*All photographs by Shalini Rai*
My maiden experience of a Christmas Market was in Birmingham, UK in the winter of 2016. I had gone there for academics and serendipity ensured that my stay coincided with the 'German' Christmas Market.
Germany's Frankfurt is a 'sister city' of UK's Birmingham.
For first-timers, a Christmas Market is unlike any other market you might have seen hitherto.
There are fairy lights, lovely light decorations between streets, merry carousels and much more delightful stuff to bewitch you. Wooden stalls sell everything from chocolates to snow globes to candles, all with a distinct touch of Germany (it was so in Birmingham atleast) to them. I even spotted large red, green and yellow chillies dipped in chocolate! {Did not try them, because chillies just don't cut it with me ;-)}
The festivities around the Christmas Market in Birmingham were spread out over several weeks. First came the installation of the wooden stalls, which takes a few leisurely days. Then comes setting up the stalls with a profusion of delightful and delicious merchandise. Finally, once the merriment subsides and it's time to go home, the stalls are slowly dismantled and the streets seem emptier and less convivial.
My suggestion? Grab whatever chance you have of ever being at a Christmas Market. If it's in Europe or somewhere near the north Atlantic Ocean, the better. Once you are at a Christmas Market, the 'bitter' cold turns 'sweet' amid all the gaiety and if there's snow, however mild, it really seems like you have just done some time travel and landed back in an era when winter spelt childlike joy and a cup of hot chocolate (which I had with a merry bunch of friends) tastes more delicious than the choicest wine.
Many Christmas Cheers! And a Happy New Year...!
