Something I love about Germany
Until recently, I had usually problems answering the question, what I like about Germany, especially if it should be about culture. Because there is actually a lot I dislike and I don’t consider myself, being ‘typical German’. But last weekend, I went to the christmas market in Osaka and although I was going there for the food, I liked it because of much more than just that.
First for all people, who don’t really now about German christmas markets, a brief description what it is about:
Popular attractions at the market include the Nativity Scene (a crèche or crib), NussknackerNutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), ChriststollenStollen), a sort of egg bread with candied fruit, Bratwurst, and for many visitors one of the highlights of the market: Glühwein, hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink). (carved (
Both help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing. Many other handmade items, toys, books, Christmas tree decorations and ornaments (and in recent years less useful gadgets) can be found at a Christkindlmarkt.
(Source: Wikipedia)
As you can clearly see a german christmas market is a lot about the drinks and the food. And it was a bit shocking, that the one in Osaka was terribly expensive, but it is only part of it. Much more important to me was to feel this atmosphere going on there, the decorated boothes, being surrounded by cold air and listening to christmas music. It wasn’t exactely a lot of german music being played on the market in Osaka, but I still liked it.
Impressions of the christmas market in Osaka and german markets:
