It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

At least that is how the song goes. But yes, despite teeming throngs and incredible crowds, it seems nonetheless a little friendlier. We went to the Weinachtsmarkt (Christmas market) today with what seemed like a few hundred thousand others from the Frankfurt area.

It started off innocently enough with the 5 kilometer walk from our home and along the river to the old town. In fact, it was downright warm today (57 or so Fahrenheit, roughly 14 Celsius), and as we walked along the river coats were shed despite the fact that I only had a short sleeve shirt underneath ... I spent a couple winters in Nebraska and a few winter months in Minnesota, so this was relatively summer-like.

It was a rather calm walk most of the way, and when we arrived I understood why ... namely that everyone who would ordinarily be along the river had found their way to the market. This picture really doesn't give a good idea of the crowds. At several points you found yourself sort of moving along, shoulder to shoulder with others, as part of the wave ... that is, when it was moving.

We went to the markt, and the reason we walked to it, was to have what the Partnerin calls the Best Wurst of the Markt. I made the mistake of going with the Bratwurst, which didn't seem to have much taste. The partnerin went with the Rindswurst and was not disappointed. Here you see it all cooking over the open flames. I love these grills. I want one for the back yard. Men and fires ... what can I say? It was also a good day to get one of large Baked Potatoes (not pictured here), smothered with garlic-quark (which is like sour cream with garlic).

Also not pictured here was the Backfischbrotchen (baked fish on bread) that the Partnerin allegedly went off to seek. She is a northern german girl, so she likes her fish from time to time, although it did seem like it would be a lot on top of the Rindswurst. She came back, instead, with fried dough-balls, which have something of the consistency of a doughnut and are covered with powdered surgar. Here is the last of them, which I helped her polish off. This is why I need to walk 10km or so.

And what day would be complete without the Partnerin looking at shiny things. Normally she can't get past a jewelers window, but today, mercifully it was only Christmas ornaments. She doesn't know it yet (but she will when she reads this) that somewhere today she gave me a great idea for a small Nikolausy gift for Tuesday evening.

And then we had a gluhwein and I felt immediately like napping. But it was another 5 km to home, so off we went. All in all a nice afternoon.