Travel/Eat: Cologne, Germany - Christmas Markets

I happened to have go to Amsterdam back in early December for work.  Like any fun minded traveller, I made sure to book my flights to include a free weekend in order to explore the city some more.  I ended up staying and meeting with a Chicago friend of mine, Stacy, in Amsterdam.  Coincidentally another friend and colleague of ours, Dane, was in flying into town from working in Berlin for the weekend as well.  With such a fun group - what would we do?  Exactly! Christmas markets!

There is not one, not two, not three, but four old Christmas markets in Cologne, Germany. These are located at the Rudolfplatz, Alter Markt, Neumarkt, and the largest/most impressive one by the Cologne Cathedral. It took about a 3.5 hr drive (with some snack and comfort stops) from Amsterdam to Cologne on the highway.  

After a spin around to look for parking we ended up right by the Cathedral (PS: Ladies have special designated parking - it's in places close to get to and well lit for safety).

The Cologne Cathedral is very impressive as you can see.  We didn't have a chance to go inside, however, as the smell of the food beckoned to us along with all the red-awning covered stalls. 

 The majority of the stalls sold ornaments, wood toys/trinkets, some glassware, jewelry, and and lamp shades.

I ran into this nativity scene in front of the Cathedral.  Thought it was particularly beautiful due to the brick castle in the back and bronze figurines. In the States, it's all too common to see painted or plastic figures.

Of course everyone decided to visit the food stalls first.  Currywurst (above) is a very traditional pork sausage cut up rather served in a roll, topped with a thick curry ketchup and then sprinkled with a bit of curry.  It's one of my Christmas favorites!

Below are 2 yes...2 servings of delicious potato pancakes with applesauce.  Don't worry, we shared! After the sausages, I can say that piping hot bites of potato pancake dipped in the cold applesauce makes for a very fulfilling meal.

Here we are full and happy after the meal!  Now onwards to shopping and pictures around the market.

Next we stopped at the Rudolphplatz Christmas market. It is the most "fairy tale" as there are fairy tale figures around the entrance, a lot of eye catching decorations as well.  Onwards to the pictures!

The entrance. On the top left - you could see a slowly spinning tree where gnomes on swings were rotating around.

I liked this one the best - it was a tree hung with lots of heart ornaments.  At times, I accept my girly tendencies. :)   

One of the best parts of the evening was when it started to get quite cold.  We found a stall that sold large skewers of roasted meat.  

We each polished a few off and then found an amazing pub called Papa Joe's Jazzlokal.  http://www.papajoes.de/about-papa-joes/  

The place was warm, cozy, and to top it off - life size anamatronic muppet/puppets that played jazz! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting a beer or two or a gigantic LITER of beer at once.   

It had these old style Pornographic peep shows.  It didn't work though.

Puppets!

A few more shots of the market at night as we made ourselves to the car warm, happy, and very full.