Krampusnacht ("Night of Krampus")

Today, during my after-school German lesson, we learned about a holiday here called Krampusnacht from our teacher.  She told us about this age-old tradition here in Austria and Hungary that is now more common in villages than in cities.

According to http://www.krampus.com/who-is-krampus.php , "Krampus is the dark companion of St. Nicholas, the traditional European winter gift-bringer who rewards good children each year on December 6. The kindly old Saint leaves the task of punishing bad children to a hell-bound counterpart," which is Krampus.

From this website http://www.austriantimes.at/news/Panorama/2009-12-04/18599/Krampus_and_Nikolaus_to_visit_Austria_this_weekend :  

In Austria, 5 and 6 December are the Krampus and St Nicholas, or Nikolaus in German, feast days.  Krampus is a mythical devil who accompanies Saint Nicholas in various regions of the world during the Christmas season. He is often portrayed as a terrifying devil carrying a huge stick or a whip with which to beat bad children.

In Alpine regions, Krampus is represented by a demon-like creature accompanying Saint Nicholas. He gives gifts to good children, while Krampus gives warnings and punishments to bad children.

Traditionally, young men dress up as Krampus during the first two weeks of December, particularly on the evening of 5 December, and roam the streets frightening children and women with rusty chains and bells.

In some rural areas, the tradition also includes Krampus beating people with sticks, especially girls and young women.

Modern Krampus costumes consist of Larve (wooden masks), sheep's skin, and horns. Masks are handcrafted with great skill, and many younger adults in rural communities compete in Krampus events.

I found this recent photo of this parade in Salzburg on this website:  http://www.thirdyearabroad.com/german/item/1383-krampus-run-austria.html.

I also found a YouTube clip of a Krampus parade.  If you feel so inclined to watch a few seconds of it to see some costumes, you can click here.

Intriguing!

Christmas Markets in Vienna, Part 3

Last Sunday, I went to one final Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace last Sunday.

I tried to take some photos, but they didn't turn out that well because the palace was against the sun.  You can check out this website for more photos and information about the palace.

A kitschy Mozart guy

Lights, Camera...Christmas Action!

As promised, here are photos of the GORGEOUS lights that Mallory and I saw on my birthday after we ate.

I might plan to take a few walks around downtown before I go home for Christmas in a few weeks, just to see these!

Here's the latest street musician.  Check out his guitar thing!  :-P

U.N. Christmas Bazaar Fun

Yesterday was a charity bazaar at the United Nations complex here in Vienna.  It's a ten-minute train ride from my apartment, and I pass it every day on my way to school.  There were over 70 countries represented at the bazaar, and each country sold its own food and handicrafts.

You could also get henna done on your body.  (I did not.)

This Polish guy was playing Christmas songs w/ a saw.  I walked by while he was playing "Silent Night".  It was actually very cool!

Carving out Dutch wooden shoes

I ate some Indonesian food for therapy!

(Indonesia still has a very special place in my heart.)

Many students from my school volunteered to help with children's booths.  I walked by and ended up getting my face painted.  Unfortunately for me, the only thing they knew how to paint was a cat.  (I'm not a cat person!)

Lastly, here's the American booth, in case you didn't have a clue.  They sold Oreos (I don't know why, b/c you can buy those easily here in the stores), chili dogs, and something else I forget.

It was fun and therapeutic to see so much diversity in one room!  :)

Christmas Markets in Vienna, Part 2

Last weekend, I went gallivanting around the city in search of the Christmas markets.

(Note:  Overall, there's a huge hype about these markets that gets you excited and makes you think they're going to be these huge events.  In reality, most of them are small and have only about 10 - 15 stalls, half of which sell various alcoholic drinks.  Several sell chintzy, new age stuff, too, so they're not as traditional or classic as what they're made out to be.  Austrians agree with me.  

Also, most of the markets sell the same products!  

As a tourist, I feel slightly disappointed.)

I ended up going to about 5 or 6.  For a few of those, I walked through quickly and was done in less than 5 minutes for reasons listed above.  

Have I mentioned I'm SO tired of smelling beer?  If not...I'm super tired of smelling beer!  Christmas markets sell it in a variety of flavors, and it's so gross.  They also sell expensive, snacky food, like potato wedges, some kind of roasted nuts, wurstel (long hot dog things), and stuff that looks like fried macaroni.  I've never bought any of it, mainly b/c of the price, but also because the smell of all that plus fruity, strong - smelling beer makes me sick and want to leave ASAP.

Anyways, here are some photos of my escapade last weekend as I hunted for these markets.

(I only took photos of things I saw at 2 markets b/c, like I've said, I've seen the same stuff at each market.)

Just walking through the city...

Some weird children's store

This is a concert hall where tourists get ripped off!

The carriage driver should be watching the street, not the tourists!

This was the only market I've been to that has an attractive sign.

Nutcracker heaven

Polish Pottery

Apparently, that's a big thing over here.  Each piece is unique because it's hand-painted.  They're definitely beautiful but SOOO expensive!

Advent wreaths

Who needs a rocking horse when you can have a rocking moose??!?

:)