by Felix, age 9, writes to Santa from Graz, Austria, and asks how many reindeer does santa have?
Dear Santa,
My name is Felix, and I am 9 years old. I live in Graz, Austria, where his opa says the clock tower in the middle of town has kept time for over five hundred years.
Dear Felix, that is exactly the sort of detail I like to hear about Graz. It tells me you are paying close attention to the world around you, which is a fine habit to keep. Please keep noticing things like that.
Santa, I have three questions. First, how many reindeer does Santa have? My dad and I were arguing about it at breakfast.
Nine on the official roster, with Rudolph up front on foggy nights, though I keep a few backup reindeer in training just in case anyone catches a winter cold.
Second, my grandpa was telling us about the Mur River, which flows right past the base of the old fortress hill in his city. Do you fly over that on your Christmas Eve route?
Every single year, without fail. The mur river, which flows right past the base of the old fortress hill in his city is one of the sights the reindeer look forward to most, and I always tell the newer reindeer to watch closely as we pass over, because there are not many views in the whole wide world quite like it. Rudolph tends to slow down just a little right there, and I have learned not to rush him.
Third, is it true that austria’s Krampus runs happen every December 5th? My family was talking about it and I want to know if it is real.
It certainly is true. Austria’s krampus runs happen every december 5th, when performers parade through town in elaborate handmade costumes and wooden masks. I think that is a wonderful thing for a family to talk about, because customs like that are exactly what make Austria feel like Austria, and they are precisely the sort of thing that keeps a community close together, especially in the winter months.
Thank you for your letter and your good questions, Felix. Keep noticing the world around you, keep asking honest questions, and keep being kind to the people in Graz. That is the whole spirit of Christmas right there. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Felix
Graz, Austria
P.S. Does Krampus ever visit Graz too, or is that only your job?
We split the map fairly evenly, and Krampus handles that part of the world beautifully. Consider it a very old and very friendly arrangement.
