Chocolates, Snow & Fondue (II) - Dec 2015

Christmas Market @ Zurich

Christmas Market @ Zurich - The thought of going Christmas Markets already excites me as I started to source for good markets to go.  The mood, the songs, the partying and the whole atmosphere really impress me a lot when we went Munich the last round.  I like eating junk food there and drinking mulled wine.  Not a good drinker and my wife usually has to help me finish the wine.  


There were quite a few big ones and some claimed to be traditional ones.  As this round we were earlier than Santa Claus, so we could pick and choose which ones to go. Our schedule however was tight so we could not afford to see ALL markets.  The one at Zurich HBF was okay and normal and the only attraction to us was the spectacular Christmas Tree from Swarovski.  We took some pictures with the tree when the market was still closed. Haha, more space and angle to choose from.  The rest of the stalls were normal, selling food and even chinese food.

I like the one at Opera House best.  It was the first one that we went. Besides a German Toy Wooden House (we bought a toy for our own Christmas Tree), the market was huge. There was also ice activities for kids. 

  
It was interesting to have the Opera House as the background for the market - something old something tradition. We spent some time here taking quick panning shots and amazed at the circular patterns formed and captured in our SD card.  I didn't even notice them until my wife told me. My eye for details not as instinctive now.  

Something caught our attention was an entourage of Santa Claus - both males and females. They were made up of old uncles and aunties riding on motorbikes - still as fit! Dunno why I am usually more sporty when travelling and took a picture of a tall old Santa with his favourite bike. Say Cheese.  Wonder what motivate them?



As we were in Switzerland, the Christmas Markets were also full of chocolates.  Initially, the chocolates looked so "soapy" like the lush soaps that my wife were eyeing back in London.  I am still a bit confused and puzzled over the similarity in colour.  For me, I was looking not for the chocolates at market but some traditional chocolates outlets or shops. I "forced" my wife to take pictures with the chocolates even though we didn't buy any.  She was sporting this time round. 



One thing that we would do in Christmas Markets is to drink mulled wine, and if possible collect the cup. Most shops were selling the wine (hot ones) in paper cups, and we finally found one with the festive cups.  About 6 Swiss Franc for the drink and cup (if you like it, no need to return cup).


This time round, we didn't collect the cup after some drinking and deliberation. We have two from Munich and this one will be three. Too bad we were very practical people who started and agreed that we dun really have much use for the cups back homie. Haha. 

Another thing is to eat hot steamy junk food. Sausage is one of them.  Frankly, they were not the best and marche may have better ones, but the mood needs to be there. Eating junk food - usually we were given a paper plate - rectangular ones - and we would hold them in our hands and share. With people surrounding us while we stood and ate - the christmas mood was hanging in the air.

Christmas markets - we visited several others along our excursions.  Got one stall selling little red shoes and this reminded me of my wife's father who without fail got her a pair of red shoes (same design but different sizes) every year.  The other was a shop that sold cute little tortoises.  It was chanced upon by my wife. Very cute.

Well Well, we so like Christmas Marketing.