Sternschnuppen Markt in Wiesbaden

In Wiesbaden, the Christmas Market is called Sternschnuppen Markt or "Twinkling Star Christmas Market."  The town comes alive at dusk each night for about 4 weeks leading up to Christmas Eve.  No matter what the weather, you will find people here enjoying Gluhwein, flammkuchen and brats.  Of course there are many booths with Christmas ornaments and even a leather artist making custom-made belts while you wait.  Near the theater, a compressor-equipped ice skating rink was erected with a warming house and even a curling rink.  A group of local friends and some of Pete's visiting colleagues joined up one evening for a German-style curling match.  As more Gluhwein was sipped, the curling got aggressive and the players and fans grew more rowdy.  A good time was had by all at below freezing temperatures.  Thank God I had my Ugg boots.

Where we entered the market, this icon greeted us.  We called it the manger bar - it was a Christmas pyramid with manger scene above a very busy Gluhwein bar.  We always began our evening here!

A view of the city center leading into the Market.

Some of the beautiful twinkling stars that lit up the night.

Another view towards the old city hall (Alt Ratskeller).

Our very own Ferris Wheel - not quite as impressive as Berlin's Christmas market that we attended last year.

The always active ice arena.

That's me in front of the warming house...

...and inside -quite cozy with lambswool on the benches and a fireplace.

Outside the ice rink were these fireplaces that gave the whole area a wonderful aroma.

The Bavarian curling rink with non professional curlers.  This version of curling uses these "curling stocks" that look like the pieces you play with on the game of "Sorry" - but much larger. 

A Curling break so Ed and Pete can sip more Gluhwein.

We found another traditional Bavarian game called Hammerschlagen while visiting the warming house.  Using the narrow end of a blacksmith's hammer, you compete to see who can bury the nail first, taking turns hitting only once each time.

Our Bavarian host "nailed it" !  Through many hours of hammering nails doing my glass work, I wasn't too bad. 

A group shot of the Bavarian Curling Team... no one got hurt.

... Happy New Year 2013....Tschus!!

Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg

 Greetings from Germany's most famous Christmas Market - the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt.  This is a one-of-a-kind Christmas festival where even other countries are featured with their own booths.  We were fortunate (or maybe not) to visit on the opening weekend in December.  It seemed like the entire continent of Europe was joining us the day we visited.  It was one of the first really cold wintry days of the season.  Together with our friends Chris and Sue, we drove about 2 hours Southeast to this old Bavarian city.  Nuremberg is considered the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire because the courts met at Nuremberg Castle.  Most Americans remember this city's name because of the Nuremberg war crimes trials that were held here in 1945-46.

Nuremberg is also known for its sausages - they look like mini bratwurst - and there are plenty available at the market.  Under each candy-cane-striped rooftop, you find only Christmas-themed goods, some home-made, some made in China!  And, of course, all types of flavors of Gluhwein - the very German tradition of hot, mulled wine.  Cherry was our favorite!

An awesome display of Nuremberg sausages ready to be stuffed into a fresh hard roll.  Pete loved em.

Here's a life size version of the traditional Christmas Pyramid.  A kind of multi-layered carousel that uses the heat from candles to spin around the Christmas manger scenes.

A glimpse of the crowds visiting on opening day with us!

No, it's not the Budweiser Clydesdales, just a Christmas coach.

This is the center of the plaza where the festival takes place.  The balcony on the church behind is where the Christkind Queen is crowned (whatever that means).

A look at the massive inventory of hand-made ornaments.

This is the only place a caretaker can stand in the small booths.

Santa and doggie santa.

As dusk was falling, even more visitors arrived into the city center.

This little side street near the river featured the world's largest flaming punch bowl.

That's the punch bowl on top of the makeshift bar erupting in flames!  Germans know how to throw a party - over the top and efficient.

Pete, Mary, Chris and Sue in front of the Christkind Queen's church.

From Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt to Wiesbaden's Sternschnuppen Markt next.... Tschus!