Enjoying Christmas time

The christmas markets in Germany are a great sight to see and a major attraction. They start off well 1 month before Christmas and hence they make a wonderful option to go out on a weekend to relax and have fun in an otherwise cold and dull winter..

The market in Erlangen has been put up near the old university building in the Innenstadt. The usual shops are all there serving würstchen and Glühwein. The Glühwein is something really funny, served hot, in cups resembling tea cups and tastes too sweet to be called wine. There are also shops selling interesting chocolate or vanilla dipped fruits. Then you have many shops selling interesting small articles like toys, dolls, gift sets, ceramic figures etc . all related to the Christmas theme like santa claus (who is everywhere in all sorts of shapes and sizes), angels, elves, etc. and even witches ! There are also special shops selling small Christmas trees.

There are fun rides for the kids and sometimes I even see very small kids (as young as maybe 2 years) enjoying the rides without any fear or crying. There are interesting people on the roads playing superb music and requesting alms. When you pay them a coin, they stop the music, say ‘danke’ to you and continue to play again, but do the whole thing so masterfully that neither the song, or the beat or the continuity of the rhythm is spoilt.

Some people say that Christmas has been too much commercialized these days, and the season has been used by businessmen to urge on the common people to spend more, but I find these markets very beautiful and relaxing, especially to take a beautiful stroll and visit the shops in the weekend and maybe buy something what you like to eat or to gift someone.. that wouldn’t be too bad!