Dare I make a new year's resolution about actually keeping this blog going? Since most resolutions end up being broken, I'd better not! It's already Epiphany, as those with a religious inclination will know, and the Christmas/New Year festivities are over, barring today's regal/wisely rites which are apparently celebrated quite widely in Austria. The last couple of days we have seen small groups of teenagers dressed up as the Wise Men in various parts of town (there was even one at the aiport when Christopher left on Monday!) but I'd have to look up what it is that Austrians actually do on this day. Well, at least they don't give out toys to appease the poor like they did in the DomRep with an eye to the next vote! What a budget-draining, paternalistic affair that used to be!
Anyway, we spent most of the "holiday period" as family as we always tried to do wherever we were in our global wanderings, celebrating quietly on Christmas Eve as is the tradition in most of Continental Europe, as well as on Christmas Day. Christopher had come over from New York having luckily got out a few hours before a major blizzard hit the North-East, and stayed until last Monday. Despite stated intentions we ended up buying each other many more presents than we should have/needed to. Everyone ended up with something they really liked or wanted as well as a few less-than-essential goodies. Among my gifts was a digital picture frame which is forcing me to finally start to do something with the thousands of photos I have taken over the last few years! My ambitions remain to sort out the best of the best and maybe exhibit them somehow. In the meantime here are a few family shots from the recent festivities.
Anyway, we spent most of the "holiday period" as family as we always tried to do wherever we were in our global wanderings, celebrating quietly on Christmas Eve as is the tradition in most of Continental Europe, as well as on Christmas Day. Christopher had come over from New York having luckily got out a few hours before a major blizzard hit the North-East, and stayed until last Monday. Despite stated intentions we ended up buying each other many more presents than we should have/needed to. Everyone ended up with something they really liked or wanted as well as a few less-than-essential goodies. Among my gifts was a digital picture frame which is forcing me to finally start to do something with the thousands of photos I have taken over the last few years! My ambitions remain to sort out the best of the best and maybe exhibit them somehow. In the meantime here are a few family shots from the recent festivities.
