December adventure in the City

Although I'm a woman, I dislike shopping. Especially in the city - and before Christmas I try to avoid it. As for Christmas shopping, I try to do it early and local, if possible. Otherwise I keep our postman in work and order some gifts per internet.

Anyway - this year I decided to have a look at the Christmas market in Hannover, our nearest city. Not just the ordinary Christmas market(s), but the historical one at the old market. As the weekends are too packed, I chose my day off from work and took the train on Tuesday afternoon.

Getting out of the main station I was welcomed by many lights and the sight of a huge candle pyramid. It contains food stalls and a pub! Then I followed the crowd to the Market Church and some typical stalls with Christmas decorations, plenty of food and hot punch.

Then suddenly the street seemed totally dark -until my eyes got used to the candle lights (and dimmed electrical lamps) of medieval times. I had arrived at the historical market. Open fires invited for a rest to get warm, there were other food stalls and hot honey wine and hot beer instead of punch. Beside wollen and leather goods a stall with exotic clothes was very tempting - but the temperatures were not tempting enough to get undressed to try on skirts or blouses. One huge tent was full of honey goods: honey with spices, as wine, ointment and candles in hundreds of shapes!

At the next corner I turned into the Finnish part where people enjoyed Finnish foods and drinks, some of them sitting in a huge Finnish tent!

Turning back to the historical market I found more hand made candles, belts, jewelry, books(!) and bags. Bakeries offerend freshly baked break and cakes. Then I found a tiny stage where the band "Waldkauz" were just tuining their instruments. They had been one of the reasons to get me to Hannover at this time of the year. Right beside the stage was a pirate's boot as a bar and I enjoyed a hot Met (honey wine) with cherry juice and waited beside an open fire for the music. Before the band started, Beatritsche, an artist, juggling with glas balls on her naked arms and neck. It looked awesome, but I felt cold just watching her!

The concert of Waldkauz was great fun and I kept myself warm by dancing. They play on medieval instruments, incl. a harp. Many visitors were drawn by the music and it really didn't feel like the middle of a week! After one hour of music it was time to say goodbye. On the way back to the station I passed the fairy forest, which was made of cut fir trees and hides more drink stalls.

Although I was only in Hannover for 4 hours, it almost felt like a holiday in a fairy tale. Yes - I think, I might do it again one day....