Cologne in December

We have been in Köln, Germany for a couple of days. It's been wet and cold and drizzly and rainy and sleety and damp and can't-quite-warm-up weather, but it's been fantastic. We have come mostly for the Christmas markets which we are enjoying. It's quite a culture, and it's all about being together, even though there is also a significant commercial aspect.

There are six markets here, of which I have seen four. Each market has its own character. There is one based around gnomes, another has an angel, the largest is based around the cathedral, and the fourth features Grimm's fairy tale characters. Many of the characters are placed on the roofs of the little Christmas villages. There is an ice rink in one, and all of them have carousels with horses and carriages.
It's a feast of smells too. Grilled bratwurst, currywurst and Weisswurst cozy up to the biggest vats of sauerkraut I have ever seen. People wait in lines for fresh potato pancakes and applesauce or for crepes and waffles, or mushrooms sautéed in butter, garlic and caraway. More people line up for souvenir mugs of glühwein, and each market has their own mug design. It is possible to take them home, or return them for a refund. There are spiced cookies, spice stalls and spiced nuts. Pretzels of all kinds are everywhere.

It"s a friendly atmosphere too, where the idea is to mingle and wish a happy Christmas to other revellers. Cozy on up to the table if you can find a spot, say hello, raise a toast and enjoy. There is quite a bit of Christmas music, some of it live. My favourite so far was the children's choir we heard on the first day. This morning the sun is warming the old cathedral with tinges of pink. It looks like the clouds are moving in again, so I must go.

As much as I like it here, I have had enough of being wet...but, at least I am learning how to order my coffee because of it.