Frankfurt Christmas Market 2014

While Jay and Ivan went to a fun Boy Scout trip, Emily and I went to downtown Frankfurt.  First we went clothes shopping on the Zeil and then we went to the Frankfurt Christmas Market.  

Here are some memories from today:

Here we are riding the Ubahn train to downtown Frankfurt.  We left early this morning to beat the crowds.

Our first stop at the Christmas market, fried potato pancakes dipped in applesauce...yum!

Greasy as ever, but so tasty.  These little greasy gems just say to me: "The Christmas market is here...hooray!!".

My favorite, the paper stars.  Many people place these in their windows at Christmas.  Emily and I agree they would be pretty on top of a Christmas tree.

Such beautiful colors! Don't you agree?

Wooden toys seem popular here.

We are moving on to one of Emily's favorite Christmas market foods, the roasted chestnuts....delicious!  (I must say they rank pretty high for me, too.)

Emily poses with her souvenir mug holding kinder punch.  The mug is filled with a spicy warm (actually it is burning hot!) drink made with grape juice and cinnamon and cloves.  It is a classic at the Christmas markets and so is the acoholic version called gluewein (pronounced glue wine).  The option is to either keep the mug or return it and get a partial refund.  It's all part of the Christmas market experience.  Emily and I are keeping the mugs.

Look who we ran into...the missionaries!  The happiest people at the market today...even though they have the hardest work to do.

Do you see the carousel behind Emily a little off to the side?  There are three carousels here in various places around the Christmas market.  It really is a child's heaven here.  I can only imagine how the German children must feel about such memories like these at Christmas time.

This photo is for my mom.  These little buildings are made of fired clay.  They are glazed.  They are lovely to look at and dream of how beautiful they would look in a Christmas village.

Some of the buildings are of well-known places in Frankfurt, but most of them are just quaint German houses.

Wow, I couldn't resist taking this picture.  What does it say?  Ratskeller.  It is a government building.

It is getting more crowded as the day goes on.  I'd say at this point I'm about ready to head home, but we aren't quite done exploring.

Emily taking pictures of people around the market.

This accordian player is sitting on the bridge between Frankfurt and Sossenheim.

This is looking back at Frankfurt from the bridge.  Frankfurt is known for its old-style buildings mixed with the new (skyscrappers).  Personally, I like the old style better...what do you think?

Emily on the bridge (and out of focus-rats).  You may be wondering what you are seeing attached to the railing of the bridge.  What you see are a gazillion padlocks carefully placed by a gazillion lovers who come here and attach a padlock to the bridge to proclaim their undying love for each other.  There must be more to the "legend" but I'm just a tourist so I don't really know.

This was a great and colorful stall.  These are all handmade gloves, hats, and scarves from Nepal.

Here is the famous building in the Romer Plaza where the Christmas market is held.

We are heading to the subway now and encounter an artist putting up his paintings to sell.  He kindly let Emily take his photograph.  We didn't think to ask his name.  His paintings were colorful and dynamic...very appropriate for the Christmas market atmosphere.

Down in the subway we hear a small ensemble made of various ages of performers playing Christmas music.

Here is the group.  They are also collecting a nice sum of money from passers-by.  I told Emily the Young Women need to come to the subway to perform to make money for their trip to Paris this spring.

Emily is having fun with the camera taking what looks like our ghosts sitting on the train.

Here is our stop.  We'll be home soon and boy am I glad, my feet ache!  It's about an 8 minute walk from here.