Hans is standing in line at the border crossing between Germany and France waiting to go through passport control. Finally he gets to the head of the queue.
“Occupation?” Say’s the French passport official.
“No” says Hans “I’m just coming on vacation”
Yesterday evening the Hughes’ and the Malcolms descended on Leeds German christmas market. Kerry and her family spent a large proportion of their lives living in Germany and so to them it’s yearly appearance heralds the arrival of much loved delicacies. To a true bred Englishman like myself dishes such as toffee covered grapes and weird deep fried potato cake things are an abomination against nature. Give me good old fashioned British dishes like chicken rogan josh or spaghetti bolognese any day of the week.
Kerry samples the deep fried mashed potato thingies of her youth
The market was a little disappointing in that it was exactly the same as it was last year. The same food, the same rides, and the same vendors. Even the various ornaments and trinkets on the stalls were put in precisely the same places as they were last Christmas (and I have the photos to prove it).
Damn Germans, they’ll stick their flag in anything
Still, it was a lot of fun; and the kids enjoyed themselves. Kerry and i even got to go out to a noodle bar afterwards (see, proper British food) while the Grandparents and Uncle Neil ferried our children back on the train.
Oh, and this is actually my Advent colander entry for the 9th, I just didn’t have time to do it yesterday. The photo’s were taken last night though so it still counts.
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They have the same market in Birmingham, and by the same, I mean identical. And what makes it worse for me is there is about 50 stalls but only about 5 types, so it is like a scene from the Coyote cartoons, constant repeating back ground.
Plus their gingerbread is rubbish. Snitzel Mitzle.
We usually end up having a good time too. Grandparents procrastinating over the quality wooden toys, ‘you just don’t see anymore’, you mean apart from annually at the same stalls in this market? And me seeking out the Haribo stall while Max chooses who to accompany him on that particular go of the carousel ride.
SingleParentDads last blog post..Cinco Questions
well..but I dó like ‘bratwurst’ with curry.
or ‘gluhwein’. We sometimes go to the Oldenburg christmas market.
Arjans last blog post..A shadow of myself
I also spent a large part of my childhood living in Germany (RAF brat) so I love these sort of places. Mmmmm Arjan has got me craving gluhwein now!! I don’t have a clue if there is one near me – I need to find one asap ;o)
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One of the things I like about all the German budget supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, is that around this time of year you can get Stollen, chocolate-covered gingerbread shapes, and all sorts of unusual treats you don’t see in regular stores.
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That is one of the classics of all time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k7U-_tJVmw
PS- fried potatoes, whether Kartoffellpuffer or your basic eastern European/jewish latkes (a Hanukkah treat) are the stuff that holds the world together, ask any physicist. You English should not be let anywhere near a mashed spud (ugh).
JJ Daddy-Os last blog post..Adventures in Parenting ch. 403
I’m afraid the yorkshire Lass is coming out again. I too went to a Continental market in Birmingham and yes it was exacty as you described.
I don’t know if I would like any of that German food – I can’t pronounce it so don’t ask for it! I do however like leibfraumilsch or however you spell it.
SingleParentDad – I’m glad you said that as I’ve been half tempted to give the one in Birmingham a go in case it was more interesting. We went to Prague for the christmas markets about six years ago (six years? Blimey) and that was really good.
Arjan – Ahh, but your a bit foreign yourself so can your taste really be trusted?
Penelope – Kerry is an Army brat. She’s a pain to go with round Aldi because she keeps spotting childhood sweets she used to have.
Pandora – Like everyone else in the country we’ve been dabbling in Aldi and Lidl at the moment. I must admit i’m not keen, mainly because of the lack of choice but also because I just can’t work out what’s in some of those packets.
I’m coming across as a real conservative her, I’m not honestly!
JJ Daddy O – “But you started it”, “No we didn’t, you invaded Poland!”
Gail – The sausages are very nice, I can testify to that. But those crazy Germans have a different word for everything.
Sounds like a great way to get yourself in the spirit, if you weren’t already there.
Jamess last blog post..Take 1
It’s French market territory down here. I’m convinced they bring over their seconds to palm off on us tasteless south-Londoners.
Did they have currywurst? I’ve definitely a weakness for currywurst.
(un)relaxeddads last blog post..The most important thing is…
But you just told Gail I do have taste because those bratwursten are probably the sausages you’re talking about! Aside from that..yeah probably.
@ Gail: liebe fraumilch…or thé cheapest and sweetest white wine you can find *blegh* haha.
The whole Lidl talk is darn funny too because at the moment there’s a song going round (bie de Lidl -> at the Lidl) here made in my local dialect (Gronings – kinda like Dutch..but different) but the general idea is probably clear.
That Fawlty towers vid made me laugh VERY loud. It also made me think of Sinead O’Connor’s Drink before the war
Arjans last blog post..A shadow of myself
Mmmmm, chocolate covered fruit… and bratwurst… and chips with mayonnaise… yum! Taking me back to my youth now too.
I bet it was lovely. And the food looks good. :D
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