Leuven Library at Christmas

Aachen and Volkenburg Christmas Markets

Aachen, Germany was magnificently decorated for christmas. I went to visit Susanne and Dieter family friends who are always so hospitable. We spent the evening in Aachen where I got to try glhuwin (hot wine) a festive european drink, bratwurst, chocolates, and experience the music and lights of German Christmas Markets.

The following day we went to Volkenburg, Holland where the markets are inside the caves. Years ago the Jews hid inside the caves in hiding and today they are used as huge Christmas Markets. It was nice though because it was so cold out, once you got inside you didn't feel a thing. We spent hours inside, it was neat.

Bruges Christmas Market

The Bruges Christmas Market made me feel like the main character in the most beautiful Christmas movie ever. Honestly, once it got dark and we went ice skating and the town lit up into this wonderland I was so worried I wouldn't be able to get the perfect picture but this one below does it really good justice. The whole town looked like a gingerbread village. It was unbelievable.

Sinterklaas

It snowed for six days here in Leuven. Bikes were snowed in and thank goodness my warm boots made it back with me after Thanksgiving. It made for a beautiful couple days though. Leuven is such a quaint town, I love it.

Sinterklaas is a holiday celebrated in Europe which starts the holiday season off. All the children leave their boots out, a note for sinterklaas, a beer, a carrot, and a sugar cube (kind of like our milk and cookies). Then we woke up in the morning to an orange, pear, chocolates, gingerbread, and coins inside out boot- granted we were good this year. He and his black petes, kind of like his elves, joined us in a big party where we all sung a christmas song and talked about our behavior this year. It was like a big roast and very funny. The season in Europe has been so much fun, can't wait to get home, but boy is the spirit here marvelous!