Packing for Christmas

Four more days and I will be home for Christmas! I cannot wait!

Christmas Markets

I love Christmas markets! Yes, here in Dresden I can choose any of the 20 plus markets just in the greater Dresden area and wander to my heart’s content.  Although it is cold you cannot help, but to be happy. No matter what day or time, they are always packed with people drinking Glühwein, eating bratwursts and searching for the right gift. I could, and have, spent hours strolling around the different markets and looking at all the different choices. Almost anything you want, they have. Not only is it possible to buy the traditional pieces at the Christmas markets, but one can also buy cloths, herbs, candles, pottery, dishes, jewelry, toys and stuffed animals, sweets and tons more. The main Christmas market here in Dresden, known as the Striezelmarkt, is one of the oldest in Germany. This year is the 576^th celebration. I do not know how I will survive after Christmas without them. The rest of winter is surely going to feel a lot colder and longer when I do not have a Christmas market to go to!

the Striezelmarkt in Altmarkt

the traditional pyramid

choices galore

chocolate covered fruit

Hello!

Please forgive me for my lack of blogging. Life has finally found a consistancy. I spend my week working a fews hours each morning and then spend the afternoons in my German class or tutoring. The last few weekends have been full with activities planned with my English co-workers. Thanksgiving was celebrated on Friday instead of Thursday as all of use Fulbright scholars here in Dresden had to work on Nov. 25. Nevertheless we got 20 people together to eat the usual dishes, although there was some difficulty finding a turkey! The weather has since turned cold and for the last three days snow has fallen. It looks so pretty. Last weekend was the start of the Christmas markets. They are so much fun. Yes, it is cold, but I like looking at all stuff for sale and there is always good food available. For those who do not know, I am going home for two weeks around Christmas. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and sleeping in my own bed. Thats all for now and I will post some pictures of the Christmas markets asap.