The Waldbuehne Christmas Market

Two weeks ago, I went with a few ladies from work to the most unusual Christkindl market I've ever been to: the Waldbuehne in Haslbach (http://www.waldbuehne-halsbach.de/waldweihnacht.html) a Christmas market held in the forest. We went in the evening after work and it was just so atmospheric. There are several loop paths through the woods lit with Christmas lights and torches and flanked on either side with all kinds of arts, crafts, and food booths.

As it was my first market of the season, was in 7th heaven. I took a few minutes to soak in that Christmas aroma and then made a beeline for the Teehuette (tea hut) for Gluehwein to get in the shopping mood. The market wasn't very crowded because we went on a Tuesday night, but there was a definite buzz in the air, people just enjoying the festive mood and atmosphere, that mug of Gluehwein gives you that warm glow and certainly loosens the purse strings. After a bit of shopping, the ladies and I had more Gluehwein and a brat to go with it.

Ahh, this is the life, this is the way Christmas shopping should be. Shopping, eating and drinking, and more shopping. I liked this market too because arts and crafts were really reasonably priced, not like in the larger cities.

We also made friends with one of the arts and crafts ladies, she was from Minsk and after a few minutes of conversation, she asked if any of us were single, when my friend Deborah
answered yes, she then asked for Deborah's blood type. I did a double-take on
that question. Well, it turns out she was shopping around a bit for a lady friend for her grandson and believes that your luck in love and your health are dictated by your blood type. Apparently if you get two people with the wrong blood type combination, it will all go wrong. Hmm, something to think about.

Well, it was a very successful first Christmas market outing! More please.