Christmas arriving quickly ... just like every year!

So there we are in the middle of November, Lebkuchen and chocolate Santas have been on sale for a while but NOW it's getting serious. I was most surprised when I saw on Monday that our local christmas market is being erected already. I live only a stonethrow away from the market square so I can watch the progress every day when I cross it. It's officially going to open next Monday, yes it takes some time to put up and pull down (which then happens BEFORE christmas, no market AT christmas and even the nativity scene might have disappeard becore December 24).

So what's so special about the christmas market in Neustadt? Apart from the usual stalls with gift and deco items, pots and pans (I always wonder who goes to such a market to buy a new frying pan), spices, sweets, food, more food, mulled wine and even more mulled wine (available in 0.5 litre glasses - that's twice the size you usually get, for my UK friends: That's a pint of mulled wine!) it's the setting which sets it apart. Its main part is located in the historic market square and when looking at picture postcards of the event one might think the houses around - all lit up tastefully, non neon-flashing style - are simply backdrops. However, they're not - they are real houses! The photo (taken from the town's official website http://www.neustadt.eu/) just shows the Rathaus (town council building) and one of the houses to the left, however it might give you a little bit of an idea. The other options is of course to go and have a look yourself. If you do, drop me a line ;)
Till soon, hugs,
Mel