We went to the Strasbourg, France Christmas Market two Saturdays ago. As I took this picture of Adam and the kids in front of this enormous tree, I looked around and wondered, "why is this square so empty?" Then last night I read more about the Berlin Christmas market attack that happened earlier this week and it said Christmas markets all over Germany, Belgium and France were preparing for attacks and that the one in Strasbourg, in the same square as this tree, was sparse on purpose: to have room to establish a field hospital in an emergency. It's harrowing to think about all the pain caused by the last few years of terrorist attacks that have happened all around us here in Europe. But people keep going, and celebrating.
Strasbourg is a three hour drive from our house. The kids never love Christmas markets, but on a long drive, they do love the car movies.
We were all pretty mesmerized by these little houses.
Sweet treats.
One of the smaller cathedrals in Strasbourg.
Jams.
Behold the big mama! Strasbourg cathedral was a sight!!
Tiny candles and tea sets.
Strasbourg is one of the top Christmas markets people talk about but it must've been smaller this year overall. There just wasn't much of anything. We walked around for several hours wondering, "Where's all the food?" There were a few crepe stands and that's it. So we stood in this line for 30 minutes. There was one Frenchman behind the burner. He was doing his craft masterfully and oh-so-slowly. We waited. We drooled.
Adam took the kids on the carousel. I gave Noah my camera. This is what he saw:
I love this picture of Sienna so much.
Red beret lady.
Concentrating on crepes.
And that was it. We bought the kids some small birds that chirped when you squeezed their stomachs (whyyy), I grabbed the only ornament that looked decent, and we got back into the car. And then our DVD player broke halfway home. Eek.
Last Saturday we went to Metz, France with our friends, Nate and Becky Packer, and their kids. Metz is only one hour from our house, so already we were in much better moods when we arrived.
And then we saw this sight! Jaw drop!!!
Further jaw drop! I love the juxtaposition of ancient cathedral and new-fangled Ferris wheel.
We started our visit by exploring the inside of the Metz Cathedral. This one took my breath away. It's now tied for first as my favorite cathedral evuh (Cologne, Germany is the other one). The stained glass in this one was out of this world. I try not to take pictures in cathedrals/churches out of respect...but I just couldn't resist this one. The picture is not great, but it does show a smidge of the awesome windows.
Here's the gang! We know the Packers from church but Adam and Nate also worked together on the same team.
About to board the Ferris wheel.
Some views from inside the ride.
Eye-level with the top spires. Spectacular.
The Metz rooftops were lovely.
Molesting Santa...
The night was falling and the lights were starting to sparkle.
Noah was very sad about being denied a balloon RIGHT NOW!!!!!
I love these life-size thingies. What are they called? I'm on the lookout for the small version of my dreams.
Cute candy stand.
Over-priced Olaf balloon: check.
Family pictures all around.
Expensive rides? Nahhhh, we'll slide down this wall 1,000 times.
Joyeuses Fetes!
