Walking to the marketIt was such a pleasant day - a peaceful train ride and then a festive tour of one of Germany's famous Christmas Markets. Here are some highlights:
There were wonderful German handicrafts and Christmas merchandise to purchase. I couldn't resist these wooden Christmas decorations.
The food and merchandise vendors were each housed in these little cute wooden houses. Each house was ornately decorated and very festive looking. Here is a peek at their roof tops.
Gingerbread hearts decorated in true Bavarian style.
Gluehwein or
Glow wine is sold and served in these mugs. It is served warm and was just the thing to take the chill off as we wandered through the market. The mugs can be kept as souvenirs or returned to the vendor in exchange for 4 euros.
There were many street musicians as well as performances put on by the Market.
We were at the market on St. Nikolas day so naturally he made an appearance there. We were lucky to catch him right as he was starting to greet children, so Eva was able to say hello and get a chocolate.
This was one of 2 carousels at the market. Eva eagerly hopped on, but Audrey needed a little convincing.
Coincidently I read another blog post today about a Christmas Market in Munich. Lookie
here. More pictures from our trip
here.
On Sunday we went to the Trier Christmas Market. We had such an enjoyable time last year, Bryce and I were excited to share it with his parents. The train ride was pleasant and uneventful. The only added element this year was snow, it didn't stick, but still - SNOW! Although incredibly cold, it really did put us in the Christmas mood. Who can worry about cold when there is hot, steaming mugs of Gluehwein to be had? I must confess that I skipped the Gluehwein this year and had a latte spiked with Baileys instead. Slurp. 
Grandpa and the girls
Traditional German Christmas Cookies
found underfoot 
Baseball sized marshmallows. "I want that one."
Got it. 
Carousel ride!
