Hallo aus Deutschland!

I think it's fitting that my first official entry is from abroad.  December 23rd Michael (Bloggers, meet my husband Michael!) and I set out on an African Adventure. Our first stop was Frankfurt en route to Cape Town.  It being Christmas Eve, we had few expectations for places to visit, but we were lucky enough to stumble upon a little German tradition.  The emptiness of downtown Frankfurt was almost eery, and this prompted us to make our way back to the airport.  Frankfurt airport lounges = EXCELLENT, and not a bad place to have to be stuck if you're in an airport. This was our destination until we noticed throngs of people making their way to Paulsplatz und Mainkai in Romberg where the annual Frankfurt Christmas Market is held. (If you have never been to a German Christmas market before, it is something that can't really be explained - even Scrooge will feel like putting cookies out for Santa Claus!)  The lovely Starbucks lady explained that at 5pm every Christmas eve all of the churches across Frankfurt ring there bills in unison.  Hundreds of people come from all over the city to stand around the giant Christmas tree, drinking mulled wine (more like a moonshine cider with a hint of cinnamon) and eating German pretzels.  Stumbling around aimlessly and finding something this wonderful is my most favourite aspect of traveling!

Romberg (Frankfurt main quay)

Mulled wine ("German Christmas moonshine")

The Classic German Pretzel

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree"