When we set off for Nuremberg last Friday morning, we had no doubt that it would be one of our more memorable weekends, but Max Mongin's entry into the world certainly made it absolutely unforgettable!!
Nuremberg is an amazingly beautiful city in Bavaria. It was almost completely destroyed from the aerial bombings during WWII, as it was one of the main morale encampments of the Nazi Party, but the Germans did an outstanding job rebuilding the city to preserve its quaintness and cultural roots. As I had previously mentioned, it is also the home to the best Christmas Market (Christkindlesmarkt) in Germany. That is really what we were after when we had booked the trip, and it was awesome. Christmas Markets in Germany are not just about vendors selling ornaments and decorations, but it is a social activity for people. Families and friends wander through the markets taking in the lights and decorations, feasting on roasted sausages, kraut, crepes, and also Nurenberg's renowned ginger bread cookies. The other traditional touch of Germany during the holidays is Gluhwein. It is a heated or mulled red wine spiced with cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and sugar. It is a little sweet for my tastes, but it is more about the experience of carrying these little boots around with the Gluhwein. They actually set up these temporary Gluhwein huts where you can stand by a fire and get absolutely "gluhweined."
Other highlights from the weekend:
- Bratwurstküche - Zum Guldenen Stern - Oldest Sausage Restaurant in the world. It was opened in 1419. Roasted sausages, kraut, and potato salad. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
- Hefeweizen - my favorite German Wheat beer
- Annoying American that we got seated with at a tapas restaurant
- GERMAN ONLY Speaking tours of the Castle and Nuremberg Underworld (a maze of vaulted cellars and secret passageways under the city that first served as breweries and then became bomb shelters during the war) - yep, no english available and did not understand a damn thing!!!
AND FINALLY
- Sausage
- Sausage
- Sauerkraut
- Mustard
- And More Sausage
It was a great trip and really made us feel like we were just a week away from Christmas.
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