Esslingen Christmas Market

I've already mentioned what a big deal Christmas markets are here in Germany.  We could go to a couple every weekend in December within a 60 mile radius and still not hit them all.  They're in every major city and tiny little village!  

The one we went to today was in Esslingen, just a 20 minute drive from home.  We've kind of got the system down… since they are so CRAZY PACKED on the weekends, and the weekend is the only time Ben can go with us, we try and show up as soon as they open, first thing in the morning.  When we arrived at 11:00 today (that's first thing in the morning for us) it was just moderately crowded.  We only stayed for two hours (it was raining pretty good) and by the time we left the crowds were pouring in.  

Esslingen was fun because they also have a medieval/renaissance market… they had lots of fun activities for the childruns. 

This was supposed to be Rapunzel's Hair.  Emily was supposed to be able to pull it and get a prize.  Except she didn't get a prize.  We just burned 2.50 euro for nothing. 

The girls got to try their hand at crossbows.  Pretty sweet

Em hit a few targets… fairies and dragons and whatnot

This was a fun game where they had to knock the pins over (the bandits) and leave the middle one remaining (the king)

And the hand cranked ferris wheel was a hit, even in the rain

This warm fresh bread on a  stick was yummmmmmy. 

The hot chocolate wasn't bad either

Chowing down on some flammkuchen.

So, who's going to come visit next Christmas??