First Weihnachtsmarkt of the season

While Marika and her friend, Ayme, were ice skating at the Heidelberg Weihnachtsmarkt today, Dave and I headed off to nearby Mannheim to visit THEIR market (no worries, I'll get to go to Heidelberg's tomorrow). Today we had nice, balmy temperatures for the markets, 7 degrees Celsius (about 45 Fahrenheit).  It was nice to enjoy being out for a few hours without needing hats, mittens and warm boots.

Mannheim was bombed extensively during World War II, which means that the the city is mostly rather modern and lacking in the old world charm that so much of the surrounding areas exude.  Nonetheless, it has a Christmas Market that I really enjoy every year.

At the base of downtown, the old water down DID survive the war.  It is now in a circular park with gardens, large grassy areas and a huge fountain (that only runs in the warm months, of course).  It is here, around the water tower that the market sets up, with stalls running in two concentric circles as well as coming out from there in spokes.

There are more and more stalls each year.  You can find a large variety of gifts (both handmade and mass produced) to purchase:

There are also plenty of stands selling drinks (gluhwein--hot mulled wine, is a staple) and snacks.  A little "train" selling roasted chestnuts is a Christmas Market staple--I love the smells!

There were more rides for little kids this year than in years past (most cost 2-3 Euro):

One difference between German culture and American, is that photo with Santa are just not the priority for German parents that they are for Americans.  While there was a steady stream of little ones going on all the rides, no one was visiting Santa (photos were 5 Euro--less than the least expensive package at the mall in the US when Marika and Rio were preschoolers).

After wandering around and enjoying all of the sights and sounds for a little over an hour, we walked over into downtown to check out the holiday windows at the Englehorn department store.  This year was less impressive than last, but still fun.  The windows were themed after world cities--and all in black and white.  Here are a few:

Tokyo

Paris

The other side of Paris, Ooo La La!

New York

Las Vegas

One bonus of visiting Mannheim this time of year, is that you get two markets out of one trip.  There is a second, more modern/trendy market downtown, behind the Englehorn.

Actually, this year there is yet a third addition--just across from the water tower in the entry area to the Rosengarten theatre.  It was a nice, more open, area just for food and drink--where we chose to have our gluhwein, Coke, crepes and currywurst.  There was a great central fire to warm up by--not really needed today, but it would be wonderful on the typical cold night.

Happy Advent!

-Hadley