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Vig. Epiph. Dni.
Jan. 4th, 2006 09:28 pmThere was probably some evil demon at work to ensure that the Magi came by while I was in the shower.
Let´s back up a bit. There´s a custom in Konstanz (and I think elsewhere in SW Germany) of people (especially children) going round the town every year on Epiphany to write the initials of Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, along with the year (*20*C+B+M*06*), on the doors or doorposts of all the houses. I think it´s also prety common for them to dress up as the aforesaid three wise men. Probably not as traditional for all of them to be girls...but hey, it´s the 21st century. I, meantime, had gotten home after a long day of travelling, and, among other things, I wanted to go running. On my return, I see three kids in costumes (with mother) walking down the street...but they didn´t show up for a while, so I got in the shower.
THEN the doorbell rang.
"Just a minute!" I yelled, hurrying out of the shower and trying to find a bathrobe. When I got out of the apartment, however, the three kings were on the way out--apparently having failed to find anyone in the building. "Wait, Mama, here´s someone!" yelled the littlest, turning around in the doorway.
"Somewhat wet, but someone..." I replied.
So all three of them (complete with star) sang me a song, and recited speaches, and I now have Patschovsky´s door chalked for another year.
Let´s back up a little bit more. I spent a quiet few days in Cambridge, going for walks and seeing a few things, but mostly taking long walks (necessary to get anywhere, since Julie and Nick live out in Grantchester, abt. 2 miles from town), speed-reading through two Terry Pratchetts, and just enjoying being in Cambridge. On the fourth, though, I got up at 5:30 to catch a 6:30 train--both, as it turned out, way earlier than necessary, but one likes to be sure about these things. The rest of my journey home was quite straightforward, though. But I´m still sleepy.
Update: I was going to post another entry detailling my previous Christmas adventures, but Grace has already done it better than I could. You can view her account here.
Let´s back up a bit. There´s a custom in Konstanz (and I think elsewhere in SW Germany) of people (especially children) going round the town every year on Epiphany to write the initials of Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, along with the year (*20*C+B+M*06*), on the doors or doorposts of all the houses. I think it´s also prety common for them to dress up as the aforesaid three wise men. Probably not as traditional for all of them to be girls...but hey, it´s the 21st century. I, meantime, had gotten home after a long day of travelling, and, among other things, I wanted to go running. On my return, I see three kids in costumes (with mother) walking down the street...but they didn´t show up for a while, so I got in the shower.
THEN the doorbell rang.
"Just a minute!" I yelled, hurrying out of the shower and trying to find a bathrobe. When I got out of the apartment, however, the three kings were on the way out--apparently having failed to find anyone in the building. "Wait, Mama, here´s someone!" yelled the littlest, turning around in the doorway.
"Somewhat wet, but someone..." I replied.
So all three of them (complete with star) sang me a song, and recited speaches, and I now have Patschovsky´s door chalked for another year.
Let´s back up a little bit more. I spent a quiet few days in Cambridge, going for walks and seeing a few things, but mostly taking long walks (necessary to get anywhere, since Julie and Nick live out in Grantchester, abt. 2 miles from town), speed-reading through two Terry Pratchetts, and just enjoying being in Cambridge. On the fourth, though, I got up at 5:30 to catch a 6:30 train--both, as it turned out, way earlier than necessary, but one likes to be sure about these things. The rest of my journey home was quite straightforward, though. But I´m still sleepy.
Update: I was going to post another entry detailling my previous Christmas adventures, but Grace has already done it better than I could. You can view her account here.
