'Tis the Season

I spent the day yesterday doing some things that are typically German. Some friends and I went to a Christmas Market (Weihnachts Markt) in Berlin and had some great experiences. On the way there we found a hot dog vending machine and a french fry vending machine in one of the train stations. I've included a picture of the french fry machine. In just 45 seconds you can have a cup full of steaming hot french fries! The salt and ketchup pop out of the second hole to the right. America is known for having it all, but I have to say that I think Germany has one up on us here. The fries were decent!

The other pictures are of the Christmas Market. Here's a description of German Christmas Markets that I found online.

"The streets leading to the market are attractively decorated with white poles bearing Christmas symbols, garlands of fir and pretty lights. At the center of the market there is a crib, its wooden figures telling the Christmas story. Every visitor to the Christkindlesmarkt pauses to have a look at it. The market stalls are decorated with branches of fir and lit by lanterns. Most sell Christmas decorations, gold-foil angels, little prune figures made of dried fruit and crepe paper - the famous "Zwetschgenmaennle", spicy Lebkuchen cakes and toys. The opening of the market is a very popular festivity. At dusk the Nuremberg "Christkind", who is newly elected every two years, recites a prologue from the balcony above the entrance to the Frauenkirche, accompagnied by festive music. Children sing carols in front of the church.
... Little booths are lined up, and sell everything from hand-made ornaments to musical clocks - playing slow, sad-sounding Christmas tunes. The crisp wintry air is filled with the aroma of Stollen (baked fruit bread), Bratwurst, roasted almonds, and Lebkuchen (gingerbread), a spicy cookie. Another favorite is Gluehwein, a red wine, which is heated up over fire and served in steaming cups. You can pay to keep the Gluehwein mug, and thus save the memory of the Christkindlesmarkt."