A favorite activity is going to one of the countless Christmas Markets, Weihnachtsmarkt for those of you working on your German. There is nearly one on every busy corner, square and/or circle.
It seemed too early to take in the lights, holly and mistletoe but Evan, Abe and I had to check out what the Weihnachtsmarkts had to offer. Here are a few pics from our research gathering mission a few weeks ago.
Happy little trees converted into tables.
Mulled wine, or Glüwein, is a must. Each market has a handful of stands that sell it. The sweet hot wine helps keep you warm as you wonder around and is available with various addions as well (whiskey, rum, etc...). Each Glüwein stand has their own custom glasses, you put down a deposit for the glass that you get back when you return it.
Mmmmm.... Delicious, warm Glüwein.
There are tons of amazing treats available to cut the wine. Sausages, crepes and roasted chestnuts are there for the taking. Here is Evan picking up a fresh pretzel.
Some of the more popular areas even had live farm animals to pet.
A few weeks in now, and we have pretty much taken in as many Weihnachtsmarkts as one can. Our research has shown that they are pretty much all cookie cutter versions of one another. Each one always has a couple Glüwein stands - to help people get in the spirit no doubt. There is always a sausage guy, crepes with Nutella and the ocassional ice rink. The handmade trinkets and candles sold seem to all start looking the same after a while.
That being said - there is something about the markets we all really liked. Something that, if I was a better writer, I could convey in my post - the atmosphere.
It's quaint, it's jovial, it's Weihnachten in Germany!
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