You Should Go to This Happy Place on a Gray November Day
Well about November, you know it’s here when you see more leaves on the streets than on the trees. The pleasant autumn colours start to pile up on a brownish heap on the sidewalks and beneath the trees. About Gray, well ever since I arrived in Germany, I feel this is what I have looked at outside my windows predominantly the whole year except on few summer weeks (may be stretch it to a few months!). And you know that winter is coming with frost gathering up on the brown leaves.
But not everything has to be gloomy just because it’s Gray outside. For me, whenever I think of November, I start to remember the aromatic smell of cinnamon, as well as all the other spices in the mulled wine (Glühwein). I remember about the freshly baked cookies like the popular German gingerbreads (Lebkuchen). And, most irresistible is the drafting smell of Nutella on freshly prepared waffles. Well, you guessed it right, the place I am suggesting you to go to is no city or country, but traditional Christmas markets. Since, I have been living in Germany for quite a few years, I remember November by the aroma of Christmas markets (WeihnachtsMarkt in German).
Well Christmas is only in December, so why am I blabbering all about it in November? Because most of the traditional Christmas markets in Germany, are officially inaugurated in November. So, there you have something special to experience in November. But probably most people living in Europe or some parts of US, know about it and have been to one or the other every year. To me as well all Christmas markets seemed similar in the beginning, just like layout of all European cities. So, what I am really talking about in this story, are the specialties that distinguish different markets in different regions. Thus, here I talk about some of the popular Christmas markets that I have visited in the past and what I personally love about them.
Nuremberg Christkindlmarkt
Well this Christmas market in Nuremberg /Nürnberg is said to be the most popular Christmas market in Germany. It’s called Christkindlmarkt because of its iconic opening ceremony featuring a Christmas Angel (Christkind) who recites a prologue saying “You men and women who were once children too, be children again!,” and officially opens the market.
It very uniquely represents the tradition of the area through handcrafted decoration items made of wood and cloth. I, later happened to notice, the unique decorations of prune-men (Zwetschgenmännle), i.e. figurines of men from dried plums.
And if you did not eat good food at Christmas markets, then what did you do! So, as well here, you will love the culinary delights of the area like the popular gingerbreads (Nürnberger Lebkuchen), Nuremberg sausages and ofcourse the Glühwein. I am always trying to get hold of these delicious gingerbreads eversince I first tasted them there.
Besides they also have children’s Christmas markt, where children can experience all kind of delightful activities.
I believe, what sets apart a Christmas market as well as gives it the traditional touch, is the location and the backdrop. Well, there are several adjacent locations where the markets (including the children’s market) are organised but the main one is hosted in the beautiful square in front of Frauenkirche.
Lastly, here’s a video to get you immersed in the vibe of a Christmas market.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmT8VIgMlan/?igshid=MXAwbHg1dG1tc3Nnbg==
Aachener Weinachtsmarkt
The first Christmas market I ever went to and many years since, was the Aachener Weinachstsmarkt in Aachen. Like, Nuremberg, traditional Christmas markets here also date back to 16–17th century. It is one of the most visited Christmas markets in North Western Germany welcoming 1.5 million visitors every year. All for good reason! The backdrop of this Christmas market is one of the oldest and more than thousand years old Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom), built by emperor Charlemagne and now listed as UNESCO world heritage. This grand backdrop itself and the streets around the cathedral to the town hall, decked up in Christmas lights, already triggers festive spirit on a cold winter evening.
But its not just a pretty picture, but also the uniqueness from the locale, that makes it even a beautiful experience. Standing on both sides of the welcome decoration, are the mascots which represent the popular local traditional gingerbread Aachener Printen. Besides one can find Dutch influence to the local traditional food items in the market, including sea food and potato pancakes (Reibekuchen). Glühwein, as always, brings you the aroma of the place. Last, but not the least, Aachen Dom liqueur is also a speciality from the area.
Prague Christmas market
If one remembers of any postcard picture of an European city during Christmas, it has to be Prague. The Christmas market in Prague at the old town square with the baroque style old town hall (Staroměstská radnice) is simply a magical place to be. The giant Christmas tree, specially brought from the Krkonoše mountains, serves as the centrepiece of this beautifully lit up gothic town. The market offers all sorts of traditional Czech dishes and particularly the sweet delicacy – Trdelník (also known as Chimney pastry).
