WEIHNACHTSMARKTS!!!!

So ever since Chicago I've been obsessed with Christmas Markets. I had never heard of these before but Chicago had one set up and all my German friends were like, "Yeah, Christmas Markets. That's normal."

No, that's freaking WONDERFUL.

The other day I had a forty minute wait between trains at Bochum. Rather than wander the train station aimlessly I decided to head into town and grab a billion dollar Starbucks coffee. What a fabulous surprise when I rounded the corner and in front of the Starbucks was this:

Spotto.

It was absolutely magical, especially at dusk with everything lit up. I bought myself some caramelised peanuts, was overwhelmed with the smell of pflammkuchen, crepes, and bratwurst cooking, and had to restrain myself from buying all the hand crafted goodies.

Then yesterday I met up with my friend Kate for lunch in Dortmund and we wandered along the markets there.

This is part of a display of fairytale characters for the children to enjoy. All I want to know is, what does Dortmund have against children???? This display was the creepiest thing I've seen in a long time. The girl that you can only partly see had her eyes closed and was all freaky looking, complete with a rising and falling mechanised chest. (See if you can notice it in the (shoddy) video below.) You can see how this is the country that produced writers like the Brothers Grimm.

And of course, it wouldn't be a Weihnachtsmarkt without the gluhwein!!!

Excuse us for looking sheisse - it had been pouring all day... also, don't judge, y'all!

Gluhwein is basically spiced, warm wine, perfect for freezing days. It's served boiling hot and when it's snowing the top exposed liquid gets cooled enough for you to drink but the rest of the cup is kept warm for your hands. They also come in these cute little Christmas Market booties. I plan on collecting one from each of the weinachtsmarkts I visit to add to my lonely little Chicago bootie, and trust me, there are plenty more to come.