It's beginning to look a lot like Weihnachten!

Christmas in Germany, or Weihnachten, is celebrated a little differently. It's relaxed yet exciting, beautiful yet simple. Their Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas markets, are world famous and open during the four weeks of Advent. Chris and I have visited five of them now, one including an old castle.  The markets are great for visiting with friends, sharing a little grilled sausage and gluhwein. And, some Weihnachtsmarkt can leave you with one hell of a hangover, like I had last Monday.  It's all Chris' fault. He just kept grinning and kissing me when I said I wanted more gluhwein. And quickly refilled my cup. Cheeky bastard.

It was a beautiful market, to say the least. And last Sunday was a gorgeous, cold yet perfect day to venture out. Sunshine in the morning had me bouncing around our apartment, (have I mentioned that I have felt like a prisoner in our apartment?  No car, no way to really get around and see much -- so these weekend excursions have been the highlight of our stay so far) and I convinced Chris that we needed to find a new place to go.  Thankfully, I married a man who loves spur-of-the-moment adventure more than I do.  So I pulled out a map of Germany and pointed at the biggest city near us, Saarbrucken. Oh, and did I mention it's on the border of France?  I have a love affair with France, but that's another story, another blog. :)

We zipped off in our rental car and found ourselves in downtown Saarbrucken in only 25-30 minutes. I'm sure Chris hit the Autobahn at maybe 110 mph in one spot ... I try to be busy looking at my phone and not the traffic around us.  I become "Bitchy Backseat Driver" when I get a little frightened, and he's an amazing driver. So why not let him have his fun?

Saarbrucken is a very pretty city, steeped in history and culture, with French influences and a big university population.  I'm very excited to be living nearby for frequent visits. I just wish I'd not had that extra mug of gluhwein ...



I had just gotten started.  Mmmm it was so good, with a little Williams added to it ... a liqueur made from pears.  Tasty!

They served it from a giant Christmas pyramid ...

and you should have seen Chris' dancing eyes.  He was all smiling and happy.  He LOVES the little Christmas pyramids, found in Germany.  Made of wood, they have small propellers that when candles are lit beneath them, the radiation from the heat makes them turn, thus causing each level of the pyramid to turn in clockwise and counterclockwise motion, and the little people turn, too.  I just wish they weren't so expensive, nor so fragile, or I'd buy one for him. Maybe next year, once we are moved and into our permanent home. Santa might still have one up his sleeve, too. :)

emember how I said Saarbrucken has French influences? We came across this wonderful little sausage stand from a French fella. They sold sausages with walnuts, pork and ... DONKEY? Eeek!

 

Well, the Germans sure do love their sausages ... and they start them out young.

Chris and I wish you a Merry Christmas! Love to you all.