Tuesday 9 December 2014

Belatedly, Bamberg

Last month we spent a great day in Bamberg with our friend Karo as host. I'm a little late posting pictures of this beautiful World Heritage Site town.






Saturday 6 December 2014

Mainz Christmas market

The Christmas market here in Mainz opened on Thanksgiving. The Mainz Christmas Market has been operating since 1788 and is one of the more popular markets. On the weekends and in the evenings it is very crowded, with lots of people shopping and even more hanging out with friends, eating lots of food, and drinking mulled wine.

Market and cathedral at night

Market at night
Rather than try to really describe it I'll let the pictures tell the story! I was waiting for a sunny day to take some pictures, but we haven't seen the sun since the market opened! Hopefully these will give you a feel for what it's like. Last night, rather than cook, we just walked over and ate at the market. Then this morning we went and did a little shopping.





Candle stand

Manger scenes

A bus to store your stuff when you buy too much to carry!

mulled wine stand

At the regular Saturday market, shifted to accommodate the Christmas market

Large Pyramid

Ornaments

Smaller Pyramids

Roasting pig

Christmas stars

Look, the Germans love food on a stick, too!

sweets

Christmas villages. Wish I had an unlimited budget for shopping and mailing!

More food!

Outdoor cafe. What I love is that Germans don't stop eating at outdoor cafes in the cold. Restaurants just put a blanket on each chair and they're good to go.

The regular Saturday market, shifted to Gutenberg Square