Parents, Prague, Perfect

While my parents were here visiting, we pondered one night what should we do the next day. Since they wanted to see as much as possible while they were in Europe, we decided to do the only logical thing: drive to another country, have some beer, and see some beautiful Christmas sights. Not the typical response, but nonetheless, this was exactly what we did. One of the many benefits of living in Europe is another country is just hours away. 

So we made the drive across the Germany/Czech border to Prague. We stopped right when we crossed the border to get a vignette, which is a sticker we placed on our windshield as a highway toll. Several friends warned us that without this we could be paying a hefty euro ticket, so we decided to shell out the toll and get a vignette to be safe. Plus, Czech police aren't ones to be messed with.

Once we made it into Prague we checked into our hotel and exchanged our euros into koruna or crown. We felt like high rollers with those 100 and 500 bills since Czech has such high inflation. While we were exchanging money my dad found a pamphlet for a Czech beer tour, and since beer is what the country is pretty much known for, we thought that was a good idea. To pass the time until the tour we decided to visit the Christmas market that was still going on in the city.

We thought the Christmas market was within walking distance of our hotel, so we ventured out and happened upon this lovely church.

Attempt #1 at finding the Christmas market

It turns out this was not the church we were looking for. It was still really pretty and did have a Christmas tree in front of it, but we all thought there was something not quite market-ish about it. So we ventured on the metro in search of the real Christmas market.

Attempt #2 = success! Old Town Square Church

Here we found a much larger Christmas tree and actual stalls for the market.

Closest to furthest away: strangers, market stall, giant Christmas tree, Old Town Square Church

Once we actually found the market we decided to eat at a cute little restaurant in the town square. We sat in basement, which had a sweet stone wall and felt quite cozy and European.

My dad and my husband :)

Me and my mom

After dinner we headed to the Astronomical Clock, which is the oldest astronomical clock still working to date (it was built in 1410). On the hour a live trumpeter played a neat little tune. I'm not sure if this was just for Christmas time or if it happens all the time, but it was pretty cool.

Closeup of the Astronomical Clock

Astronomical Clock and Old Town Square Church

Justin, clock, church

The beer tour still wasn't ready to commence, so we wandered the Christmas market. The darker the sky became, the prettier the market became.

Justin, me, and my mom in front of a hand carved nativity scene

Justin, me, and my dad in front of a giant advent wreath

Almost so beautiful it can't be real, right?

Alas, it was finally beer time! If you know my dad, then you know he was rejoicing. The tour was awesome. We went to 2 Czech breweries and finished at a pub. The beer was so delicious and fresh. We learned a lot about the Czech people and their consumption of beer while on the tour. For example, the pubs have beer brought to them in the semi trucks like the ones used in America to haul gasoline. Czech also has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world, averaging to 1 beer per inhabitant per day. Needless to say, we drank excellent beer and have proof of our earnings and "learnings."

Brewery #1

Last pub

Beer Diplomas

The next day we headed to Charles Bridge. It was a bit windy, but it was a beautiful bridge. Plus, we had a great view of the Prague Castle from the bridge.

On Charles Bridge

Prague Castle in the background

Once we crossed the bridge we found a great restaurant for lunch that was right on the water. Of course we ate inside, sitting in the comfort of space heaters and complementary blankets. The food was delicious and it was an amazing view.

Charles Bridge in the background

Before leaving Prague we happened upon a few more things of interest. First, was this "risque" nativity, and second, was an awesome Shakespeare bookstore (love love love). Though Prague had a very eastern European feel, it was a great city to spend a few days in.

Mary, what are you doing?

My love for Shakespeare continues in Prague

Oh, and Czech is where the "real" Budweiser originated, and we found the proof.

My dad and the Budweiser brewery sign

10 German Christmas Markets

There's nothing better for Christmas cheer, 
than German markets with lots of warm gear!

Picture the perfect winter wonderland scene. It's filled with snow, Christmas lights, pine trees, the smell of hot cider, and a fire, right? If that's the scene you imagined, then you are speaking my language. Actually, you are speaking German. German Christmas markets, though extremely cold, have given me very unique and authentic Christmas experiences. I was lucky enough to visit 10 Christmas markets this year (4 were in Munich, within walking distance of each other, but they still count). I was even more blessed to be able to visit them with both family and friends.

One of the most unique things about German Christmas markets is the gluhwein mugs. These sacred mugs are hot items (with Americans anyways). Every market has their own special gluhwein mug and it is popular (and fun) to collect a mug from every market. I am proud of my 6 mug collection. They all bring back wonderful memories. Plus, mugs are just nice to have.

