Regular readers of this blog already know we’re pretty smitten with Vienna’s beauty, tradition, and general zest for the good things in life. During this time of year, there is probably no single better exemplar of this beautifully traditional zest for living than Weihnachtsmarkts (or Christkindlmarkts or Adventmarkts) that cover the city. We visited ten such markets in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and each one had its own unique feel and attitude, but they did share some basic qualities. In purely function terms, they can be defined as open-air markets where people in small huts sell gifts and Christmas-related decorations ranging from mass-produced kitsch to one-of-a-kind works of art. In addition to the huts hawking wares, there are always plenty of huts dispensing copious amount of really good food and drink too.
What make the markets so remarkable though isn’t necessarily what you can purchase, drink, or eat – it’s the staggering quantity, diversity, and joyful intrepidity of the attendees! It didn’t matter if it was snowing, raining, sleeting, windy, or just really cold – thousands of people, locals and tourists, the old and the young, the tall and the small were all out with family and friends, perusing the displays, eating würstel, drinking hot punch, and having an absolute ball! We couldn’t help but smile at the collective glad tidings of comfort and joy.
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