Weihnacht
As per Dutch law (which forbids mentioning of the upcoming feast to commemorate the birth of Baby Jesus before a certain steamboat leaves the Port of Rotterdam), I couldn’t disclose my lightning visit to our eastern neighbours, as they set up their traditional Christmas fairs in the bigger cities pretty early on. A quick day trip to Keulen/Köln/Cologne is pretty feasable, being just 2.5 hours away by car. Another event is of course a visit to the Dom, the biggest cathedral in the World.
Doesn’t look too busy eh ? *BZZZZZZZZZ* WRONG ! These little shops with food. drinks and Christmas trinkets attract millions and millions of people from the locale, but also from Dutchers, Belgians, the French and the Brits alike.
But that’s not just it, not only do you have some 5 markets spread over the city within walking distance, the whole city is one big shopping heaven, it’s kilometers after kilometers of different big and small shops. And even on Saturdays, where we Dutchers feel tired at 17.00 and close down already, the Germans will keep going for another 5 hours. Better check your savings account before heading out there.