St. Martin's Day

We celebrated St. Martin's Day with our village today. It was really fun. Everyone met at the church. All of the kids (except Christian) had a lantern they had made (most of them at made theirs in school). Something went on in the church. I couldn't understand what they said, but the church was pretty. After that everyone lined up behind St. Martin, who was on a white horse, and we walked to a little bonfire. St. Martin talked for a bit, and then we all followed St. Martin to a community center. St. Martin called each child's name and gave them a bag of treats (a loaf of bread shaped like St. Martin complete with a little plastic pipe in his mouth, a couple of pieces of fruit and LOT of candy). After getting the candy, there was gluhwein, hot chocolate and cookies in the next room for the adults. Everyone stayed around and mingled for a bit. We really felt like part of the community. When they went around to collect money for the kids' candy and see who all would participate, they made sure that someone came to explain everything to us in English. During the celebration, he and his wife walked with us part of the way and lent Christian a lantern to carry. Everyone has been so nice to us.

A strange picture of Christian and Cliff just outside the church, I think.

A better picture

Christian and I waiting for the walk to start.

The beginning of the walk. You can see St. Martin wearing his red robe riding the white horse up ahead of everyone.

In the walking crowd

This is the room where we waited for the kids to get their camera. Everyone is watching St. Martin. The lady with the blond hair and blue scarf, Julie, is the one who lent Christian the lantern and explained the festival to us while we were walking. She was really nice, and had two little girls that Christian played with a little.

Christian getting his treat bag from St. Martin

Here he is with the very generous supply of candy and a few healthy things.