My German Christmas market mug collection (left to right: Nuremberg, Guteneck, Dresden, Munich Residence, Munich nativity, and Regensburg)

The first market I went to was with our church, The Graf House. Unfortunately, Justin couldn't make it, but I was with a wonderful group of people to make my first market very enjoyable. We went to the Guteneck medieval themed market on opening day, so we were able to see a parade, complete with the Christmas Angel and marching bands. Guteneck also had a live nativity scene with commentary. Unfortunately, the commentary was in German, but at least I know the Christmas story, so I could follow along well. There were camel rides available, and people dressed straight out of the medieval time period. Fox furs were definitely the hit item back then. Luckily, there were warming fires, and an area inside a huge tent with heating lamps. Despite the cold (and it was freezing), inside the tents plenty of Germans were still throwing back beers. Personally, I stuck with gluhwein, because it's hot and kept my numb hands warmer. I had spaetzle for the first time and it was awesome. It's basically German style mac and cheese. I also had some tiny fried doughnuts that were probably really bad for me, but really warm and tasty. Overall, it was a great experience to start off my Christmas market adventures.

Part of the parade

Christmas Angel

The second market I went to was in Dresden. I took a train with a group of Army wife friends. It was a 4 hour trip one way, but it was totally worth it. Dresden had a giant Christmas pyramid, which was absolutely breathtaking. I also experienced my first langos. This is basically fried bread with a garlic/butter spread, topped with sour cream and cheese. Needless to stay, it was delicious and I have been craving one ever since. The downside to Dresden was the set-up. There were so many stalls (booths) and they were so compacted in that it was very crowded. However, my favorite mug came from Dresden (the third mug from the left in my mug picture), and this is where I found a lot of cute Christmas items to send home to my friends and family.

Giant Christmas Pyramid

So magical

It was worth the cold

Next, Justin (finally made it to a market!) and I went to a Christmas market with some of my CrossFit friends. The market was in a small town near us called Kemnath. It was a cute little market, complete with a snow hill for the kids. Of course, I slid down it too. This was way smaller than Dresden, and unfortunately, it didn't have it's own mug, probably because it was only open for that weekend. We still had a fun time drinking gluhwein from Styrofoam cups and eating brats and candied almonds (my favorite).

Justin and me in front of the local band

Jill and me on top of the snow hill

The day after the Kemnath market, Justin and I went to the Grafenwohr market in our town. This market was even smaller than Kemnath and was only being held one day. Again, they didn't have mugs, and there was a small selection of stalls, but a choir of German school kids sang, so that was sweet. Unfortunately, we didn't take our camera to this market.

The next weekend Justin and I headed to Regensburg, to the Romantic themed Christmas market. This was similar to the Guteneck market, but a little more "modern" and people weren't running around in their fox furs here, though there were a few for sale. I loved the greenery that covered all the roofs of the stalls. There were warming fires all around the market and torches along the pathways. The best part about this market was that it was located outside of the Thurn and Taxis Palace, so it had great scenery. Plus, inside the courtyard of the palace was a giant Christmas tree, which was really pretty. It was fun being at a bigger market with Justin because we were able to buy some things to add to our newly married Christmas decoration collection.

Justin at the entrance

Me in the courtyard

I found another LANGOS

Justin has our bag full of Christmas goodies and notice my blue gluhwein mug

 The next 4 markets we went to were all in Munich with my parents! It was so wonderful to have my parents here for Christmas. We went on a tour of these 4 Christmas markets, which included a medieval market and a nativity themed market. We learned a lot about the history of Christmas markets on our tour. Interestingly, they started as a way for people to buy supplies and create revenue during Germany's cold months. They started out being only a week long, but turned into a month ordeal, because they became so popular. I was only able to get 2 mugs from these markets, because the tour didn't allow us enough time to buy gluhwein at every market. I still enjoyed the Munich markets and walking around with my family, even if I couldn't fully add to my mug collection.

Justin and me in front of the cuckoo clock and giant Christmas tree in the main market area

Mom, me, and Dad in front of a Munich store decorated for Christmas near the nativity market

Justin and I in a yet another market in Munich

Most of the Christmas markets are open from the last week in November until the day before Christmas Eve. This was a bummer because my parents came 3 days before Christmas Eve, so many of the markets were closing. Have no fear though, we did some research and found out the Nuremberg market was still open Christmas Eve. Nuremberg marked my last German Christmas market for the season. We went in the morning and did some last minute shopping so my parents could buy German Christmas decorations. We also bought stollen bread for our Christmas Eve dinner. Stollen bread is traditional German bread that is quite tasty.

