan, this cake is a typical Advent delight in Germany.

November 28, 2013 ×

Lifestyle

Meet Santa And His Friends

Meet Santa And His Friends

by Nicole Karsch-Meibom
Contributing writer

The Christmas tradition has many variations around the world. Santa and his “friends” also take on different names, depending on the part of the world. Tomte, Sinterklaas, Ded Moros, Pere Noel, la Befana, Weihnachtsmann and Santa Claus are just a few of the titles given to this jolly holiday man and his friends.

November 28, 2013 ×

Lifestyle

Christmas markets offer holiday shopping, entertainment

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Germany has already started ringing in the holiday season with the opening of many Christmas markets this week. And Kaiserslautern was no exception. Kaiserslautern’s market kicked off Monday. And during every Advent weekend, different villages in the KMC will start presenting their Christmas markets, too.

November 28, 2013 ×

Lifestyle

Courtesy photoA statue of Saint Nicholas is pictured here in Bari, Italy.

Bishop St. Nicholas buried in Bari, Italy

by Annie Valentine
Contributing writer

If you happen to be in the neighborhood of Bari, Italy, on Dec. 6, be sure to swing by and pay tribute to the remains of Saint Nicholas — not to be confused with Santa Claus, who is most certainly alive and well and won’t be leaving home this year until Dec. 24.

November 28, 2013 ×

Lifestyle

Courtesy photo

Make your own Advent wreath

Story and photos by Nicole Karsch-Meibom
Contributing writer

Celebrating Advent is such a lovely opportunity to get together and enjoy the spirit of the season.

November 28, 2013 ×

Lifestyle

Photo courtesy of Heidelberg MarketingMark Twain impersonator and tour guide Klaus Mombrei leads visitors to sites around Heidelberg during “In the Footsteps of Mark Twain.”

In the Footsteps of Mark Twain

by Cori Bolger Shirk
Contributing writer

Wherever Mark Twain trod, his fans are sure to follow. They trek to the American author’s homes in Hannibal, Mo., and Hartford, Conn. They cruise along the great Mississippi River by steamboat. Above all, they travel by imagination, soaking up his written word.

November 28, 2013 ×
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