The tradition of advent started in Europe long ago in a previous century and is now celebrated many places around the world. Read a post about celebrating advent European style including ideas for starting a family tradition. It's not too late to start in 2010, but remember to be ready with your advent calendar by December 1st!

Our flight was delayed over 4 hours in Cologne, had other difficulties getting to Newark and finally fell into bead around midnight EDT (6 am Cologne time.)

We made it through some museums in Rothenburg this morning and then traveled on towards Cologne airport this afternoon - delayed of course on those German Autobahns.

Our next to last day in Europe includes travel book-ended by some fun. In the morning we visit the Hallstatt salt mines, the oldest salt mine in the world (since 5000 BC) then travel to Rothenburg Germany.