Livin' La Vida Luxem: Weihnachtsmarkt! / Merry Christmas!

This was to be my post about the wonderful institution of the winter Christmas Market. I, however, feel the duty to proto-preface everything with a quick tale of our first Christmas Celebration in the Grand Duchy. With the entire hullabaloo surrounding our move and with Jeni’s rapid assimilation into her new job (all of the deployments and long hours) Christmas this year really snuck up on us. Without a shred of garland or a string of lights, we carried on together with what was to be a quiet and unassuming fête.

Since electrical appliances in Europe are totally wired differently, we planned on purchasing a new TV and entertainment system once we arrived here to avoid any issues with voltage, frequencies and the like. We treated ourselves to a nice new ‘Smart’ television and a new Blu-Ray DVD player…more on these (perhaps) later. All we wanted was a nice quiet day together in front of the tele and to feast like nobody’s business.

A subdued Christmas we did have! Now, we know that Europe is operating on a 220-volt electrical grid, but we didn’t ever – in a million years – think we could possibly fry an entire apartments electric system trying to bake our Holiday goodies! Well, somehow we did. On Christmas Eve while utilizing our 'American' mixer to blend up some scrumptious gingerbread, we somehow (even with a converter) blew out a circuit, and not just any circuit. Apparently 90% of the outlets, the upstairs guest bath, the Internet connection, the phone line and the stovetop are all somehow connected on the same switch. Bummer. We do have lights, outlets in the master bedroom, heat (Thank You Baby Jesus!) and an oven.

Christmas Day was quite a lazy affair. We sat around, feasting as best we could, watching old DVDs in our bedroom a la John and Yoko. Apparently Boxing Day is also a national holiday here in Luxembourg, so we spent a rainy December 26th house-camping a bit longer. Our problem was resolved the following day when a representative from our property management company popped by to take a look. Evidently there are two electric panels for each apartment! The one hiding in the basement of the building had tripped as well. He had us up at running in a few minutes...result!

Breakfast Christmas Morning - Souffles with potatoes and cheese (shocker).

Merry (belated) Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

oo Now onto the Markets! oo

The town center in Trier

Warm wine with mulled spices!

Let me now preface the remaining post by disclosing that I am a true neophyte when it comes to Christmas markets. I have now been to a grand total of TWO. From what I gather, these open-air markets held in mostly German speaking countries consist of little stalls that sell anything from fine woodwork and glass trinkets to any type of fried food associated with sausage, potatoes and cheese and, of course, Mulled Wine!

The food really can’t be beat, and for me this is the sole reason to go. I really don’t see the need for an 18” long porcelain panther posing for the cover of National Geographic. I also don’t know where I’d stash the glass dragons, the ‘essential’ oils or the tiny replica of the Grande Duke that doubles as an incense burner.

Enjoying the Luxembourg Cheese Fondue and Gluhwein

All that said, I do think the German market in Trier was a bit superior to our market here in Luxembourg. The local market may be best described with a metaphor. Imagine your cousin from French speaking Canada wanted to throw a Texas style pit Bar-B-Que. Now your cousin has been to Texas. He’s seen how it’s done, and even though your cousin is rich like the guy that invented Cirque du Soleil, there’s still something missing. Either his heart’s not into it, or it’s just not in his DNA. Your cousin’s BBQ is great. The food is tasty, there are rides for the kids, the tchotchkes are all lined up, but it’s just missing something. Luxembourg may just be that French-Canadian cousin of yours.

A very upscale stall in Trier

Luxembourg does have a Ferris Wheel!

From Roman Times - the Porta Nigra in Trier

Santa made an appearance in Trier...and he sings White Christmas!

Trier is a beautiful city, steeped in history, but it really doesn’t compare with amazing Ville de Luxembourg. Because of their German-ness the citizens of Trier just do the Christmas Market slightly better. Sorry adoptive city…just calling it as I see it. Anyway, I’ll leave you with a few photos of the amazingly saturated-fatty-goodness that is Weihnachtsessen! YUM!