In Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany, you can take a tour of the city guided by a nightwatchman. He's dressed in black and carries a lantern and a halberd and talks about the history of the walled city, from medieval times to modern, when parts of the wall were destroyed by bombing during World War II. The tour is very interesting, and the city itself is the definition of picturesque.* This Christmas day I saw a short piece on some news program about holiday traditions around the world, and that evening's featured location was... Rothenburg! And they interviewed the same nightwatchman who led us on the tour seven and a half years ago. Quelle coincidence. It was great. I like seeing places I've been on TV or movies, even though it often makes me want to go back, and even though I tend to say "I've been there!" probably to the annoyance of my fellow viewers. Hurrah for a flashback to my treasured past. Here's a picture of the nightwatchman looking bemused by two of my compatriots.
If I knew how to say "Merry Christmas" in German I would. Failing that, merry Christmas, and happy travels into the New Year!*The modern definition, that is, not the more exact 19th century definition, as in Jane Austen's novels.