Justin, me, and Dad overlooking Nuremberg on the roof of the Imperial Castle

Overall, my German Christmas market adventures were amazing. It was so fun seeing how the German culture celebrates Christmas. What was even more interesting was learning that many of the Christmas traditions my family does are alined with German culture. It was nice to see the "roots" of where it all originated. Thanks to all of my family and friends who helped me experience such a magical Christmas time. It was my first Christmas as a married woman, and it is one I will never forget. I am sure I will will not experience beautiful, authentic Christmas sights that can compare to a German Christmas market.

LONDON: Our newest LOVE

What do you get when you mix being able to speak English with amazing historical sights? London! Justin and I have found our new favorite place. London was so wonderful, and it was so full of things we both love.

On our first day there we took the tube from the airport to our hotel. We initially had a hotel crisis, but thanks to Justin's Ranger skills we found the correct hotel and were able to officially begin our adventures!

On the tube, heading to CockFOSTERS ;)

After checking into our hotel we had a bite to eat at The Three Stags. This was my first experience with London fish and chips (yummy) and some delicious cider beer. Then, we took a little stroll, and low and behold, look what we happened upon!

Big Ben, Parliament, and the Thyme River

London Love

As we continued our journey to the Westminster Abbey, we had quite the find:

A gigantic leaf

Westminster Abbey

 We kept walking and found the queen's palace, but unfortunately she wasn't home.

Buckingham Palace

Before taking a night ride on the London Eye, we hopped on the Hispanola for some drinks. Then, by chance we found the Southbank Christmas Market, which was a great way to end our Thanksgiving.

On the Hispanola--London Eye in the background

Kiss at the Southbank Christmas Market

View from the London Eye

 The next day we headed to Shakespeare's Globe Theater. This was such a wonderful experience for me because I have always loved Shakespeare. It was great to see the Globe replica mirror Shakespeare's actual Globe Theater so perfectly. The tour was very informative, and I was happy to realize my Shakespeare history was actually quite good. Cheers!

In front of Shakespeare's Globe

The Globe stage

We found The Anchor Pub, which is a pub Shakespeare used to drink at

After stopping for some London Pride at The Anchor Pub, we headed onward with our journey. We found the London Bridge, the Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. It was interesting to learn that the Tower of London was basically a prison and place of exile for some kings back in the day. All of these were quite impressive. It was fun to be in the presence of such famous landmarks.

London Bridge

Tower Bridge

Tower of London

Later that night we head to St. Martin's Theater to watch Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap". This show holds the Guinness World Record for the longest running show. The queen was there 10 years earlier to celebrate its 50th anniversary. We were able to be there for its 60th anniversary. "The Mousetrap" was full of mystery and suspense. We both really enjoyed it, along with a few cider beers.

At St. Martin's Theater for "The Mousetrap"

We saw show 25,005

The next day we experienced typical London weather. It rained all day and was a bit chilly walking around. However, we still made the best of our time. We went to the Churchill Cabinet War Rooms. This was a great experience for Justin. He (and I) enjoyed learning about Winston Churchill's role during World War II and seeing the war rooms set-up as they were during the war.

Rainy, London Day

Justin and a guard from World War II

Our afternoon consisted of some pub hopping. We went to The Red Lion, which was a pub Charles Dickens used to drink at. Then we had our lunch at Taylor Walker Pub, where Justin finally had his meal of fish and chips. After lunch we headed to The Sherlock Holmes Pub. The pubs in London are so fancy compared to American pubs, and they were all decorated for Christmas.

The Red Lion Pub

The Sherlock Holmes Pub

Once our pub walk was finished we went to the Westminster Abbey for a choir and prayer service. We were not allowed to take pictures inside, but the arch ways and stained glass windows were gorgeous. The choir's singing echoing through the Abbey was such a sweet sound. Plus, it was fun to say I've been in the church Kate and William were married in :)

Waiting to go in the Westminster Abbey

After this it was off to The Westminster Arms pub for some more beer, yum. Then we headed to the Hyde Park Christmas Market. Along the way we found the Arch of Wellington, which is the arch James Bond drives under :) The Hyde Park Christmas Market was more like a carnival than a market, but we found a cute London Christmas ornament for our tree and had some good food. The spiced wine however, was not as good as we were hoping it would be. The market was a great way to end our wonderful trip to London! We definitely want to go back to London some day!

The Westminster Arms Pub

Arch of Wellington

Winter Wonderland--Hyde Park Christmas Market

It's safe to say London has stolen our hearts :)