Happy New Year, Everyone!
December flew by in a blur as my first term came to a close, filled with tests and assignments. My host sister and I continued our daily walks, exploring new places and even tackling a massive puzzle that kept us busy for ages.
A Bright Christmas in Southampton
One of the things that struck me about Southampton was the abundance and vibrancy of the Christmas lights and decorations compared to Germany. There was one house, in particular, that was decorated like crazy!
Flying Home for the Holidays
On Thursday, 17 December, I flew back to Germany for the holidays. Organising the trip myself made me a bit nervous, especially since it was only my second time flying solo. But everything went smoothly, and my dad picked me up in Hamburg before we drove home.
The first few days back felt strange yet familiar. I enjoyed re-exploring my hometown and realised how much I love it. My family and I went on bike tours and, as is our tradition, cut our Christmas tree.
Christmas Celebrations
In Germany, we celebrate on Christmas Eve. We spent the morning decorating our tree, and instead of our usual church visit in the afternoon, we took a three-hour walk due to Covid restrictions. After dinner, we opened our presents, including gifts I brought from England, which my family loved.
A Snowy Adventure
On the 27th, we drove to the nearest mountains and saw snow, which was exciting since it rarely snows where I live!
A Quiet New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve was quieter than usual due to a ban on selling fireworks, so my parents and I spent the evening playing board games with friends. At midnight, we went outside and, to our surprise, saw many fireworks despite the restrictions.
I returned to England on Sunday, the third, and now I'm spending my first day in quarantine.
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