Marche de Noel

Since arriving in Paris, we have asked numerous people to lend us their opinion on "must-do" activities we might potentially add to our ever-expanding list. The list, though actually nameless, could ostensibly be called: "Seemingly Endless List of Must-Do Activities While in Europe." Or something equally clever and imaginative.

There is no exact science as to what makes the cut and is, indeed, added to this epic list. We employ a rather non-specific formula where we tally how appealing the idea seems to be to one or both of us, the cost versus perceived value (the old ROI), the relative ease with which we could accomplish the given activity, and, of course, how cool we deem the person who told us about the notion in question to be.

Because, as a rule, I do not take advice (solicited or not) from people whom I do not believe to be tres super cool. And, frankly, nor should you.

Just kidding--what do you think I am, a hypocrite? I am hardly burgeoning with coolness over here. I blog about unruly ducks, for pete's sake.

Anyway, several "trustworthy" sources indicated that visiting the Christmas Markets/ Marche de Noel in Strasbourg, France was a non-negotiable "must" during our stay in Europe. So, being the sheep we obvioulsy are, we booked the tickets.

We actually also did a fair amount of internet research and Strasbourg quickly revealed itself to be a place we wanted to visit--with or without the "famous" Christmas markets. So going there for these "amazing" markets obviously seemed like a rather worthwhile twofer. In terms of our list, the ROI on that guy seemed pretty solid.

You might want to know why we decided we wanted to visit Strasbourg, home of the oldest Christmas Markets in France? Well, for one thing, the city is essentially on the France-German border, and my husband was somewhat interested in having a bit of a "warm-up" for when we visit Germany later this winter. For another thing, I was highly intrigued by how the whole gastronomic situation might work out, given the geography of the city.

If you have not already ascertained as much: I am obsessed with food.

But even if you are not consumed by thoughts of consumption, you might still wonder how the whole Geman-French food fusion thing would play out. I mean how could you not? Fois gras with a side of saurkraut? An esgargot app and a main course of schnitzel, preceded by a kir, washed down with a beer and followed with a plate of camembert and roquefort and topped off with a hearty portion of apfelstrudel?

Mon dieu!

As it turned out, the menus were not so much German-French as they were German or French. The decor of the eating establishments seemed to be quite on the German side of things (lots of open space in the rather brightly lit restaurants, benches rather than tiny tables and chairs, servers wearing liederhosen/dirndl-esque ensembles). This turn of events seemed unfortunate to me, but I am admittedly biased to all things French.

Also, there were some restaurants that seemed to be experimenting with the fusion route, and were perhaps not doing so successfully. I cannot say for certain as we avoided these places since they did not appear to have oodles of patrons. So--big shocker--we ate French food. No complaints here, as anyone who knows me a smidgen knows that I prefer a savory crepe and a glass of Sancerre to a wienerschnitzel and a stein of Krombacher anyday of the week.

As for the Marche de Noel...well, Friday night it was a positively glorious experience. The city was decorated to the nines with Christmas trees, twinkling lights and holiday motifs. As we walked around the markets, looking at Christmas ornaments and drinking our vin chaud (hot wine), the air smelled of gingerbread and cloves. Snow was falling and it truly felt as though we were in a movie. Fa-la-la-la-la...

Just to cut the nausea you are undoubtedly feeling by my Christmas cheesiness, I will also tell you that it was colder than blue Jesus and frostbite seemed imminent during the whole affair.

And, the next morning, Christmas Delight turned into Christmas crowds. We felt a bit confused as we were jolted from our reverie that was the magical winter wonderland of the prior evening to come face to face with scads of determined shoppers (many of whom were eating grotesque quantities of food as they sloshed about), who were letting anyone and everyone who glimpsed their manic faces know that they came to play.

Oh, holiday cheer: there you are! And I thought you only existed in the malls of America.

Sorry, I cannot resist indulging my inner cynic. That said, Strasbourg was, on the whole, absolutely lovely. Go there, tout suite. And don't listen to closely to my disillusioned feelings from Saturday; I was probably just hung-over from the Christmas clove wine.