Hotel in Sydney

I found a charming and affordable accommodation in Sydney where I will stay for the first week: Glenferrie Lodge. Located in Kirribilli close to the harbour, north of the bridge, in what looks like a quiet street.

Ah and BTW, the Australian Prime Minister lives just 100 metres away. :)

More snow

Everything went so smooth in the last days with my last preparations for Australia, it was amazing. There were mainly financial and paperwork items to tick off my to-do list. I returned my apartment to the landlord in perfect condition and got my full security bond back, and I successfully sold my kitchen to the next tenants.

Last night gave us 10 cm of new snow -- look our garden, isn't it beautiful? I had a lovely afternoon relaxing in 4 hours of sauna at Königstherme. Now I feel like a newborn human being!

ImproCity

Last time fun playing with my improv theatre group in Augsburg!

You guys rock. I'm really proud of you all. Keep up the good work and be brave. :)

Countdown to my takeoff: 7 days.

Saint Nicholas Day

On the 6th of December Germany celebrates Saint Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas comes to bring small presents to all children. But beware - he has a rough companion, Knecht Ruprecht!

One of the two was me tonight - guess who? (Answer: the more fun role! ;)

Final day in the office

My last day in the office at NCR Augsburg! I can't count how many times I was wished good luck and a great time in Down Under. I will really miss my colleagues!

The team has as much heart as humor. They presented me €€€ and $$$ so that I can buy my usual Friday morning Leberkäs while I am away from home (with a list of addresses where I can find this South-German speciality in Oz). I was really moved.

Advent Sunday

In Germany there is a tradition of having an Advent wreath with four candles on it: in the four weeks before Christmas, each Sunday one more candle is lit until all four are on.

Today was the first of these four Sundays, so the first candle was lit.

Raisting

Yesterday I was invited to a dance night in Raisting, south of lake Ammersee.

There were dance performances from various cultures of the world. Heidi sang Somewhere over the Rainbow; we all learned a Hawaiian dance; Anita, Stephan, Barbara and I played some Irish Folk, and afterwards there was free dance, where I was introduced to a technique named Contact Improvization -- thanks a lot Judith, I greatly enjoyed the evening!