Here are some sights from our recent evening spent in Düsseldorf:
Throughout the downtown, 6 different markets with different themes and emphases exist. It's huge, and practically the whole city is ablaze with lights and frolicking people, many of them tourists. More than 250 huts are set up, offering delicious food and hand-made Christmas decorations, jewelry, or other accessories. It feels almost like an amusement park. A huge undertaking for cities all over the country!
Hot, mulled wine, called "Glühwein," candied almonds, decorated gingerbread-like "Lebkuchen," Stollen, and roasted chestnuts are traditional staples. We are also learning about things like Reibekuchen, Eierpunsch, and Poffertjes.
In the center square, there was a very large nativity scene hand carved from Bethlehem wood. I think Daisy made it on the news somewhere, because as she ran up to get a closer look at "Baby Jesus!" some news crews zoomed in on her...
Chris took Daisy on a restored 100-year-old carousel. She loved it, of course. She also had fun chasing, spinning, and jumping with some other kids around the square. Apart from this, though, she quickly became miserable after too much time in her buggy, out in the cold. We, too, tired of negotiating the crowds and came home empty-handed. Next time!
We're hoping to reach Köln and Aachen next weekend. I am sure that I'll want to share some pictures from those places, as well.
