Cologne Christmas Market

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Today we were all feeling a lot healthier so we decided to drive 1.5 hours to Cologne to their famous German Christmas market. We got there in the late afternoon. We finally got in a parking garage and we head towards a German restaurant we ate at last time we were in Cologne visiting with Todd and Ken who were travelling Europe from Seattle. As we walked Jackie noticed a redhead pop out of a store doorway, low and behold it was Lindsay, our neighbor 2 houses down visiting the markets as well! Such a big place and we still run into each other. Too funny! We tried to cut through the market at Heumarkt which was a bad idea with the stroller. The market was packed with people since it was a Saturday. We decided to duck into a nearby hotel that has shops. We knew the toilets were free so we used the opportunity to nurse Brooklyn there in the warmth before heading back out to the market. We decided we’d rather eat the food from the stalls at the market than at the restaurant since we can come back to it to eat anytime.
When we returned to the market, it was dark and all the lights were on. Heumarkt, Wintermarchen Kolner Altstadt (Winter Fairy Tale Cologne Old Town) 

Brooklyn seemed content as we explored the market 

We got some meat in tube form because no trip to Germany is complete without it. 

We loved all the special decorations on each market booth 

We had to get some gluhwein (mulled wine) and fried potato fritters which their choice of dipping sauce: applesauce! 

We watched some people play curling. 

There was a long loop route through the market for the ice skaters and even a bridge overlook over it. 

There was an active ski lift running from a rooftop with Santa’s riding in the chairs. 

Now that’s a lot of meat hanging over the grill fire 

Joe got some roasted chestnuts that remind him of his childhood since he would often get them at the market in Taiwan. It wasn’t until years later that he learned in English that they were chestnuts. 

We continued on our way to a second market, Weihnachtsmarkt Kolner Altstadt, in Alter Markt 

Cologne City Hall in Alter Markt 

Brooklyn was much more alert at this market. I think she knew how good this one was comparatively and wanted to see it all. 

Wood carvings of the Nativity: the 3 maji 

Wood carvings of the Nativity: Joseph, baby Jesus and Mother Mary 

Wood carvings of the Nativity: the ox and ass 

Next we walked through Weihnachtsmarkt am Kolner Dom, the Christmas market next to the Cologne Cathedral. 

I love that the booths here are so personalized to the Cologne Cathedral 

Cologne Cathedral at night 

Still looking for a lower sign at the right angle, but we are getting closer to getting the perfect photo of our favorite German exit sign

Aachen Christmas Market

Sunday November 30, 2014

We drove an hour away to Aachen, Germany this afternoon for Brooklyn’s first trip out of the country. We parked at a garage near the center. We walked over to a German restaurant, Zum wehrhaften Schmied, for an early dinner and to have somewhere warm to nurse the baby. The saucy meat and potatoes were delicious.

Aachen was the favored residence of Charlemagne and Germany’s westernmost city.

We bundled up Brooklyn in her carseat on the stroller and hit the streets. 

Aaachen City Hall dates from 1330. 

It lies between two places with markets, the Markt (market place) and Katschhof which lies between City Hall and the Cathedral. 

We first walked the Markt. 

Soon Brooklyn was asleep as we moved the stroller along the cobblestone pavers through the crowd. 

Even though we just ate, we had to get a bratwurst 

Aachen Christmas Market from the City Hall entrance stoop 

Giant gingerbread man by City Hall in Katschhof 

The Aachen Christmas Market boasts around 1.5 million visitors every year from the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the UK.

We had a great time here even though it was crowded. 

We bought 2 Christmas ornaments to commemorate Brooklyn's first trip another country. We got a lasercut image of the Aachen Cathedral and a nutcracker.

Brooklyn woke back up again but was still very content. 

Aachen Cathedral was constructed on orders from Charlemagne in AD 796. It was the largest cathedral north of the Alps. It was modeled after the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. Charlemagne’s remains can be seen here to this day. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Lastly we walked through the Christmas market at Munsterplatz. Jackie took one last photo of the Aachen Cathedral from the roof deck of the parking garage. 

Another trip to Germany means another day laughing at the German word Ausfahrt and looking for a good sign to take a photograph next to. This blur as we exited the parking garage was the best we could get this time.