At the risk of overloading my regular readers with posts on Germany, I’ll simply post a couple of photos from Christmas Markets in Munich and Bonn. Many of the central city Christmas markets mostly cater to tourists now, but alternative “local” markets have sprung up. The Tollwood Winter Festival takes place on Theresienwiese, in Munich (unfortunately, it doesn’t open until 2pm on weekdays, so I had to miss this). On of my colleagues at Bonn mentioned that there is a more craft-oriented market in Cologne that residents visit. While many of my friends who have enjoyed these markets in the past rhapsodized about the Gluhwine stands, I was offput by the aroma of last night’s Gluhwine. I thought I’d smell the spicy wonderfulness that is mulled wine, but those stands smelled more like a not very nice bar in the morning.

Still, it’s fun to see the smiling faces, and the baked goods and sausages still smell good!

Gingerbread for the tourists. “Ich Liebe Dich!” Bonn. RL Fifield 2012.

Bonn. RL Fifield 2012.

Munich. RL Fifield 2012.