Grüßgott, ya'll: A guide to life in Germany
I'll be with Buddha for Christmas
posted 11/19/06
1. Grape wine or rice wine?
Soju.
2. Spam or squid jerky? (For those in Asia. See also #5.)
Canned marlin
3. Your favorite techno remix Christmas song?
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
4. Your favorite bizarre Christmas experience in your country of choice (or necessity)?
Christmas Eve, Beijing. All of the western restaurants were charging upwards of $60 per person for dinner, so after wandering around the expat district looking for a <i>real</i> Christmas dinner, I had an experience in a Chinese restaurant so reminiscent of the movie “A Christmas Story” that even writing about it makes me laugh.
5. 60 bucks: too much to pay for a turkey?
Always. But never for ham, glorious ham.
6. Can Santa find your overseas address?
Nope. Never does.
7. The word for Santa in the country where you live? (If there is a concept for him…)
I should look this up…
8. Real Christmas trees: can you find them?
I had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree my first year in China. No lie. It had 15 branches, maximum.
9. Number of times you’ve been forced to make pumpkin pie from real pumpkin?
I’m attempting it this year, but have had to make pecan pies with walnuts…
10. Best sub for rum to spike your eggnog?
Soj
11. Dinner with your friends or week-long trip to Thailand?
Dinner with friends…my school year conveniently ends on December 29th.
12. Number of months in advance you should send gifts home for them to arrive on time?
Three, I think. I shop online and dragoon others into doing my wrapping.
13. The maximum amount you’re willing to spend on a pint sour cream for Christmas recipes?
An exorbitant but imperative $10 to make mom’s cheese potatoes.
14. The number of times you’ve been able to actually find sour cream?
Three
15. Strangest gift you’ve received from home?
None. Christmas comes in January when I can visit home.
16. Strangest gift you’ve received from a native?
All completely normal even if unused.
Soju.
2. Spam or squid jerky? (For those in Asia. See also #5.)
Canned marlin
3. Your favorite techno remix Christmas song?
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
4. Your favorite bizarre Christmas experience in your country of choice (or necessity)?
Christmas Eve, Beijing. All of the western restaurants were charging upwards of $60 per person for dinner, so after wandering around the expat district looking for a <i>real</i> Christmas dinner, I had an experience in a Chinese restaurant so reminiscent of the movie “A Christmas Story” that even writing about it makes me laugh.
5. 60 bucks: too much to pay for a turkey?
Always. But never for ham, glorious ham.
6. Can Santa find your overseas address?
Nope. Never does.
7. The word for Santa in the country where you live? (If there is a concept for him…)
I should look this up…
8. Real Christmas trees: can you find them?
I had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree my first year in China. No lie. It had 15 branches, maximum.
9. Number of times you’ve been forced to make pumpkin pie from real pumpkin?
I’m attempting it this year, but have had to make pecan pies with walnuts…
10. Best sub for rum to spike your eggnog?
Soj
11. Dinner with your friends or week-long trip to Thailand?
Dinner with friends…my school year conveniently ends on December 29th.
12. Number of months in advance you should send gifts home for them to arrive on time?
Three, I think. I shop online and dragoon others into doing my wrapping.
13. The maximum amount you’re willing to spend on a pint sour cream for Christmas recipes?
An exorbitant but imperative $10 to make mom’s cheese potatoes.
14. The number of times you’ve been able to actually find sour cream?
Three
15. Strangest gift you’ve received from home?
None. Christmas comes in January when I can visit home.
16. Strangest gift you’ve received from a native?
All completely normal even if unused.
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