That Glowing Feeling

Stalls at the German Christmas Market

When I lived for an year in Austria as a student, one of my favourite things was Gluhwein, which literally means 'glow wine' - what we call mulled wine

I personally prefer the German name which I think is much more descriptive. After drinking it, my face always glows (i.e. I get bright red cheeks) and my insides feel as though they are glowing too. It's the best possible way of keeping out the cold which, in Austria, is very important.

I have never lived in a country where Iwas surrounded by mountains and it snowed for several months of the year and I loved it, in spite of the cold. It was incredibly beautiful, if also freezing.

So when the German Christmas market set up next to the ice rink on Parker's Piece and I discovered that authentic Gluhwein was on offer, I decided to check it out and see if it lived up to my expectations.

It most certainly did.

It was hot, spicy and delicious, and my experience was made even more authentic by the fact that there was a German in a very silly hat on the table next to me - I heard him speaking. When I left that cafe and started taking photos of the market stalls, he offered to 'make a photo' of me, as in German you 'make' a photo rather than 'take' one. I declined politely - in German, of course, then realised I'd used the wrong personal pronoun and fretted about it all afternoon. That's the linguist in me.

The German market was very colourful with traditional Christmas goodies on sale, including gorgeous Lebkuchen (special gingerbread cakes) which are Lola's favourite. There was also an enticing smell of cinammon.

However, it was very expensive.

That didn't stop me buying some Lebkuchen and some caramalised almonds which I munched my way through very quickly when I got back to the office. Oh, and a sand beanie bat as a stocking filler for Lola which she has named Wolfgang - because he's German, of course!

It was a great way to spend a lunch hour and I enjoyed watching people wobbling around the ice rink, trying to stay upright - very amusing.

I went back to the office with a warm feeling in my tummy which lasted all afternoon.

Good old Gluhwein.