Markets, a Creche, Glugwein, and Roman Ruins -- Pre Weihnacht in Mainz

Marion, Weina and I went on an adventure yesterday. Les petites Chouxs are by a gigantic cabbage at the flea/farmer's market close to our dwelling.

Once we arrived in the city center, it was clear that Christmas is around the corner. Today is the first day of Advent (I am told).

At the Weihnachts Markt in the plaza by the dome (cathedral), one of the first stalls we visited had many different kinds of glugwein (hot mulled cider) and many customers. Marion bought us a round -- with raspberry in it. Great for chilled bodies and frozen fingers.

There are perhaps as many as 80 little wooden stalls with a wonderful variety of potential presents, viands, and decorations. Each is numbered so that if you see something you want you can always go back and find the stall later.

It snowed in the morning, but only a few places were slick with ice or snow. No-one lets the weather stop them from their enjoyment.

Young and old simply bundle up or are bundled up and go out for activities. Again, the pedestrian friendly city center encourages a sense of community and intense activity.

We visited a creche set up by Saint Boniface right outside the cathedral. Marion said that in France the baby Jesus is not put in the cradle until Christmas Eve.

This baby Jesus looks like he's been around a while. I'd say he is at least 50 years old if not more.
Still happily waving his fat little arms and being adored by his parents and all and sundry.

In keeping with the spirit of joy, I happily drank the rest of my glugwein......

At noon sharp there was meditation in the cathedral. A few words by the priest and organ music.

The chair, like these, was cushioned and set on the heating vent. How lovely to rest and thaw out toes and fingers will contemplating how good life was at that moment and all the friend, family, and other good things in my life that I have and can be thankful for.


Lest you get the idea that all city center is "quaint", a simple 180 degree turn from the Weihnachts Markt shows another aspect of downtown.

Still there are the 'restored' buildings. Some like this, bedecked in Christmas wreaths and other decorations.

These little buskers were doing quite well with the Saturday, holiday crowd. Her flute playing was quite good, especially considering her fingers must have been stiff from the cold.

These, were playing and singing lovely music, but weren't doing as well financially. Maybe they had just begun.

While looking for a restaurant, we came across a gigantic candle outside one. We went on and found a delightful, cozy, two storied restaurant with fantastic food. Weina had pig knuckle, Marion, veal cutlets, and me steak, onions, and pommes frittes. Ummm, Ummmm, Good.

Marion, working on her PhD in archaeology took us to the museum in the Roman Passage that shows the remains of part of the old Roman City here. Mainz obviously has an incredibly long history.

"Give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning. Give me oil in my lamp, I pray. Give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning. Keep it burning 'til the break of day." Hymn I leaned as a child. These are tiny oil lamps found in the dig. Amazing how many eons people have used oil lamps.

Below is an example of writing found on one of the artifacts in the dig. THE DAY AND THE COMPANY WERE GREAT FUN.