Time for a Little Smackeral of Something

Eating and shopping have been the theme of the last few days (possibly weeks?).  The activities have been enhanced by the addition of family to make it all the more fun!  We are very happy to have found a kindred spirit in Leah who has the same taste in shopping and the same ridiculous ability to go all day without stopping for anything except food.  Her knack of being distracted by sparkling objects and artistic shop fronts is only rivalled by Jo.

The family took us in on Thursday night and gave us a delicious home-cooked meal - we caught up over colouring-in (Isabella and Jo) and a remote controlled car (Max and Jenny).  We had heaps of fun getting to know the kids again and chatting over the spaghetti with Leah and Hubertus - we particularly enjoyed the plum wine!

Yesterday was a whirlwind of shopping and bears.  Leah was a willing participant in our craziness (or is that instigator - she was certainly an excellent and knowledgable guide to the best bargains).  We did actually make it to the bears before we bought anything - except one small item... see photo. 

The bear made an appearence this time - interrupting his winter nap to yawn at us from the lower path we discovered in touristy fashion. 

We paused in our tour of the shops with a lovely lunch at a tapas bar across from the Rathaus.  Ultimately we finished the day with a bag of loot rivalling Santa Claus -

• two coats (one designated a "cardigan" since the purchaser had declared she had no need for a new coat right at the start...and we had promised to stop her from buying one.  It was tooooo beautiful for us to do that!),
• two rings,
• a postcard holder
• a thermometer (don't ask)
• three postcards
• t-shirt
• pair of ear-rings
• pair of shoes

... we might have to try harder tomorrow!

We finished the day with an Indian dinner with Leah and Hubertus and fell into bed with the happy knowledge of having done our duty in enhancing the economic status of the country.  Must do everything we can to help out...