Nurnberg and the World's Largest....
...Christkindelmarkt!
Today myself and two of my boys jumped the train up to the historical city of Nurnberg (with an Umlaut). I'll need to visit again sometime, as we focused on the dominant seasonal attraction: Nurnberg has the largest Christkindelmarkt in all Germany (and thus the world, as I imagine its a purely German thing....).
What is a Christkindelmarkt (or Weinachtsmarkt, if you live in the North)? Basically, its all of your X-Mass needs and spirit rolled into a big outdoor market. You can hear live Christmas music, eat any number of traditional meals & sweets, drink seasonal drinks (Gluhwein - Warm, sweet, and strong wine), and buy everything from food goodies to go, to apparel, to toys, to X-Mass handicrafts. Even without shopping, its a treat to people watch - You'll see more than one Santa Hat or traditional Bavarian outfit (
Lederhosen und Durndeln). During December no mall, bar, club or pub can rival the pull power of a town's local Christkindelmarkt. Young and old, traditional or modern, German or Turk, religious and otherwise. Everyone goes.
In fact, every town has one. Some are just a big street corner and some dominate the town's pedestrian malls. But in Nurnberg, every spare plot of sidewalk or square is snapped up by a Sausage vendor or an Ornament booth. The main town square is usually large and empty - but during X-mass is packed to the brim with Red-White striped tents, creating a bustling, colorful city within a city.
I Bet You They Won´t Play This Song on the Radio
Example #1
Classical Stations in Germany play film scores from contemporary composers.
Example #2
Songs not only in English (to be expected), but also Spanish, Polish, Check...
Example #3
German pop stations play American songs unedited.
Sub Example
"Dear Chasey Lane" by the Bloodhound Gang. Uncensored.
I believe the explanation lies in a more diverse musical outlook, the geographic positioning in relation to other languages, and an inability to understand what the lyrics are actually saying, respectivly.
Life Insight of the Week
Next time you feel as though the world is collapsing, or you're depressed, or in a generally sour mood - grab your digital camera. If you are not yet among those who've discovered the wonders of digital cameras, borrow one from a friend. Now I'll wait while you go get it...
Great! Is it on? ... Ok. Now take an artsy picture of your computer, or something on your desk. You can even wear a painters beret while you do it, just to get in the mood. Now take one of something else in the room, like the chair from the ground up, or the world outside the window. You can even do it in Black and White, or Sepia for special effect!
Oh, beautiful!
Now as you look over these photos (And feel free to take a lot more. That's why its digital.), can't the most boring things be beautiful? See, you don't have to travel or be at a family party to take photos. In fact, its more rejuvenating to take them at the oddest of times. Hopefully it can offer you not only a creative outlet (which is an important thing to have, in its countless forms), but also an appreciation for everyday beauty.
See, life's not so bad after all, eh?
