Cruising on the Rhine: The Christmas Markets

Bill writes: From late November through early December we took a river cruise along the Rhine in Germany. We visited cities including Frankfurt, Mainz, Heidleberg, Rudesheim, Cologne, and Boppard. One of the reasons we picked this time of year for this trip is that the Christmas markets had just opened in towns big and little all through the country. The markets were similar in all the towns. They included numerous stalls selling handmade Christmas gifts, such as ornaments and jewelry, wooly things to keep warm while visiting the Christmas fairs, and of course German food.

For instance, here is a typical Christmas market in Frankfurt.



Some markets had a life-size version of those candle-driven mechanisms where little wooden angels and things go round and round.



And what food and drink! Fried potatoes with applesauce. Fried sausages. In fact, fried everything. Here is a booth for deep fried camembert cheese.



Even entire booths for candy canes.



And of course sausages everywhere.



I'd like you to especially note the man with the cap who's eating a sausage in the left background. His name is Rudie Shenkmann. According to the record books, he is the only German national to have normal cholesterol levels. Scientists remain baffled.

Aline's personal highlight was finding this hot chocolate booth. I helped her navigate the place with my small knowledge of German. After asking the woman behind the counter for a cup of hot chocolate for Aline, the woman turned to Aline and uttered the words that will forever endear Germany to my wife: "mit Bailey's?" If you look closely, you can see Aline giving the thumb's up sign.



While the markets were fascinating during the day, some of the settings looked even better at night. Here is a final picture, of the fair in front of the Cologne Catherdral.