Christmas Windows

Hey, the 12 days of Christmas aren't over yet!

It's Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Austria!

12 Days - Spreading Some Christmas Cheer

The original members of Straight No Chaser perform their comedic version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" at the Musical Arts Center, Bloomington, Indiana. December 7th, 1998.

I urge you to watch, it's definitely worth it. Enjoy!

And thanks to my sister for the link.

Goldgasse

Welcome to my favorite street

in Salzburg during Christmas time:
Goldgasse
How often can you spot
my loyal little curly-haired friend?

Christmas Medley

Salzburg Christmas Images

Secret Christmas market
in a small courtyard

This little white dog
can always be counted on
when wandering through Goldgasse.
(A street that I've not done justice
with this picture.)

Cafe Tomaselli in the Christmas spirit.

Various versions of
St. Nikolas and the Krampus

Christkindsmarkt on the Residenzplatz
on a rainy day
(of which we've had many).

And my favorite stand
at this very market.

Christmas ornaments
and
Easter (?) eggs.

Don't hurry home too quickly.
There's still lots to see!

******
Considering I spent many hours wandering through the streets of
Salzburg's old town during this Christmas season,
I can't believe I don't have better pictures to show you!
Sure, they're ok,
but trust me when I say that these places are so much more magical in reality.
Either I will try to still get out into the city one more time tomorrow morning,
or you'll have to wait until next year.
Because: Tomorrow is the beginning of my Christmas vacation!
Three weeks of Vienna, here I come.

(De)Lights

A walk through

Vienna's first district
has suddenly become
much more illuminated:

Kohlmarkt

Am Graben

A blurry
(and purple)
St. Stephan's Cathedral

Is this Chinatown?
Or a Coca-Cola commercial?
No, it's Rotenthurmstraße!

Kärntner Straße

There's no need to be afraid of the dark anymore.

The Best Kind of Market

An absolute favorite at Christmas time:

Austrian Christmas Markets
or: "Christkindlmarkt"

If you're lucky,
you'll already discover
Christmas Fairies
on your way there.

Once you arrive,
you'll definitely need a basket
to fill with goodies.
(Tip: Take the big one.)

Ornaments, toys, gingerbread
await in every direction.

For more on the
non-edible version of this guy
(the Krampus)
click here,
if you dare.

She can't even decide,
which tasty treat
to recommend.
Heaven knows
there is enough
to go around.

Christmas treats
for everyone!

How about
a spot of tea
or Viennese coffee?

Oh, alright.
Some real tea then?

Now here's something
everyone can agree on:
Adorable Christmas chocolates.

All treats sighted at the
traditional Viennese Christkindlmarkt
on the Freyung.