Nuremberg Part Zwei

Coupled with the interesting Nazi sites we visited was the amazing Christmas market in Nuremberg. 

Christmas in Germany is steeped in tradition.

And it's really fun…

Christmas is another occasion for the Germans to come together and CELEBRATE... that's what I'm discovering their festivals are all about… gathering and celebrating.  There's a real sense of community. It's like someone is throwing a party and EVERYONE comes.  As we pushed our way through the crowds I kept thinking, "Did ANYONE stay home??" And it seems that Germans don't mind crowds.  Every festival we have been to has been PACKED, with the Christmas markets being no exception.  As we learned about the Nazi Party rallies mentioned in the previous post, it kind of all came together in my head.  It began to make more sense how Hitler was able to capitalize on the German's love of gathering and celebrating and turn his "rallies" into an opportunity to successfully establish his party ideology and absolute authority.  Am I making sense?  No?  Ok, just look at the dang pictures. 

I can't get enough of their chocolate covered fruits on a kebab…. my favorite of course being the chocolate covered strawberries.  But at 4.50 euro a pop, it can quickly add up!

The girls LOVED the kinder market.  Even though it was JAM packed. 

Gluhwein or their Christmas wine is sold all over the place and people stand around drinking it everywhere.  Of course, we ask for the "kinder punch" which is like spiced apple cider. 

Nuremberg is famous for its gingerbread.  Too bad I don't like gingerbread

Selfie on top of the cathedral overlooking the market.  Trying to give you an idea of the amount of people there.  

The girls hung out at their Toy Museum for hours… a respite from the crowds.  It was a huge blessing since they're not really into the market scene.

Caroline "licking" the salt off her pretzel.  She is so weird. 

We happened upon a brass ensemble and organ concert in a beautiful cathedral.  We sat and listened to this guy rock out to Bach on the organ.  It's one of those times where you have to pinch yourself…. listening to Bach in a German cathedral… so cool!

Magical, yes