Polizei patrol Christmas markets, conduct DUI checks
During the holiday season, German Polizei patrol more and conduct more traffic controls in combination with DUI checks in the Westpfalz.
During the holiday season, German Polizei patrol more and conduct more traffic controls in combination with DUI checks in the Westpfalz.
The City of Sankt Wendel will hold its Christmas market combined with a medieval market Saturday to Dec. 15. More than 130 little decorated houses and booths will offer arts and crafts, gift ideas and regional culinary specialties from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Today, Germans observe “Nikolaustag,” or Santa Claus Day. Traditionally, on the night of Dec. 5, children place their boots outside their rooms to have them filled by Santa Claus with candy, cookies, nuts, oranges and little gifts during the night.
If you haven’t tasted it yet, go ahead! Stollen — or German Christmas bread — is a holiday season must have. With almonds, fruits and marzipan, this cake is a typical Advent delight in Germany.
The Christmas tradition has many variations around the world. Santa and his “friends” also take on different names, depending on the part of the world. Tomte, Sinterklaas, Ded Moros, Pere Noel, la Befana, Weihnachtsmann and Santa Claus are just a few of the titles given to this jolly holiday man and his friends.
Germany has already started ringing in the holiday season with the opening of many Christmas markets this week. And Kaiserslautern was no exception. Kaiserslautern’s market kicked off Monday. And during every Advent weekend, different villages in the KMC will start presenting their Christmas markets, too.
If you happen to be in the neighborhood of Bari, Italy, on Dec. 6, be sure to swing by and pay tribute to the remains of Saint Nicholas — not to be confused with Santa Claus, who is most certainly alive and well and won’t be leaving home this year until Dec. 24.
Celebrating Advent is such a lovely opportunity to get together and enjoy the spirit of the season.
Wherever Mark Twain trod, his fans are sure to follow. They trek to the American author’s homes in Hannibal, Mo., and Hartford, Conn. They cruise along the great Mississippi River by steamboat. Above all, they travel by imagination, soaking up his written word.