The night walk from the Charles bridge to the old town square and all the way through the market place, in the Christmas lights, seem like a fairytale. For me, the highlight was the fact that – Prague Christmas markets are open until the new year unlike the German Christmas markets which close shortly before Christmas.
If you want to know more about Christmas in Prague, you will find in my next story. For now, here’s a short reel to bring to you the magical vibe of Prague.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmlqGjPBvsg/?igshid=MTNjdjFxbmc0OWZ2Ng==
Christkindlmarkt Munich
Well while having lived in Munich, I can not simply not say about many different Christmas markets from Pink Christmas market to an international cultural amalgamation at Winter Tollwood. So, there goes the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas angel market) located at Marienplatz which is the very heart of Munich, with the spectacular backdrop of the town hall (Rathaus) decked up in Christmas lights, is a vision to behold. It is amongst one of the original Christmas markets in Germany, dating back to 14th century. Coming from traditional Bavarian background, it is also known for manifesting Nativity scenes in many forms. During this time, the traditional folk music (Stubenmusik) sets the mood of this town. Besides the Glühwein and Lebkuchen, one can enjoy local traditional foods ranging from sausages like Bratwurst, Wurstsalat etc. to sweet delicacies like Kaiserschmarrn. The fresh food market called Viktualienmarkt set right next to it, also offers fresh local christmas delicacies.
The Christmas tree propped up there is supposed to be a gift from the local tradional Bavarian and alpine communities. During the opening ceremony, it is wonderfully lit up with more than thousand lights. The Christmas market extends all the way on the popular shopping street of Kaufingerstrasse until Karlsplatz, where there is chance to skate on ice at Eiszauber or simply watching people while sipping Glühwein.
Mittelaltermarkt Munich
Well just like everything else, Christmas markets also have evolved over centuries. But if you like to experience how they were in middle ages, Mittelaltermarkt in Munich recreates a splendid atmosphere of real markets in medieval era. For me, it was most interesting to see the shop owners dressed in long cloaks and loose flowing elaborate costumes and very charming pointy hats of all sorts. The handicrafts that were sold in the wooden stalls, were also very vintage style. Our friend ended up buying a carved old fashioned sword for his collection. Keeping up with the vibe, several visitors arrive dressed up in medieval costumes. We witnessed a musical play recreating plays from Middle Ages, where the performers were dancing and enacting propped up on wooden poles. It simply brought to life probably a page in medieval history.
The medieval vibe seeps into the food stalls as well. There are lot of delicious foods like breads and sausages which are cooked in traditional styles like in the open fires. The mulled wine, often brewed in those old cauldrons, is called Würzwein (spiced wine) or Drachensglut (dragon’s blood). This is often considered one of the best Glühwein from the Munich area. However, if you really want some thrill with your drinks, you should try Feurzangenbowle, which is literally a goblet of fire. The burning piece of sugar which is all set on flame, gradually melts into the aromatic spiced alocohol in an old fashioned goblet. To me, on a cold winter evening, holding this goblet of blazing beauty felt like a dance of fire and magic potion which weaves magic all the way down.
The idea of this article has been inspired from the monthly challenge kicked off by Anne Bonfert with the theme ‘Gray’ in this beautiful article of what all one could possibly relate with Grays and monochromes.
A very vivid story by Elvie Lins on black and white travel photography brings to life and speaks so much more for some of the best as well as the ordinary scenes.
The submission from JoAnn Ryan on her humble beginnings at Trinidad is a heart warming story bringing so much more personal touch in monochromes.
Thus, not everything gray has to be gloomy as we see it from those Christmas lights and cheers shouting out to you even through the darkness and monochromes. I would like to end my story here by quoting my favourite lines from Dumbledore in Harry Potter Film :
Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light!
I write stories on AI and computer vision topics, personal travel experiences and poems on reflections about life. If you like my stories, follow be Poulami Sinhamahapatra and subscribe to my email for updates.