Anyone who knows me, knows that I am super-uber-completely not religious. I get a little gaggy thinking about it, if I'm perfectly honest. But, I am obsessed with the German Christmas Markets- or Weihnachtsmarkts, as they are called in Düsseldorf. There is just nothing like those beautiful sparkling lights when it gets dark so early.
The twinkling lights, the yummy warm glühwein (which delightfully translates to "glow wine"), and the smells of the candied almonds are just such a draw. Plus, I'm a sucker for any ongoing social event- it is why I loved the World Cup so much. They are excuses to go out all of the time and meet up with people.
My first market this year was in Vienna with my friend Jodie, followed by a few trips to the Düsseldorf markets, and finally, with a trip to a neo-Gothic castle near the Dutch border with my friends, The Brydens.
This is one of the best parts about living in Germany. I love looking at the crafts, the people, and I can't stress enough how the lights impact my mental well-being when it gets light at 8:30 in the morning and pitch black dark by about 4:30 in the afternoon. This is true for many places in the winter, the difference between here and where I used to live in Colorado is that, in Düsseldorf, it doesn't get very bright during the day- just mostly gray. In Colorado, it is pretty much necessary to wear sunglasses all year long because the sun is so bright that you really can get a sunburn in the winter. Unless you fall asleep in a tanning booth or pull a Ross and get a spray tan too many times, that is NEVER going to happen in Düsseldorf.
My first market this year was in Vienna with my friend Jodie, followed by a few trips to the Düsseldorf markets, and finally, with a trip to a neo-Gothic castle near the Dutch border with my friends, The Brydens.
This is one of the best parts about living in Germany. I love looking at the crafts, the people, and I can't stress enough how the lights impact my mental well-being when it gets light at 8:30 in the morning and pitch black dark by about 4:30 in the afternoon. This is true for many places in the winter, the difference between here and where I used to live in Colorado is that, in Düsseldorf, it doesn't get very bright during the day- just mostly gray. In Colorado, it is pretty much necessary to wear sunglasses all year long because the sun is so bright that you really can get a sunburn in the winter. Unless you fall asleep in a tanning booth or pull a Ross and get a spray tan too many times, that is NEVER going to happen in Düsseldorf.
I figure I better embed the video clip just because it is hilarious on a cold, dark winter day. Anyway, back to the Christmas markets.
| The snacks are delicious, the glühwein delightful (especially with a shot of either amaretto or Cointreau in it), and there's always good company. As long as everyone is properly bundled up, the crowds aren't too bad, and nobody is smashing into people with a backpack, there are lots of laughs and it is just a joyful time. Trust me on the backpack thing...that was a bad idea. |
One last thing that I have to post on this blog entry....my favorite Christmas story. My family reads this every year on Christmas and laugh until we cry a bit. It is worth a listen every year even if you have heard or read it a million times before. Have a wonderful holiday time with your family. May the airing of the grievances begin. HAPPY FESTIVUS!