Weihnachtsmarkt in Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin

After work today, the Bosch group in Berlin met at the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) at Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin-Mitte. This weekly (Stammtisch) get-together is usually indoors in a warm restaurant or bar, but this time was different! Beforehand however, Brian and I had a short dinner at my apartment. We stepped out into the rainy night and took the 5-minute walk over there, trying to stay dry.

The Weihnachtsmarkt was a typical one - with lots of little booths selling all types of little gifts, sweets, and random handicrafts. But the Glühwein was the brightest highlight by far. Glühwein is a very traditional hot spiced wine that is served in mugs at outdoor events in Germany in the winter. A cursory survey of the market landscape revealed that revenues at the Glühwein booth were clearly the highest, followed maybe by the grill serving various meat products. The Germans really love their meat here.

Huddling under the umbrellas to avoid the rain wasn't easy because space was limited. But the Stimmung (atmosphere) lifted as a live band dressed in santa claus costumes started playing (fairly corny) christmas music. It is hard to believe that Christmas is less than 2 weeks away! Alas, I had little time to check out the goods being sold. Maybe tomorrow night.

It was a pleasant evening with great friends and conversation. The holiday season has officially arrived, at least for me.

Enjoying a light dinner at my apartment with Brian

Some of the Bosch group at the Weihnachtsmarkt: Me, Michael, Brian, Emily, Zuzanne, and Catherine

Fellow fellow Catherine (also from the fine state of NJ) and I