So we’ve reached the holidays! I’ll be flying home shortly to visit my family back in South Carolina, and my roommates are riding off to their little towns to celebrate there. While I am really excited to be heading home, I am also glad I got to spend so much of the holiday season here in Germany. There has been so much to do these past few weeks and so little time to do it. Probably the best thing about being in Germany at this time of year would have to be the Christmas markets! Nearly every major city and town throughout Germany and Austria has a market set up right now in a central location, usually the old town marketplace or a plaza by the main church or town hall. Stalls throughout the market sell all sorts of food, drink and other goods. Local artists will sell their handcrafts, and kids can go for rides on carrousels and other small rides.
The food you can buy at the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) is by far my favorite though. These past few weeks, I have had the chance to try Flammkuchen (sauceless pizza typical in southwest Germany and parts of France), Dampfnudeln (steamed dumplings), roasted bratwurst, and raclette, a delicious style of cheese that is traditionally melted over meat or vegetables.
