The Holidays...Is It All Just Window Dressing?

Waxing lyrical about the holidays has never been something for me. Perhaps it is all the media ads and commercial sales, or maybe I'm just a Scrooge at heart. I hope it isn't the latter. I'd like to get in the swing of it, but I find it increasingly more difficult the older I get.



I miss the Christmas Markets in Europe. I felt so much more alive there and it just seemed so natural. 

I revisited some of my posts from the past two years. If you've been to Europe over the winter holidays you know what I mean.

Christmas Markets Open in Slovakia

Way to Party at the Vienna Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets Open in Piestany

But, I'm not in Europe so to try and get "into the spirit" as so many call it, I took this lovely sunny weekend to walk around Boston and Salem to view the holiday "window dressings" to help me. If you need a nudge to move forward this holiday as I did, perhaps these visuals will help.

A Walk Through Boston

 

ExpatBlogs Contest Entry for My Top Central Europe Christmas Markets

Expatblogs has a contest running for bloggers and I've entered for Slovakia on the Top Central Europe Christmas Markets.  Read my entry and comment.  To help me win you can comment on the blog but the comment needs to be at least 10 words.  

Thanks for helping me win for Slovakia!


http://www.expatsblog.com/contests/888/central-europe-christmas-markets-are-open

Way to party at the Vienna Christmas Markets

I'm so fortunate right now to have two working families in Piestany; Skypers Language School and The Dental Holiday clinic.  I've been putting in a few hours a week at the dental clinic on their English website assisting in marketing efforts to UK clients. I have really come to love the working environment and the people.  This holiday I was invited to share in their Christmas party at the Vienna Christmas market.

I first went to the Vienna Christmas market last year and fell in love with it.  It is one of the largest Christmas markets in central Europe. We arrived at around 4pm and started out at Stephansdom where we all had some hot wine or punch. But before that…a few of us shared some wine to make the car trip a happy one.

Betka

Barbora (left) and Hanka

From Stephansdom in the center of Vienna we walked down Karntner Strasse towards Graben to do a little window shopping and take in all the lights.

Many International languages could be heard throughout the crowd and there were a few performers on the street adding to the festive holiday cheer.  The invisible man was one of my favorites. Very creative and I'm sure uncomfortable.

We walked through the Hofburg Palace and then across the beautiful Volksgarten park to Rathausplatz, the largest Christmas market in the city.

Hofburg Palace

Rathausplatz

On this trip we didn't go to the Maria Theresaplatz market.  We just ran out of time.  The drive back was quiet, but we all had a wonderful time.

Christmas Markets Open in Piešťany

Today marks the opening of the Christmas market in Piešťany, Slovakia.  The markets in Bratislava and Vienna, Austria opened last Friday. Personally I think there is something wonderful about a Christmas market in a small town like Piešťany.

This year the Christmas market was slightly different than last year.  The music was staged at the far end of the square and the kiosks of drinks and food were lined up one against the other on the side of the square. There was still the tasty varené víno (hot wine), cigánska kuracia, which many locals call Gypsy food, but I just call it good; grilled chicken with onions between a toasted bun, yum!  There's also lokša, basically a potato pancake or tortilla filled and rolled with duck liver or jam. 

Most of the Christmas markets in Bratislava, Vienna and Prague will have rows and rows of Christmas gifts and items but in Piešťany, it is an opportunity to meet and greet people in town you may or may not see all year.  There is something very comforting about just running into someone and saying "Happy Christmas" or Ahoj, Cau or Dobrý Večer (Good Evening). 

The Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is topped off with music and dancing by local Slovak traditional troupes and is "the place to be" when the tree is lit for Advent. This year I ran into one of the Skypers Language School Germany language teachers Eva, with her daughter and a friend.

Christmas Tree in Piešťany square

Mikulás (St. Nick) in tennis shoes

Even Mikulás made an appearance at the opening of the Christmas markets. Mikulás usually arrives on 6 January to fill the boots of "good children" with candy.  The children put clean boots in their window in the hopes of receiving goodies.

In Piešťany, Christmas is now officially underway.  Happy Christmas!

Christmas Markets in Vienna

Starting my holiday vacation in Vienna was the right course.  I had heard the Christmas Markets were amazing but I didn't realize how many there would be throughout the city.  Starting in Stephansdom surrounded by Christmas Tree stands, holiday shoppers and the smell of cinnamon and hot wine, I traveled around the Opernring past Burggarten to the Maria Teresa Monument and Maria Teresa Platz. The square was filled with people and lovely kiosks selling everything from food, wine, beer to Christmas ornaments and other trinkets.

Christmas Market at Rathauspark

The Christmas Market at Rathauspark is one of the largest in Vienna with rows and rows of Kiosks.  The market is situated across from Brugtheater and in front of Rathauspark town hall, the site of many events all year long.  The park is filled with monuments, fountains and extraordinary trees.

I understand there is a wonderful market (and much bigger) at Schloss Schonbrunn but I wasn't able to visit this market.  Maybe next year?

After a nice and stimulating dinner with my friend Maria Petrak and new friend Max Mairhofer, I went to the Magic Trumput Advent Concert.  It really wasn't what I expected.  The instruments and vocalist were behind the audience in the balcony of St Anne's church.  It was quite solemn and not at all happy and cheerful for Christmas.   

Now it is waiting for a flight out of Vienna to continue my trip to Brussels.  Look for most posts this holiday week and I hope you are enjoying this time of the season.

Christmas Markets Open in Slovakia

'Tis the season of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, sleigh bells ringing and the voices of children singing Christmas carols.  In Slovakia it is time for the Christmas markets.  The season is marked by Advent in this primarily Catholic country.  The lighting of the village Christmas tree begins the Christmas markets.  

Christmas Tree in Piestany

At around 4pm, just as the sun is setting, the tree was lit in the main square followed by children dancing and local bands playing Christmas favorites such as Silent Night and traditional Slovak folk music.

The Christmas market size really depends on the village community.  In Piestany the tradition is only about 10 or 11 years old.  The Christmas market began in large cities like Bratislava, post Soviet rule, but has moved to all villages across the country.

Christmas Market in full swing

In the markets you will find Grog (hot rum), Punc (wine & rum punch) or mulled (hot) wine.  Try a glass of your favorite drink with Lokse, a potato pancake filled with savory goose liver or cabbage.  The pancake is made with flour, egg and boiled mashed potatoes. The mixture is put into a hot pan but not fried. I tried both the liver and cabbage and was pleasantly surprised.  I really enjoyed the taste. Normally I wouldn't even try liver but this was quite good. There are plenty of homemade cakes and cookies too.

Punc (Punch) Hot Wine with Rum

Lights in the park square

Getting Ready for 2013

The Christmas markets will be open through Advent.  This is one tradition in Slovakia I can really get behind; hot drinks, home made cakes, Lokse and of course, everyone meeting and greeting to wish each other a wonderful holiday.