Fall Festival

Friday night at the older girls’ school they had a Fall Festival. There were “goodies” served. However, when I go to things like this, I am subtly reminded that I am in another country. Goodies: Bundt cakes, Asian noodles, apple strudel, flat bread, fruit cake, tangerines, Swiss chocolate, a host of delectable baked breads, Indian vegetable pockets … did I forget anything? You can tell right away what the Americans bring … no bake cookies and potato chips. How uncreative is that?

Fall Food

Despite the time change, more clouds, and less sun, I am gearing up for fall in Vienna. Everything is seasonal here.

Pumpkins are in season, so you can get pumpkins in every sort, size and shape. The best pumpkin soup on the planet is found in any café in Vienna.

I just saw my first Maroni vender the other day on my way to the U-Bahn (subway). Maroni (chestnuts) is sold only this time of year through the end of December. You can get them from vendors who roast them on large black kettles. You get about 6 for 2 euro … and since I just found out that they have little fat and lots of vitamins … I’m saving every penny to indulge in this seasonal treat!

Fall Holidays

Tomorrow is a catholic holiday, All Saints Day. I’m just gonna copy what the Wikipedia says about it. All Saints' Day (in the Roman Catholic Church officially the Solemnity of All Saints and also called All Hallows or Hallowmas[1]), often shortened to All Saints, is a solemnity celebrated on 1 November in Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity, in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. In terms of Western Christian theology, the day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. It is a national holiday in many historically Catholic countries. In the Roman Catholic Church, the next day, All Souls' Day, specifically commemorates the departed faithful who have not yet been purified and reached heaven. Christian denominations celebrate All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day because of the fundamental belief that there is a prayerful spiritual communion between those in the state of grace who have died and are either being purified in purgatory or are in heaven (the 'church penitent' and the 'church triumphant', respectively), and the 'church militant' who are the living. Different Christian traditions define, remember and respond to the saints in very different ways.

We live in what has been a traditionally catholic country but now borders on post modernism. The lines are obscure between catholic traditions, superstitions, and untrue Biblical theology. Older people take seriously this holiday. Young people are just glad to get the day off. However, the wreaths and candles that are sold to lie on the graves of the dearly departed are as common as seeing boxes of Christmas cards at Wal-Mart.

Just another reminder that this place we call home is so blind to the freedom … even in death … of knowing a personal savior.