Christmas Markets and Glühwein of Luxembourg and Köln, Germany

Last weekend, the VU sponsored a weekend trip to Luxembourg and Cologne, Germany to visit the Christmas markets. We left on Thanksgiving Day, which was a perfect distraction to the fact that I wasn't with my family that day. 

The people who signed up met at the VU and then hopped on a bus to start the 6 hour drive to Luxembourg. We made a pitstop somewhere in Belgium where we stretch our legs and got a snack. My friend Kersten and I watched a beautiful sunset near the gas station. 

When we finally got to our hotels, we went straight to the Christmas market across the street. It was amazing. I've never seen anything so "Hallmark Channel" in my life before. I've noticed that Christmas/holiday decorations and markets go to the national level and taken quite seriously over here. I love it. We ate our way around the little market and went on the Ferris Wheel. From the top we could look over the entire city. It was beautiful. It was Luxembourg where we tried our first of many cups of Glühwein (mulled wine). I had heard of it before this trip, but I wasn't sure how hot red wine could taste good. It was so yummy and delicious, flavored with delicate spices that remind me of my mom's potpourri. 

the welcome sign when you first walk in (left) and a pretzel vendor (right)

what we saw when we first walked into the market

the view of the market from the top of the Ferris Wheel

a vendor that made fresh crepes

Both in Germany and Luxembourg, the hot beverages came in cute little mugs that you could keep. I brought back 5 mugs - oops. 

a cupe of glühwein (left) and a traditional krakauer wurst sandwich (right)

When we arrived in Cologne, we learned that there were about 10 different Christmas markets around the entire city. Fortunately, two Christmas markets were steps away from our hotel, and we spent two and a half days walking around eating, sightseeing, and absorbing the Christmas spirit - and lots of glühwein. 

festive Christmas decorations marking the location of a Christmas market

On this trip, I met new people and we would go out at night walking around the city together. A couple of times I had to pinch myself because I couldn't believe I was casually walking in Germany at night through a Christmas market. Throughout this entire semester, I would have these moments of awe and surrealness. Despite the mundane stress of school and life in general, I sometimes have to remind myself that I am extremely privileged to travel to study in Europe, visit all these new countries, and meet new people. 

the ice skating rink at one of the markets

All in all, it was a really fun weekend that I'm glad I attended despite the fact that I'm 90% sure I got sick from it. It was a once in a lifetime experience and will never forget it.  

a savory potato snack on a stick that we bought (left) and my friends and I (right)

a traditional German meal of bratwurst, potatoes, and sauerkraut (it was rlly good!)