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I know that I can be too cynical – Visiting the Rixdorf Weihnachtsmarkt.

Winterwelt am Potsdamer Platz

Last Year’s Glühwein was at Potsdamer Platz. Yuck.

One of the big traditions in Germany this time of year is the obligatory cup of glühwein at a Christmas market – having been wiped out the last week due to illness, I ventured to my first Christmas market today – the Rixdorf Weihnachtsmarkt, which is supposed to be super awesome.

I cannot tell you if it was super awesome or not – I got there, with two adult friends and one child, around 2:30 – shortly after it opened – while there was still room to breathe. We then spent an hour walking around the entire market looking at stuff for sale – as we made our way around, it became progressively more and more and more crowded, to the point where one could just lift ones feet off of the ground and be swept along with the crowd.

This is, to me, beyond the point of fun. It’s the point where I just want to get the hell out of dodge.

(I might note, I actually bumped into a colleague outside of work for the first time since… uh… August, when I discovered that I have a colleague living three doors down.)

So we left – I spent a grand total of 3,50€: 2 powdered sugar waffles (one for me, 1€/each) and one ride on a small flying merry-go-round (for the child—who also ate the other waffle). This was a lot less than what I’d budgeted: I’d planned on one or two glühweins and make one random Christmassy-like object.

I have at least one more attempt at drinking Glühwein planned for later this week – hopefully I’ll be successful. Some how December in Germany without at least one glühwein just isn’t December.

5 comments to I know that I can be too cynical – Visiting the Rixdorf Weihnachtsmarkt.

  • mateo

    I hate it when something fun can be ruined by too many people being there. Then you just have to make the best of it and try to find something good in all the madness!

  • MicheleJ

    I can also be too cynical. You could not pay me to go to a Christmas market on a Sunday at 2:30. If we go at all, then late morning on a weekday.

  • Meike

    Believe it or not – you even chose the best time for this market. Right after the opening at 2:00 it’s at least only a bit crowded. The hell really starts after it got dark and the “romantic” petroleum lights are on. As organiser of a stall on the market I know what I’m talking about…

  • Koko

    The Chicago market is also unpleasantly busy. I went in the afternoon in the middle of the week. Terrible.

  • I miss the Christmas markets! Despite the crowds of Kinder and Kitsch, there are some quality items for sale there, and the atmosphere is unbeatable. I wish you all the best in seasonal, non-denominational and apolitical holiday greetings.