It's dawned on me that I've actually experienced very little of Germany in my time here. Other than two hours in Berlin, I've hardly traveled. And, with my days consisting of doing little more than going from home to school and back, I've seen very little of Hamburg. So I've decided to get out a little more.
The other day I did this by stopping by two of the Christmas markets that have been set up in squares and plazas around the city. The biggest appears to be at the Rathaus (city hall). Germans do seem to love their fairs – throughout the whole time I've been here there's been one "temporary" collection of food and souvenir stalls after another. During the summer there was one around the Alster lake, I've seen them on the university campus, and now they are the Christmas markets. But though some of the same fare is common to all (eg, bratwursts roasting on a large grill hanging over a charcoaled-wood fire under a tent, roasted and/or candied nuts, frosted shaped gingerbread cookies, etc.) some of it does vary seasonally.
So for lunch I first stopped off at the potato pancake stall. Three pancakes with applesauce for 3.50. They were yummy. German potato pancakes are a bit like American hashbrowns, although a little more substantive. (Although what I don't understand is why, given the German taste for fried potatoes, the German McDonalds don't sell hashbrowns for breakfast.) Next I stopped at a stall that sold fresh roasted chestnuts. Despite seeing them constantly roasting on carts all over Manhattan, I don't remember ever having tried them. I bought the "probiert" (trial) portion for 1.50 and still had more than I could possibly consume. I liked them a little, but not enough to have again. Then, at the Gaensemarkt Christmas market I finally tried one of those large gingerbread cookies. I liked the frosting, but I found the cookie a little bitter.
Germany definitely gets very into its Christmas season, what with all the markets and such. I actually find that I don't like the way they smell, though, and I think that’s because of all the Gluehwein (spiced wine). But I may like the way it tastes, because tonight at school some was on offer. We all stood around outside, drinking warm wine, which is a fairly enjoyable way to experience the season. I, however, drink too slowly so my wine kept getting cold, but that's ok. It's all about getting to taste the different things Germany has to offer, and now I can check this off my list...